Sewing a Fall Capsule Wardrobe – Includes Free Patterns!
How to Sew a Fall Capsule Wardrobe: Your Guide to a Stylish Autumn
Creating a fall capsule wardrobe is a fantastic way to embrace the season with a curated collection of versatile pieces, especially for busy moms or women on the go. By sewing your own garments, you can customize each item to perfectly fit your body and style preferences, while also ensuring practicality and comfort. In this guide, I will walk you through the essentials of a fall capsule wardrobe and suggest popular sewing patterns to get you started.
I know sewing can become an expensive hobby, so I tried to include both free and paid sewing patterns.
Tips for Using What You Have
Whenever starting a new project, I love to take stock of what I already have and work from there. That way my fabric stash doesn’t grow beyond my box of fabric and I can lean on my tried and true patterns that I know fit me well and have experience sewing.
I love to find patterns that work well and figure out how I can hack them. Once I find a great shirt pattern I love to alter the sleeve length, change the neckline, add embroidery, do some color blocking, or make it out of a totally different fabric.
When working on new pieces, try to think about how they will fit into your current capsule wardrobe and figure out what you really need. I have two great pairs of jeans, I don’t need new ones!
Tips for Sewing Your Fall Capsule Wardrobe
Choose Quality Fabrics:
- Invest in good quality fabrics that will last through the season and beyond. Look for materials like flannel, denim, cotton, and a heavier linen.
- If you’re looking for a budget friendly nicer fabric, I love Robert Kaufman’s fabric and I can get it from my local fabric store, Sew to Speak. (They ship!) Their flannels, brussels washer, and gingham are amazing!
Stick to a Color Palette:
- Select a cohesive color palette to ensure that all your pieces can be mixed and matched.
- Fall colors like burgundy, mustard, olive, and navy are great choices. As well as neutrals like white, cream, gray, and browns.
Focus on Fit:
- Take your time to adjust patterns and ensure a perfect fit. A well-fitting garment looks more polished and will be more comfortable to wear.
- Once you perfect the pattern for a particular garment, you could make it with multiple fabrics to give yourself a few options. This would be great for basics, like shirts! Or you could pattern hack it to make it slightly different.
Plan Your Sewing Projects
- Make a list of the items you need and plan your sewing projects accordingly. This will help you stay organized and avoid feeling overwhelmed. You don’t have to sew your entire wardrobe in one season!
Add Personal Touches:
- Don’t be afraid to add your own personal touches to each piece. Whether it’s a unique button, a contrasting hem, or a personalized label, these details make your wardrobe truly yours. This is a great way to also differentiate between two of the same garments.
Consider Practicality:
- As a mom, practicality is key. Choose patterns and fabrics that are easy to care for and can withstand the demands of daily life.
Popular Woven Sewing Patterns for Your Fall Capsule Wardrobe
**I was not given any compensation for including these patterns in this blog post. They are just some of my favorites that I wanted to share.
1. Tops
- Archer Button Up by Grainline Studio:
- A classic button-up shirt with a relaxed fit, perfect for school runs and visiting the pumpkin patch.
- Scout Tee by Grainline Studio:
- A woven tee that is simple yet stylish, perfect for layering. Also has additional sleeve designs.
- I wrote a pattern review of this pattern, which you can view here!
- I also hacked it into a dress, which I’ve worn at least once a week for the past few summers.
- Hansie Top by Seamwork:
- Chic and versatile blouse with a relaxed fit, featuring a front button placket, a mandarin collar, and optional sleeve lengths for a customizable look.
- $$ This pattern is available for free.
- Ruffle Sleeve Top from Peppermint Magazine by In The Folds
- Stylish and feminine blouse featuring dramatic ruffle sleeves, a relaxed fit, and a keyhole back closure, perfect for adding a touch of flair to any outfit.
- $$ This pattern is available for FREE, and they also accept donations for their efforts.
2. Bottoms
- Emerson Crop Pants/Shorts by True Bias
- Comfortable and stylish pants with an elastic waistband, ideal for busy moms on the go.
- Pattern has a shorts option that would be great for spring/summer! (I love a versatile pattern!)
- Pocket Skirt from Peppermint Magazine by Paper Theory:
- A midi skirt pattern, with gathered waist, and roomy panel pockets.
- $$ This pattern is available for free. They also accept donations.
- Arden Pants from Helen’s Closet Patterns:
- High-waisted trousers with an elastic waistband, roomy pockets, and optional tapered or wide-leg styles, ideal for everyday comfort and style.
- The Cleo Skirt from Made-by-Rae
- Versatile and flattering skirt pattern featuring a flat front waistband with an elastic waistband in the back, pockets, and options for different lengths, making it a perfect addition to any wardrobe.
- Tiered skirts are popular right now! You could take this skirt and add a few different gathered tiers.
- This pattern is available for free to all Creative Bug members. (I got a membership for free through my library.)
- $$ If you’re on a tight budget, you may be able to make something similar by lengthening my gathered skirt tutorial.
3. Dresses & Rompers
- The Davenport Dress by Friday Pattern Co:
- Stylish and comfortable dress featuring ruffled sleeves, a gathered neckline, and an elastic waist, perfect for both casual and dressy occasions.
- Benning Dress by Seamwork:
- A versatile dress with a modern silhouette, perfect for layering or wearing alone.
- Free download! (As of fall 2024).
- The Zadie Jumpsuit from Paper Theory Patterns
- A relaxed jumpsuit with options for 3/4 sleeves or sleeveless. A wrap tie for easy closure!
- Hacked Romper
- My favorite hack to make a romper is to simply sew a pair of pants and a shirt in the same fabric then tuck it in! That way you get a pair of pants, a shirt, and a romper all in one.
4. Loungewear
- Loungewear Set by Peppermint Magazine:
- Comfortable and stylish pieces for relaxing at home, yet chic enough to wear out, ideal for those much-needed moments of rest.
- $$ This pattern is free! They do accept donations for their efforts.
- This set is one of my favorites to hack into a romper by simply tucking in the shirt!
- Fran Pajamas by Closet Core Patterns
- A comfortable slouchy fit pajama set with a shirt collar, cuffed sleeve top and a straight leg, elastic waistband pants with pockets!
5. Outerwear
- Moss Jacket by Helen’s Closet:
- A must-have layering piece, a lighter weight, which makes it easy to throw on over any outfit.
- Tamarack Jacket by Grainline Studio:
- A quilted jacket perfect for fall, providing both warmth and style, ideal for outdoor adventures with the kids.
- I wrote a blog post on how to hack a hood onto this jacket.
Essential Pieces for a Fall Capsule Wardrobe For Moms
If you’re having trouble thinking about what to include in your fall capsule wardrobe, here are some of the most common items:
- Tops:
- Button-Up Shirts: Classic and versatile, they can be dressed up or down.
- Knit Sweaters: Cozy and perfect for layering.
- Long-Sleeve & Short-Sleeve Shirts: Great for casual wear and layering under jackets.
- Sweatshirts: Cozy, casual, and comfortable.
- Bottoms:
- Jeans: A must-have in any capsule wardrobe.
- Pants: For a more polished look.
- Skirts: Midi and pencil skirts in heavier fabrics.
- Leggings: Casual and practical. Great for layering under dresses for added warmth
- Outerwear:
- Cardigans and Light Jackets: Perfect for layering and adding warmth.
- Blazers: Adds a bit of sophistication to an outfit.
- Dresses/Rompers:
- Dresses: Comfortable and stylish.
- Rompers Flattering and comfortable.
- Loungewear/Pajamas:
- Comfortable Sets: For those cozy fall days at home.
- Accessories:
- Scarves: Add color and warmth.
- Hats: Beanies and wide-brimmed hats for style and function.
- Bags: A versatile tote or crossbody bag.
Conclusion
Sewing a fall capsule wardrobe is a rewarding project that allows you to create a collection of pieces tailored to your style and needs. By choosing versatile patterns and quality fabrics, you’ll have a wardrobe that is not only stylish but also practical and sustainable. Happy sewing!
