Spring Mini Capsule Wardrobe

Hi and welcome to the next stop on the Sly Fox Fabrics Mini Capsule Blog Tour!

In case this is your first stop on the tour, here is a quick summary of the challenge myself and a few other sewists from around the sewing community accepted:

• Select fabric from one of several collections put together by the Sly Fox Fabrics team
• Sew up new wardrobe pieces using fabric from the collection
• Incorporate a few existing wardrobe items from your closet into the capsule wardrobe
• Show off your capsule wardrobe mixing and matching the pieces to create different outfits

For fabric I chose the ‘Mandala Collection’ which consists of ivory double brushed poly, glen plaid navy double brushed poly, navy solid ponte de roma, mandala double brushed poly, sky blue double brushed poly, and mustard and ivory stripes double brushed poly.  I took it one step farther and decided my mini capsule wardrobe would mainly consist of business casual pieces.   As a work at home parent, most days I wear leggings and a t-shirt so I really wanted to step outside that comfort size and challenge myself to sew something different.

Since you are here on the 5oo4 blog, you’ve probably already guessed that many of the patterns I used were designed by 5oo4.  I pulled some of my favorite patterns from the closet and built my capsule wardrobe around them.

First up, here are the existing wardrobe pieces I used:

• Eleanor Cardigan made from burgundy french terry
• Store bought denim jacket
• Luna skirt made from a polka dot cotton spandex blend
• Store bought long sleeve yellow cardigan
• Maxi length Virginia dress
• Store bought pink shirt

Next, I used fabric from the ‘Mandala Collection’ to make:

• A reversible Nora bolero using the glen plaid and a mustard double brushed poly from my stash
• Knot Your Average top using the ivory double brushed poly
• A tank and separate knee length skirt from the Mandala double brushed poly using the Virginia pattern
• A long sleeved Nora bolero using the mustard and ivory stripes
• Wide legged pull on pants and a pencil skirt using the Navy solid ponte
• Camilla top using the sky blue solid double brushed poly

Glen plaid Nora, Camilla, and pencil skirt

For the most part I sewed each of the patterns per the instructions.  The exceptions were making the Virginia tank and skirt separate pieces.  The tank required adding length to make it a true tank.  Honestly I miscut and had to add a band to the bottom but with the busy mandala print I don’t think it’s too noticeable.  The other pattern I modified was Camilla.  I have a store bought shirt that is very similar but had pleats across the midsection.  I was able to replicate the top by adding length to the front bodice and gathering it on the sides.  The pattern includes a maternity option and you can certainly use those pattern pieces as a guide if you wanted.

I had so much fun creating different outfits using these 14 pieces.  In the end, I counted at least 25 different combinations to wear!

I did several layering pieces because I know how temperatures can be in some office environments.  It’s hot and humid outside but the office feels like a freezer.  I also like the option of layers being able to transition across different seasons.

While there are numerous articles on how to create a capsule wardrobe, I offer this suggestion-have fun!  As you can see I used a mix of prints and solids.  Don’t feel like you have to stick to solids and neutral tones.  Your wardrobe should be a reflection of you.

I certainly hope you found some inspiration from browsing my mini capsule.  Be sure to check out the other stops on the Mini Capsule Blog Tour.

Thank you so much to Sly Fox Fabrics for providing many of the fabrics pictured in my mini capsule wardrobe.