It seems funny to be talking about Spring when Los Angeles has been pounded by rain for weeks now, but the official beginning of the season is less than a week away. It has been cold and gray, and while I love the spooky, moody weather, I am looking forward to sunny days that still require a cardigan to keep me warm.
While the idea of creating a goth capsule wardrobe for Spring sounds exciting, the idea of spending money on more patterns might stop you on your tracks. You don’t need a bunch of patterns to create the perfect dark wardrobe to welcome and celebrate Spring. You don’t even need to pay for these six patterns that are perfect for this transitional period. They are all very versatile, so if a goth wardrobe is not what you are going for, you can definitely add your own style to any of these selections.
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Tops
Plantain Tee, Deer and Doe Patterns
I have a long love story with this pattern. As a t-shirt, this pattern is perfect. It is fitted at the shoulders and flared at the hips, giving the tee a really nice shape that follows the body. Once you sew it as a T-shirt, you can hack the Plantain for almost every other garment that is not a pair of pants. You can change the neckline and the sleeves and create a whole collection of T-shirts. You can add length to create an A-line dress, then slash the skirt to create for a tent dress. You can slip the front and create a cardigan. This is by far the most versatile pattern I know.
Slouchy Cardi, Peppermint Magazine
The weather is still a bit cool, especially at night, so a super comfortable cardigan is a must for Spring. The Slouchy Cardi by Peppermint Magazine is a knee-length cardigan with a relaxed fit, wrap-around collar, hem band, and sleeve cuffs. It is easy enough that even a beginner can sew it. There is no hemming as all edges are finished with hem bands, and it has pockets—hell, yeah on both cases! It works well with knits of any weight. Definitely one to download and sew multiple times.
Bottoms
Anything But Basic Leggings, DIBY Club
When the weather got cold and I needed to protect my legs from the elements, I used to wear tights. I fracking hate tights. Tights—and their more evil cousin, pantyhose—suck the joy out of living. It was not until I bought a pair of leggings and wore it under a skirt that I realized that I would never, ever have to suffer with tights again. The Anything But Basic Leggings comes in a very inclusive size range, and the instructions are a lesson on sewing. This is another great pattern if you are just starting to sew with knits.
Pocket Skirt, Peppermint Magazine
Another Peppermint pattern, the Pocket Skirt brought back memories of raves past. This is a really easy pattern; I sewed a muslin in an afternoon. It has a relaxed midi silhouette, an elasticated waistband, and oversized panel pockets. As the name suggests, the pockets are the star of the pattern. If you feel that that’s just too much pocket for you, you can very easily make them less pockety (that’s what I did). You can sew it in linen for a very breathable and understated version, or try some nylon for that authentic raver look.
Dresses
Portia Knit Dress, Rebecca Page
What a delicious pattern! The free version of the Portia is a pattern for a knit dress with a knee-length skirt and sleeves that are cut as part of the bodice. It has a very goddess vibe, and it is super-comfortable. If Spring is all about being outdoors running through flowery fields, the Portia will give you the room to move around. It is also a great option for a party dress if you choose a dressier fabric.
Yarrow Dress, Mood Fabrics
Oh, Mood, why do you hurt me so? I have had the Yarrow on my list of must-sew garments, but the nightmare of taping over 50 pages of A4 paper keeps me away. This dress is soooo pretty! Not the dress you take out frolicking, the Yarrow is perfect for all the Spring celebrations. One of the samples on the Mood website is made with a silk chiffon with sparkly stars—it is so imprinted in my brain that I cannot think of any other fabric to sew this baby. If you add a longer skirt and short sleeves, you have yourself a Netflix Wednesday Adams dress to hit the dance floor with.
My Goth Spring Sewing Plans
I am currently working on a Pocket Skirt with a black linen/rayon blend. If it works, I am using one of my too-special-to-sew fabrics, another black linen/rayon blend with embroidered cacti.The black dress I hacked from the Plantain pattern has been worn to death, so I have to make another one. And I have some black stretch pleather that I got almost 10 years ago that I’d love to turn into a pair of leggings. I gotta check and see if the fabric is still okay. And if I can get myself to go through the ordeal of taping the Yarrow, I’m sewing a muslin to check for fitting. I have the impression that I’d have to mess with the waist to make it my style.
What are you planning to sew for Spring? Let me know in the comments.
