12 outfits, 6 garments: Capsule wardrobe sewing, sketch to finish

Time for the big reveal: Raylene shares the results of her capsule wardrobe sewing project, from sketch to finish! In last week’s post, Raylene shared how she planned twelve outfits from just six garments, using her body model croquis to sketch each ensemble in her sewing bullet journal. Read on to see each styled outfit, from Raylene’s creative vision all the way to the final result.

I’ve had a couple of weeks with my completed capsule collection and I have to say, I absolutely love it! Not only did I enjoy the entire process of creating it, the results are beyond my expectations and using MyBodyModel croquis to map everything out made it a very enjoyable experience.

The patterns

I chose 6 garments for my module, in a colour scheme of black, khaki, tan and dark floral: 

1. True Bias Ogden Cami in black (hacked into short dress length)

2. Deer & Doe Dressed La Blouse in khaki

3. Deer & Doe Dressed Le Chemisier in dark floral 

4. Helen’s Closet Winslow Culottes in black

5. Helen’s Closet Donovan Skirt in khaki

6. Helen’s Closet Pona Jacket in tan

The outfits

In my bullet journal, as part of my capsule wardrobe sewing planner system, I created a layout featuring 12 of MyBodyModel croquis where I sketched out all the outfit combinations I could come up with based on the patterns and fabrics I’d chosen. I had so much fun coming up with these outfit combinations.  

Sewing my capsule wardrobe

I had so much fun making all the garments knowing that I was doing it with a solid plan in mind. At the end of my work day I looked forward to my evenings when I could sew these up. The best feeling is when the garment is hot off the sewing machine, and you try the completed garment on for the first time. I wish I could capture that feeling inside a little bottle and use it whenever my sew-jo is low, because it truly is one of the best feelings in the world.

The results

In the end, I managed to come up with 17 outfit combinations which I shared with the sewing community over on my Instagram. I will show you 12 of these outfit combinations in this post.

The real-life wearability test

I already wore my outfits to COVID-friendly family functions as well as while working from home… even napping! It is so comfy, and I love that I look “put together” and no longer have to run outside to fetch the mail in my PJs or scramble to look decent for a work Zoom call.

It’s effortless, and it’s chic. I would definitely do this again in future. 

The trick to a capsule wardrobe is the styling. As I mentioned in my planning post, I love a feminine silhouette but paired with contrasting edgy elements. I chose my fedora, shades, black booties and choker to style most of these items, but I could easily swap out these accessories for a totally different look!

I love that I can take each outfit from day to night, and that is the beauty of a capsule wardrobe.

Another thing to note, is that if I ever end up travelling and going on a holiday, my six little garments barely fill a carry on and it’s enough outfits for a 2-week holiday! If that’s not a reason to consider a capsule wardrobe then I don’t know what is.

“Less is more. When you have less options, you spend less time trying to decide what to wear, giving you more time to focus on the things that truly matter in life.”

Not only that, but “Limitation Inspires Creativity” – UNKNOWN. 

The fact that I managed to come up with 17 outfit combinations speaks true to this quote. I found myself looking at garments and outfit combinations in a new light.

When you do this, you will be amazed at what you can come up with!

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Are you inspired to try sewing your own capsule wardrobe?

Check out our roundup of capsule wardrobe planning posts for more inspiration.

Raylene Harvey

Raylene Harvey hails from beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. She is a multi-passionate creative at heart, but among all her crafts and creative endeavours, sewing has always remained her one true love. Scarlet Stitch is her online space to share her behind the seams self-taught sewing journey, to connect with fellow makers and most of all, to inspire others to sew. Raylene currently works as a full-time web developer and she plans to turn her sewing into a business in the near future. When she’s not coding or sewing, she can be found listening to music or podcasts, binge-watching series and spending quality time with her husband and her two miniature schnauzers, Sherlock and Bailey. You can find her on Instagram @iamscarletstitch and on YouTube @rayleneharvey.