My projects for the 2016 Outfit-Along

It’s that time of year again! Last year I had so much fun pushing my knitting skills in Lauren’s and Andi’s Outfit-Along Challenge, so this year I’m definitely joining in again!

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, the Outfit-Along (OAL for short) is a yearly challenge, organised by Lauren of lladybird and Andi of Untangling Knots. The aim is to both sew a garment and knit a garment. Last year, I used my cardigan-knitting virginity to it (and it was beautiful). But unlike 2015, I want to make two garments that fit together a little better this year. These are my plans:

Knitting Project: The Vitamin D Cardigan by Heidi Kirrmaier

Let’s start with the knitted garment, since it takes the most time and I’m actually still learning so much from every single one of my knitting projects. I want to make the Vitamin D Cardigan by Heidi Kirrmaier, a pattern that has been sitting on my wishlist for over a year, using the beautiful quince&co yarn I got for Christmas. This is their Chickadee in colour Belize.

And because I’m obviously completely crazy (third cardigan ever and all), I will alter the pattern into a regular cardigan, keeping the eyelets but omitting the drape in the front – like Felicia did in her version. I love the Vitamin D’s style as is, but I want something a bit more fitted that goes well with dresses and full skirts, so my body isn’t completely covered in drapiness – a problem I had with last year’s Outfit-Along cardigan. Oh yeah, and I never understood why a warm woolen garment would come with 3/4 sleeves, so I’m lengthening them to full sleeves.

Sewing Project: A tie-front dress … probably

My plans for this one are still pretty rough. I know I want to make a dress with a fitted bodice, short sleeves and a flared skirt. I don’t want to buy a pattern and since I’m taking a pattern drafting this month, it might even become a self-drafted pattern. All I know by now is that the dress will have a few beautiful details (hahaha, are you even surprised?) and maybe a tie-front / pussy bow kind of thing, similar to the La Sylphide by Papercut Patterns or the Réglisse by Deer and Doe. My fabric is a lightweight navy plaid cotton that I bought at a flea market in 2012 (!). It turned out to be old bedsheets, but in great condition, so that’s okay.

I loved Eléonore’s plaid Réglisse dress which will very likely serve as an inspiration. The only things that are missing are a zipper and some lining fabric. A dark yellow rayon – similar to the colour of the plaid stripe – would be perfect.

So those are my plans for the next two months. It’s funny because last year my Cambie dress felt like such a small project compared to my cardigan. I’m wondering if it will be the same this year. What are you guys planning to make this summer?