Fall Sewing & Knitting: Planning with MyBodyModel, by Whitney

Remember Whitney’s lovely travel wardrobe plans? She’s back with another inspiring wardrobe planning post, this time using her body model croquis sketch pages for fall sewing & knitting planning. Read on for a peek into Whitney’s cozy and beautiful fall wardrobe plans!

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If you’re in the Northern hemisphere, you’re hopefully feeling a nip in the air and sipping on something pumpkin-flavored, because it’s autumn now! And if you’re a garment sewist, your mind has probably started to wander to fall sewing. A couple of months ago, I pulled together the fabric stack pictured below in anticipation of the changing seasons. Since then, I’ve done some sewing, acquired a few new fabrics, and sketched out my plans using my custom My Body Model croquis sketch pages– but before I get into that, I’d love to walk you through my inspiration process!

For me, fall is all about combining color, texture, and pattern. I love layering one of my handknit sweaters over a printed dress, and this year my color palette is inspired by a mix of juicy autumn fruits, late afternoon sunlight, and traditional autumn favorites like camel, navy, and charcoal gray.

While my spring and summer makes tend to be planned from the bottom (shoes) up, in the cooler months I try to plan from the top (sweaters) down. It’s a shame to spend so much time knitting a sweater only to end up feeling like you don’t have anything to wear it with. To visualize outfit ideas, I like to use my 3-models printable sketch page from the MyBodyModel Project Planner.

For my first trio of sketches, I focused on mixing patterns and textures and limited my color palette to blues, rusts, and neutrals. 

Outfit 1:

Laela Jeyne Indigo Bodysuit (short sleeves, henley neckline) in rust-colored organic rib knit from Fenceline Fabrics; Seamwork Laura wrap skirt (shortened) in a navy, rust, & gold rayon-blend plaid that I bought at a fabric store in Italy.

Outfit 2:

Seamwork Ace tee in retro stripe jersey from Blackbird Fabrics; Helen’s Closet York Pinafore (gathered skirt hack) in indigo Brussels washer linen from Imagine Gnats.

Outfit 3:

Ishnana Cardigan by Ysolda Teague, in light gray Knit Picks Stroll fingering yarn; Seamwork Adria top in Moda boro woven from Sarah’s Fabrics; Sew Liberated Estuary skirt in copper tencel twill from Blackbird Fabrics, with vintage French buttons from AddVintage Buttons.

My second trio of sketches combines feminine florals with solid basics that can easily mix & match with the rest of my wardrobe. I love including lots of special details in my makes, like vintage notions and these fun labels by Kylie and the Machine!

Outfit 4:

Laceleaf Pullover by Alejandra Graterol, in charcoal gray Rial Filati Baby Supremo; Cashmerette Lenox Shirtdress (banded collar, gathered skirt) in a mustard floral viscose challis that I bought in Italy, with vintage topaz-colored Czech glass buttons from AddVintage Buttons.

Outfit 5:

Cashmerette Dartmouth top (¾ sleeves, flat front) in plum floral rayon jersey from Imagine Gnats; Sew Liberated Estuary Skirt in tencel chambray from Imagine Gnats, with sewing-themed wood buttons I bought in Italy.

Outfit 6:

Seamwork Elmira in oatmeal faux cashmere sweater knit from Blackbird Fabrics; Colette Myrna (pieced waistband, shortened skirt) in red daisy-print viscose poplin from Blackbird Fabrics, to be finished with vintage red lace hem tape from my stash.

So that’s my fall sewing & knitting planning sorted! Stay tuned for a post later this year where I’ll show off my finished garments. Meanwhile, check out the hashtag #whitneysfadeintofall on Instagram to track my progress!

Have you started sewing for the new season yet? Do you use MyBodyModel custom croquis sketch pages to help you plan your makes? What sketch page format do you use the most?

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