I divide the year up into three seasons:
1. So cold I have to wear a sweater (ie Winter, but really only January and maybe February)
2. Actually warm enough that I can go without sleeves (except in the case of air conditioning) (Summer, but really only July and August.)
3. Most of the year
I am certainly more cold natured than warm, so it’s lucky that I live in a (relatively) mild climate. I don’t mind the hot, humid summers at all, though people around me are complaining right now (average high this week: 93, with a ton of humidity.)
What this means for my sewing is that I need to make a whole lot of transitional items, and not so many things that can only be worn in extreme temperatures. It’s mid july, which means I should probably think about the rest of my summer sewing. So here are the ideas I have for the next few weeks:
Butterick 5490 in cotton/silk twill.
I’m almost definitely making this next. I like the pleating on the skirt, and I’ve been searching all summer for a pattern to go with this fabric. I’m thinking of doing the waistband in a contrasting fabric, what do you think? I like the mismatched print on the envelope, but my print is smaller, so it wouldn’t look as good. I think a contrasting colored band could look neat, or perhaps just black. I’m taking a swatch with me to the fabric store this afternoon to figure things out.
Vogue 1086, a Tracy Reese design, in rayon challis. I was thinking of using this for the ruffle dress I finished yesterday, but since I liked my muslin I’m repurposing this fabric. I love this design, and I think the print would work well – all the gathers around the waistband save me from too much matching!
I also want to make at least one of these open backed designs. I have some nice quality solid colored rayon challis that might be nice – both designs require a lot of drape, and I’m not currently buying 4-ply silk!
The magenta is pretty accurate, but the green is lighter and brighter in real life – more of a seafoam green. I really love rayon challis, if you can’t tell… it breathes, and it sews so beautifully! I also have this nice silk/cotton blend.
It’s more of a burgundy in real life. I fear the shininess of this fabric, though I suppose I could use the wrong side, which is not shiny. I might save this fabric for fall, since it is a more subdued color.
So there you go: my updated sewing plan for the rest of summer. I do, of course, have more things planned that could technically be called summer, but these are the ones I feel like need hot weather!
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
Ooh – pretty options! Your wardrobe must be full of nice dresses by now. Yesterdays dress looked lovely on you – I thought the colours really suited you.
If you can’t find a suitable contrast for the midriff of #1, piping could look quite nice too.
I love the design of the leopard cut-out-back dress, although you don’t really see it with that print! I think it would work nicely in rayon challis because it is so drapy. Happy sewing!
I love posts like this – it’s like a movie teaser of what’s coming next. I like Sherry’s idea of piping it for contrast, too.
I LOVE the blue brown fabric…maybe brown for the midriff band? Might be softer than black.
I guess great minds think alike! I just saw that Butterick pattern on sale at sewingpatterns.com and was thinking of getting it, and I thought of that blue floral fabric from Gorgeous Fabrics when I saw it!!! We seem to be on the same page lately!!! I love your picks – can’t wait to see them all made up :)))
I love the first dress, and your fabric choice for it. It is stunning. Can’t wait to see it made up!
THose are some lovely choices. I can’t wait to see them sewed by you!
I love your selections – fabrics and patterns!I agree with Sherry’s idea of piping (dress fabric,not contrasting) at the midriff.I especially adore the blue/brown combination.My mind’s eye tells me that a contrasting midriff would result in a chopped up look. The fabric has a beautiful drape so a continuous flow would be more eye pleasing. Oh boy, I sound way too technical for this early on a Sunday morning!
I wanted to suggest piping for Butterick 5490, too. I wouldn´t go with black for the midriff band,but maybe it´s just my monitor fooling me colour-wise and you know better. Anyway, have fun sewing those gorgeous dresses! The open-back ones will look especially great on you!
Greets
Hanna
I also love rayon challis, my part of the world is hot 7/12 months so its nice to be able to wear a fabric that keeps one cool. It also helps that most of the time I can get it for $4/yd 🙂
Nice picks for the remainder of summer!
Lovely line-up of patterns and fabrics and the cotton/twill/silk is down right gorgeous.
Oh! I really like the Vogue 1086 pattern. I’ll be looking forward to seeing that finished. =]
I think a contrast waistband for the first dress would be lovely!
My mum sewed that Vogue dress for me last summer. It is a great pattern! There are some pictures here:
Good luck with yours!
Fun! Lots of pretty things on your summer to-do list. I have the pattern for that Tracy Reese dress so I’m looking forward to your version!
For your contrasting colour — maybe something that echoes some of the colours in the dress, like bright blue or brown? Let us know how it goes!
The first outfit (and your fabric selections) are simply to DIE for. I cannot wait to see them.
I am also going to start Butterick 5490! I’m doing it in a black/lavender/rust print with a contrasting solid rust midriff. I didn’t think of the piping as others suggested but that would be nice too. Looking forward to your progress as I am a beginner and any help is so appreciated.
You are so encouraging with all your projects. I haven’t sewn in years, but, I’m tempted to start again after seeing all of your lovely projects. Thanks.
I have that cotton/silk twill, but still haven’t gotten around to sewing with it. 😦 I’m excited to see your dress though.