How to Sew a Capsule Wardrobe
What is a capsule wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe is a collection of garments which have been carefully curated so that they can be mixed and matched, giving you as many outfit options as possible from as few garments as possible.
Capsule wardrobes are useful for travel but they’re great for everyday wear too. If you are trying to transition to a handmade wardrobe, creating your own capsule collection is a great way to start.
How do I choose a colour scheme for my capsule wardrobe?
Many of the capsule wardrobes you see online use neutral colours to maximise wearability but when you’re making your own, you can be much more creative! I love the idea of starting out with one fabric you really love and building your capsule wardrobe out from there.
For example, when we were choosing fabrics for our Chelsea collection for Love Sewing magazine, we started with this stunning Liberty Tana Lawn print, which has a cream base with accents of blue and yellow. We knew this would look lovely dressed down with a denim skirt but it could also be dressed up with some smart trousers. The palette for our collection grew from this – we chose fabrics in blue, white and yellow, knowing that they would all sit together harmoniously.
What garments should I sew for my capsule wardrobe?
Broadly speaking, you want to start with a couple of tops, a couple of bottoms, a dress, a warm layer and an outer layer – so your capsule wardrobe could start with as few as seven pieces!
My top tip is to start with a multi-garment pattern. These collections are not only great value but they’ve already designed to create cohesive looks. We worked with the Simple Sew team on the Chelsea Collection and the Shannon Collection, so of course I can vouch for both of these being a great start, depending on your own personal style!
Many lists for capsule wardrobe collections include a little black dress – but really what they mean is a versatile dress which makes you feel good. The “little” and “black” parts are optional! What you should be on the look-out for is a dress that can be worn in lots of different contexts and which fits you really well. Stick to the same colour scheme as your separates so that your outerwear pieces and accessories can be mixed and matched.
Next, add your outer layers. I love the versatility of the Hayley ballet top which can be sewn in heavier weight jersey to create a cosy wrap cardigan. For a more relaxed feel, try the classic sweatshirt. Finally, you’ll need a coat – this can be a bit daunting so many sewists leave this piece til last. If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly option, try the Simple Sew Trench Coat – it’s a wrap style, so you don’t need to worry about buttons!
What fabrics should I use for my capsule wardrobe?
The specific fabric here isn’t as important as the quality. Look for a fabric which is easy to wash and care for and which will stand the test of time. You might also want to consider some fabrics with a little bit of stretch for some of your pieces. Many of us find that our weight fluctuates a little from time to time, which is completely normal. Building in some flexibility for fit will help increase the longevity of your garments.
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All of the pieces shown here are from two Simple Sew patterns - the Chelsea Collection and the Lucille dress.
If you sign up for CraftWorld Premium before the end of May 2021 you will get PDF versions of these patterns for free as part of your subscription (patterns will be available from 1st-31st May)! If not, you can buy the patterns from Simple Sew here: