When I started sewing, I didn’t think too much about the longevity of the garments I was making; I never considered whether I’d want to wear them in a year’s time, a few years’ time, or even a month’s time – I just made them for the fun of it.

Which is, of course, totally fine (we sew because it’s fun, right?), but taking this unplanned approach meant that I ended up with a wardrobe full of me-mades that didn’t go together, didn’t particularly fit my style or life, and therefore didn’t get worn very often. Not great after spending hours at my sewing machine stitching them.

So, inspired by this post by Heather at Closet Case Patterns and this post from Randomly Happy, I’ve put together a moodboard of my favourite prints and styles for spring and summer to make sure I don’t get distracted by all the fabric prettiness and sew something I’ll never wear (no promises, though).

The styles…

From left to right: image 1 – image 2 – image 3 – image 4 – image 5 – image 6

From left to right: image 7 – image 8 – image 9 – image 10

Oh, how I wish my wardrobe looked like this moodboard (come to think of it, I wish I looked like the ladies in this moodboard).

Although these styles aren’t exactly what I would wear (the top left image is too strappy and revealing for me, and the top right image is a bit too, erm, babygro for my liking, although I can imagine it looking amazing on someone taller), there are a few elements I’d like to steal:

• Square and boat necklines.
• Boxy, loose-fit silhouettes.
• Mid-length, floaty skirts.
• Statement sleeves (along with everyone else in the world at the moment).

I’ll be starting with the Tilly Dominique skirt I began making last summer and never finished in a crepe (see below for deets) from FC Fabric Studio (all I need now is a stripey top, a tan, and much, much longer legs, and I’ll be well on my way to looking like the gal in image 3…).

And, because I can’t possibly sew everything, I’ll also be on the lookout for vintage denim pieces and a new wear-with-everything biker jacket.

The fabrics…

From left to right: image 1 – image 2 – image 3 – image 4

To make sure I’ll want to wear my me-mades for a long time to come, I’ll be sewing them up in classic stripes, plains in quality fabrics, and modern, graphic prints (which I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of).

Not the most summery fabrics I’ll admit, but I’ve come to realise that brights and florals just aren’t really my thing. Plus, my summer wardrobe is basically my winter wardrobe without tights and layers, so I like to make things I can wear all year round (rather than only on the few sunny days we get here in the UK).

I’m going to try to sew from my sizeable stash as much as possible, so I’m hoping to finally get this rust crepe from FC Fabric Studio (image 1), stripe double jersey from Montreaux Fabrics (image 2) and grid print from Fabrics Galore (image 3) made up into garments (I’ve had them in my stash for MONTHS and I’d very much like to wear them now, please).

Having said that, I am currently lusting after this gorgeous hand-woven ikat from Offset Warehouse (image 4), so I might just have to make an exception and treat myself to a couple of metres.

So, now I have my moodboard sorted. All I have to do now is sew everything before the British summer is over. Which probably gives me about 4 days…

Like this? You might enjoy:

• My sewing inspiration Pinterest board.
• 6 problems only people who sew will understand.
• Time-management tips for sewing bloggers.
• Why sewing is (mostly) better than buying.