"Closing the Gaps" sewing Project

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A full closet, but still nothing to wear. Sound familiar?  Since cleaning out my closet, the outfits I have for the summer and me-made-June clothes,  are limited.  I realized I had only done half of the job of cleaning out my closet.  Now it was time to really look through my wardrobe and find the gaps. Gaps are those little annoying reminders that occur when you get dressed. It's when you realize that you don't have a blouse to go with that really great skirt. I knew it was time to get practical about sewing some workable pieces to fill all those nagging gaps! Hence, this project was born. I am calling it "Closing the Gaps". The idea is to become very "intentional" about identify the singles in my closet, then looking for coordinating fabrics, starting with my stash and finally sewing matching tops and bottoms.  The conclusion should be a closet with matching pieces and fewer "gaps" in one's wardrobe. If you want to follow a long or challenge yourself to a better coordinating wardrobe, please join me in this project. Here's a button for the project, grab it, if you like this idea and put it on your blog, then make a link in the comments to any completed projects done for this challenge. To participate, you can choose between two challenges, the first is a short challenge, simply make ONE garment to match anything in your closet that needs a mate, this may be something you have had for years or bought/made last week. If you want to take this challenge to the "second phase",  start by cleaning out your closet. Be prepared to divide, organize, and write down your sewing goals.  The following is what I did to start  the second phase.

1. After cleaning out my closet, I looked through the clothing I had left and found all the "singles". They were pulled out. Remember singles are items that you love, but they don't have a matching top or bottom. 

These three skirts are without tops.

These are thrifted shirts that I need basic skirts for.

2. Then, I compared my "singles" to my stash for any coordinating fabrics. I want to use as much of my stash as possible. Fortunately,  a few of my pieces coordinated with the fabrics in my stash, but if I didn't find a match, I hung these items out of my way into a "go shopping" for fabric pile.

I have to go shopping for these item

3. Next, I focused on the garments that DID match fabrics in my stash.  I then searched for a pattern, notions and checked the yardage for the project.  These items were folded together and put into my "to sew" pile/basket.

Hooray I am using up my stash!!!

This thrifted skirt has been in my closet for years without a good options for a top!

To sew pile!

4. Finally, I focused on the singles (go shopping pile) with no matches from my stash.  I found a pattern for each, gathered them up and took my "go shopping" pile to the fabric store. This is what I put together after my shopping trip.

I got most of what I needed during the shopping trip, I still need some really great red fabric!

5.  Lastly, after seeing an overview of my "gaps", I prioritize! Asking what do I need to sew first?  I wrote it all down on the clipboard and posted it in my sewing room. 

My closet should be "singles" free, hooray no more lonely pieces! The gap is closing up! I hope that you will take either version of the Closing the Gaps Project challenge. This exercise has brought such clarity with the decisions about my wardrobe. If you are not a seamstress you may still find this exercise of value as you look for your pieces at a clothing store.  Good luck!   

Have a wonderful vintage day.  

Gina