Do you know what a frock is?

I decided to look up the Wikipedia definition of frock and then check some images for frock in the search engine.  I know that it has meant dresses for girls and women, but when I checked the images, there came up a variety of India dresses listed as "frocks".  I found them reminiscent of princess style clothing--they are graceful and elegant and I would feel like a "princess" in one!  I love the beautiful detail of the various designs and colors.  I noticed that they had matching pants, perhaps a lighter weight variation of our leggings we wear in our colder climates under our skirts and dresses. Notice they are also "modest" yet fitted but not to distraction.

This is such a flattering style.  The hem trimming reminds me of  Russian  folk wear.

The length is very flattering.  It balances the dress nicely.

Spring wear coming up

Here's a soft hued outfit.  I would change the white t-top to a denser weave not opaque,

A style with poufy sleeves.

Inspirations can come from a variety of sources.  Watching others for color combinations, styles that are modest,  and deportment.  Magazines, catalogs, pattern catalogs, online sites that offer modest clothing are some of the easier to peruse.  I received a catalog from Serengeti  which offers some nice modest clothing in a variety of styles.  Here's just a few that they offer:

Catching up?

Winter Scene

It is that time of year when marketing is heading towards spring and summer and I'm feeling as though I am barely getting caught up in the winter cyle. I try to get patterns and fabric ready for the next season, but many times it ends up being made the following year's season! I think it would be easier to concentrate on just trying to accomplish smaller projects for those of us with limited time.

I hope that you don't have as many projects unfinished as I have!

With the weather giving us some unwanted coolness,  it may be a while before those  in the northern section of the US can change winter wardrobes to spring clothing.  Here is a modest one from this site.

Styles seem to be whatever one feels inclined to wear so there should be just as much skin showing again as the weather warms.  As believers, we need to check our motives for what we wear and why.  Always make sure it does not cause embarrassment to anyone as wider necklines, tighter fitting, and higher skirts call attention to our physical being instead of the countenance of our face which should reflect our identity with Christ  because we  love  the Savior and need to remember what He has done for us so that we are not held to the bonds of approval of the world's system.  

Our desire should be to reflect the attributes that mark a Christian or set one apart from the world.  We are to be in the world but not of it. We don't want to wear fig leaves--our own ideas of covering the body;  we are covered with God's covering--he killed an animal to clothe Adam and Eve.  In other words, God sets the standards by which we live which will bring honor and glory to him through everything we do including the clothing we wear.  We must ask ourselves is Christ magnified by what I am wearing?  Modesty is a heart issue.  Your body language and actions and what you wear speaks who you represent.

May your choices reflect what you believe.

Fabric choices for wardrobing

CALICO

The above samples are actually home dec fabric and the groupings give ideas on color combinations, textures, and the variety  of accents.  Many jackets have been made from home dec fabric as there are many pretty patterns and choices of heavier weights.  

Butterick 3037

What I think would give a lot of mileage to a wardrobe would be to make a jacket out of  a home dec fabric and make skirts, tops, dresses to match.  The skirts could be out of silk, linen, heavier cottons, homespun types, etc.  Tops can be knit, preferable in cotton or other natural fibers;  wovens in cottons, linens, silks, and dresses made in similar fabrics. 

Vogue 7975  This is one that could be used in the Chanel Jacket contest.

Marfy pattern

I know there are many patterns coming out now that mimic the seventies styles when polyester fabric came out and everyone either bought a dress or made one. In fact wardrobes were filled with simple poyester shifts. They were easy to make. Wearing them and being comfortable was another issue. I don't think we realized that man made fibers could never compete with natural fibers for keeping cool or staying warm. The polyesters kept me hot when it was hot and when I wanted to keep warm, it was almost impossible. I am so glad that we have fabrics that we can live comfortably in.

Simple skirt and top using the raised neckline for modest style.

I do like to get all natural fabrics, i.e. 100% cotton, 100% linen, 100% wool, and 100% silk, rather than portions mixed with man-made fibers. They just have a different feel, perhaps the more expensive, the better the feel. I haven't purchased any organic fabrics yet and would like to try some.

Dress

This New Look below is a very simple dress that needs some neckline altering and skirt lengthening, but would work nicely under a jacket.

One thing has always puzzled me is in the Bible it talks about mixed fibers; i.e. linen and wool as in

Leviticus 19:19 "Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woolen come upon thee."  Again in Deuteronomy 22:11 "Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together."  Some suggest that it weakens the fabric strength. I am not sure and will have to do some studying.  But it definitely said not to wear a garment consisting of linen and wool mixed together. I am thinking this is woven fibers together. One is vegetative and the other is from an animal. Something to think about.

A quick sale for Kwik Sew Patterns - Found--3 easy pieces for great wardrobe building!

KWIK SEW  has a clearance sale going on until January 31 for $3.99 a pattern.  They have some classic pieces that would work well for basic wardrobe building.  These pattern styles could be used for making pieces both in winter weight and for summer wear using heavier fabric combinations for winter and the lighter ones for summer.

I was looking at the KWIK SEW sale and found a simple solution for a quick way to whip up an easy mix and match wardrobe using basic "learn-to-sew" patterns.  I actually purchased these with the intent of making some skirts and tops as well as  a jacket  for wearing during transitional season times.

For the top I chose number K3475.  It is very simple with 2 sleeve lengths and a straight bottom hem.

For the skirt I liked K2805

For a jacket I chose K2895

For alternative patterns on this same theme of 3 Easy Pieces, here are some more patterns that would work:

This has 2 basic pieces to which a jacket could be added from the samples below.

For plus sizes, KWIK SEW has some very nicely designed styles:

Here is an outfit with 3 pieces in it.  One can add tops and jackets as show below.

Workable Tops for Wardrobing

When considering tops for outfits,  look for style, comfort, and color.

Found here.

Style--1. A particular fashion in clothing.
          2. A particular type or fashion suitable for or agreeable to a person.

Your personality usually dictates what you consider your style.  Here we have a gamut of listings.  This would include the sporty styles, the classic looks, the romantic  types, the little girl, cutesy, fad follower, western  type, layered, country casual, dressy, petite pixie, tall, willowy, draped, tomboy, man-style, etc.  Unfortunately, we tend also to be heavily influenced by many biases from social media, written media, and  entertainment media.  Statement clothing is obvious, for example "steam punk", the "grunge" look from times past.

For Christian women, young ladies, and girls we want to
dress in a manner that honors our
Maker and also our family.  Our
attention should be to the details
that will enhance our statement that we
are women who want to glorify the Lord.

Found here.

Style includes what looks good on you, what fits so that no undue attention is drawn to anything other than your face, and what is considered classic with minor variations.  Your own unique style will include these.

Found here.

One of the basic considerations when buying a garment is to use the funds that God has provided in a wise way so that you will get many miles out of your purchases.  You can figure this out by dividing the cost of an article of clothing by how many times you plan to wear it.

The tops can be divided into seasonal categories which really depends on the area you live in.  We have definite seasons here and so we put away summer clothes and get out the winter ones once we have gone through the transitional stages of spring and fall.  We use natural fibers as they keep us warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
We also have wind to deal with and little humidity.

   .
This is a simple yet beautiful look.

I don't know where I found this.
 (If you do, please let me know so I can give credit where it is due.)

Purchase items that can be used for mixing and matching with other pieces in your wardrobe.  Try to match up with as many pieces as possible.  Many blouses can be worn over t-tops for a layered look as well as a way to give a little more cover when it is cool but not enough to wear a sweater or jacket.

The best way is to have either fabric samples from other pieces to match when shopping, carry the item or wear it.  Try on styles to see if you like them try different colors.  Try scarves and other accessories to add to classics.  

These are a few of many styles of tops of woven fabrics.  Knit tops come in a variety of styles.  Just remember they tend to follow the body closely and our object is not to bring the eyes to anything other than our face.  We want people to see our countenance which should radiate our desire to please our Savior.

When in doubt, mother, father, and brothers can be of great assistance because, hopefully, they want to love and protect you and help you to look your best as a Godly representative of what you believe and cherish.

McCalls 5630  

Picture from here.
See this site to order blouse pattern.  This would look terrific with a gored skirt.

Visit here.

Blouse found here.  These camp shirts are
great with simple skirts.

Available here.

Unique

Ruthie's Run.  Always a classic style.

Charming!

Ann Taylor  Well suited for dressier occasions.

Wardrobe wanderings-skirts

I found this on this blog.

Here is a site that will offer suggestions for compiling a wardrobe.  These clothes are geared more for the working woman, depending on her job.  However, one can adapt some for the home wear as well as for shopping, visiting, and church.  There are pants patterns and short skirts offered as well, but I like the ideas for jackets, blouses, dresses, and some skirts.

As for random thoughts on wardrobe planning that keeps coming up is that of having a working wardrobe for the type of life you live.  It is very different for a woman who works outside the home.  My concern and what I aim at is for the ladies who stay at home and want to be feminine, comfortable, yet modest as well as looking pretty.   This doesn't mean following the latest trends and fads but basically using the classics to her advantage.

Basic pieces consist of  skirts, blouses, sweaters, cardigans, dresses and for the climate you live in an outerwear covering.  Add to this accessories of various types, scarves, jewelry, belts, vests, etc.
The basics should have mix and match capabilities.

Years ago there were color specialists who helped one decide what colors looked best with one's skin and hair coloring.  Also were included ideas to help one figure out what styles of clothing worked best.  Some tend to sporty looks while others go with classic styles. The western look comes and goes as well as the prairie look.  There are feminine looks with ruffles and lace and others who just like the unusual and pull together a nice but not outlandish look.  It basically boils down to what you feel most comfortable in.

1.  SKIRTS
The skirt styles that are available come in a wide range and most skirts look best below the knees.

• The length really depends on  activities.  If you have small children it might be easier to have a length that won't hike up when you squat, stoop,  hunker down, or sit on the floor.  
• Take into consideration the width.  The fuller the skirt the more movement it allows.  The narrow skirt has limitations.  Generally, an A-line type or slightly fuller with 4 or 6 gores is comfortable.  I like the tea length in A-line or gored style as it gives great coverage and  great ease of movement.

Fabrics choices also depend on climate and season.

• Denim is a favorite in our part of the country.  Heavy-weight for winter and lighter for summer.
• Wool flannel and heavier wool for winter.  Lighter weights  for spring, summer, and fall.
• Cotton makes wonderful skirts for summer.  Heavier weights work for seasonal changes.
• Mixed fibers or man made fibers are not as comfortable.  I find them hot when you want to be cool and cold when you want to be warm.  I prefer to stick with natural fibers.

There are many choices in patterns.  The mainline pattern books available in fabric stores offer lots of styles.
Skirt patterns are easily lengthened.  Fitting is another issue.  If you go by the hip measurement, it will be easier to adjust the waist, although many skirt patterns do not go to the waist but below  with no exact waistline.  If you have trouble with a waist line or being comfortable with waistlines, you might try putting a ribbed band where the waist band goes.  It may take some experimenting, but if you look online, there are some styles of skirts that have a knit waistband that is comfort oriented.