Why Spring needs to hurry up now please

I don't sew so much in winter.

I mean I do sew, but not as often or for as long. I prefer daylight for sewing and the longer days are obviously much better for this.

But as Spring approaches I start to get the itch to make.

So I'm currently deep into eyeing up projects that I want to wear this year.

The thing is, it's still too cold in the shop for easy breezy garments. I still feel the need to bundle up and wear lots of layers, and boots, plus a jacket most of the time.

I'm getting impatient now, I want to start making the following immediately, if not sooner! Click on photos for (non affiliate) links to the PDF patterns. Don't forget I can print your A0 patterns out here in the shop.

Nina Lee Carmel Jumpsuit

This is a pattern I found recently after the Pinterest algorithm quite rightly fed me a pair of Lucy & Yak dungarees I've never seen before.

I used to live in Lucy & Yak dungas before the quality dropped. I still have some pairs that I like to wear, but between this and the Heyday pattern below I don't think I'll be buying L&Y again unless they release something spectacular.

The basic shape is the same as the Carmel but the legs aren't as wide (this photo looks like it could be a maxi dress instead of a jumpsuit). However I think it should be ok to take a bit of width out of the legs to see how it turns out. The bodice also has options, this round neck version is the one I'll make first. But the V neck and strap version are nice too.

Helen's Closet Wildwood Jacket

The Wildwood has been sat in my collection for a while now, and whilst I haven't quite got round to making it yet, it would be a perfect Spring jacket to stave off the chill.

It requires some quilting which is why I have been putting it off. I know you can buy fabric pre-quilted but I don't like most of it as fabric designers still seems to think that ditzy florals are everyone's favourite. Not for me thank you, give me an abstract of geometric print any day.

Anyway, I'd like to get round to it as it seems to have techniques I haven't used before, so it'll be a good learn as you sew opportunity.

Fabric Godmother Aspen Dress

I spotted this dress when the fabulous Brogan of The Crafty Pie posted herself wearing it in a gorgeous brown corduroy.

I knew I needed it in my life, and again it's been sat in my collection for a while waiting the arrival of warmer weather.

I have a few variations of this style of dress now, but the reason I bought this one was because it has a zip instead of buttons.

If you like this style but prefer buttons I'd recommend the Sew Liberated Hinterland as it comes with various options like bodice buttons only, buttoned all the way through, or sleeveless.

Paper Theory Zadie Jumpsuit

Who can resist a Zadie? It's easy to make, even easier to wear and seemingly suits everyone.

I've made 3 of these now, my most recent made in bright green silk which was gifted to me by a lovely friend of mine called Karen. I'd never buy silk but who can resist FREE! I get compliments everywhere I wear it.

I've got some navy fabric I pilfered, erm... put aside, from the shop before it sold out, that's earmarked for this project.

The only adjustment I make is to lengthen the legs as I'm short enough without being cut off mid calf.

Waves & Wild Heyday Dungaree

If you don't already know about The Heyday Dungaree pattern but you love a classic L&Y style Dunga, this is the pattern for you. It has 5 pockets (instead of the L&Y standard 3), a relaxed fit and, is one of the simplest patterns I've ever made. I make one small change to the sewing order, don't finish the entire top edge turn under & topstitch before sewing the side seams together.

I've made a denim pair already which are too big, so it might be that I adjust those and save the denim I have for the next pattern.

Sew Liberated Cosecha Pants

I've been crushing on this pattern for ages but it looks like it might be a challenge.

I don't do fitting issues, and whilst these pants aren't exactly fully fitted, all trousers can be tricky as we're all different shapes.

I think from looking at the patterns I've chosen, you can see why I don't really need to make many adjustments; I don't wear overly fitted clothes. As a self taught sewist I've never learned how to adjust patterns to fit the body closely, why would I if I don't wear them?

This is also why I won't run a 'bring whatever pattern you want' session. My worst nightmare is 4 people turning up with 4 different patterns, all of which need several adjustments and me being completely useless and unable to help any of them!

But the other reason I want to make these as jeans is because of the next pattern...

Closet Core Kalle Cropped version

I originally bought this pattern years ago and have made both the shirt dress and the hidden placket cropped version of it like the one pictured here.

But how good is this going to look with the Cosecha pants above? Also I've never made the popover version of it so that's a new sewing challenge to take on.

It's such a great pattern, it's not exactly easy but it's worthwhile and satisfying sew, and that deep hem is so luxurious.

By this time tomorrow there will probably be more patterns to add to this, but for now I think this is enough to keep me very busy!

What patterns are you eyeing up this Spring, drop a comment and let me know.

Claire x