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Fall sewing planning might be one of my favorite parts of the year. There's something so satisfying about mapping out cozy projects while the leaves are changing and that first crisp morning makes you reach for a sweater. Today I'm sharing my complete fall sewing plan—the exact projects, fabrics, and inspiration behind everything I'm planning to make this season.
If you're like me and sometimes feel overwhelmed by all the gorgeous fall fabrics and patterns calling your name, creating a seasonal plan can be a game-changer. It helps you sew with intention, use fabrics you already love, and build a wardrobe that actually works together.
Building My Fall Vision: Warm, Classic, and Sleek
This season, I'm focusing on three key words: warm, classic, and sleek. After spending some time reflecting on what I actually reach for in my closet, I've realized I feel best in clothing that skims my body rather than overwhelming it with volume. Even though I love the look of full skirts and billowy sleeves, I tend to feel more confident in more streamlined silhouettes.
I decided to create a physical moodboard this season instead of my usual digital version, and I'm so glad I did! There's something about choosing images with my hands and incorporating actual fabric swatches, trims, and buttons that opens up my creativity in a different way. Plus, having it up on my sewing room wall keeps me inspired and reminds me of my original vision.
For my moodboard, I was drawn to deep, warm fall colors mixed with lighter neutrals. I incorporated artwork and textiles to build an overall vibe that draws from areas outside of fashion. Color and texture were my big starting points this season.
My Fall Color Palette
One color that kept appearing in my inspiration was this bright olive-chartreuse shade—totally new for me! It reminds me of leaves at the very beginning of fall, when they transition from green to gold. I'm excited to step outside my comfort zone with this statement color.
My complete palette includes:
• Neutrals: Ivory, black, deep chocolate brown, and medium brown
• Basics: A warm peach tone that adds just a hint of color
• Statement: That eye-popping chartreuse, plus some red for accessories
Project 1: Vintage Rayon Kimmy Dress
The Seamwork Kimmy is an elastic waist dress with a v-neckline and short dolman sleeves that gather with pretty ties. It has this modernized 1940s look, especially with those shoulder gathers, and the fullness feels soft and sleek when made in a drapey fabric.
I'm using a cold rayon from the 1940s that I found at an antique show years ago—one of those special fabrics I've been hoarding! The large-scale print is gorgeous, though I'm considering the bonus surplice version to avoid a center front seam cutting through the design.
This dress will be perfect with a cardigan and ballet flats for milder days, or with tights, boots, and a chunky sweater when it gets colder—then it'll read more like a printed skirt.
Planning my projects like this really helps me feel confident about actually using those special stash fabrics. If you want the free sewing planner I use to organize all these ideas, you can download it through our Design Your Wardrobe process.
Project 2: Lemongrass Fig Cardigan
After making the Fig cardigan in brown last season and wearing it constantly, I knew I needed another one immediately. This is such a fast, easy project with incredibly versatile results.
I'm making this version in lemongrass merino wool jersey from The Fabric Store—it's this perfect vibrant golden olive color that captures exactly what I wanted for my chartreuse moment. This fabric is amazing for cardigans because it has tons of stretch and recovery, so it's comfortable enough to wear as a top but still keeps you warm.
I'll layer this over print dresses like my lilac summer dress or the Kimmy dress, wear it as a top with jeans or a mini skirt, and accessorize with silk scarves and vintage brooches from my collection.
Project 3: Brown Corduroy Chelsea Jeans
The Chelsea jeans have been on my list for ages! These high-waisted boot cut jeans with patch pockets have that perfect 70s vibe I love. I've made Chelsea twice before and absolutely love how they fit at the waist, hips, and seat.
After documenting my outfits last fall, I realized I wear pants way more than I thought, so even though jeans are a bigger project, I know I'll get tons of use from them. I plan to wear these with everything from t-shirts to cardigans to silk blouses.
The brown corduroy has been in my stash for over a year—I bought it specifically for this project but never found the time. The fact that the idea still excites me after all this time feels like a good sign!
Project 4: Tweed Bryn Pinafore Dress
The Bryn dress is a classic shift that can be worn as a pinafore, and I love layering dresses over tops in fall. My black Dani pinafore is a real closet workhorse, so I'm excited to add another layering piece.
What I love about Bryn is the gentle shift shape with just enough shaping from French darts. You get nice shaping at the waist and bust without obvious seams breaking up the sleek line—perfect for strong textures or prints.
I found this gorgeous wool tweed on Etsy with pronounced texture and amazing brown tones. The dress is fully lined, so I'm planning to use a peach rayon challis, though I'm wondering if something more slippery might work better with tights.
This will look amazing layered over a pretty eyelet blouse or a knit turtleneck like the Alice pattern.
Project 5: Black Silk Bias Skirt with Lace
I've made the Dezi skirt before in champagne silk charmeuse and it's absolutely gorgeous and comfortable. This bias-cut skirt with elastic waist is one of those pieces that looks luxurious but feels extremely comfortable.
For this version, I'm shortening it to above-knee length and adding beautiful chantilly lace trim for a lingerie-as-clothing look that I've always loved. I'm also planning to use lingerie elastic with picot trim instead of a casing for a smoother waistline.
This will look amazing with the Fig cardigan or a bigger sweater when it gets colder, plus sheer black tights and tall riding boots.
Project 6: Eyelet Bloom Blouse
The Bloom blouse has been on my wishlist all year! This romantic blouse features full sleeves and a pretty insertion detail below the yoke that's perfect for showcasing special trims.
I have so many fabrics in my stash that would work for this pattern, and I'm hoping it becomes a tried-and-true favorite. This version will look gorgeous layered under the tweed Bryn pinafore, with the brown corduroy Chelsea jeans, or with dark denim.
I chose this light, floaty eyelet from my stash and gorgeous ladder lace insertion from Texas Tangled Threads on Etsy, who sells beautiful heirloom-style trims perfect for insertions.
The Magic of Seasonal Planning
Designing projects like this always gets me excited about everything I'm going to make, and I'm especially delighted that I'll be using so many fabrics I already had in my stash! There's something so satisfying about giving purpose to those special pieces you've been saving.
Creating a seasonal plan helps you sew with intention rather than impulse, build a cohesive wardrobe that works together, and actually use those gorgeous fabrics you've been collecting. Plus, having everything mapped out makes it so much easier to dive into a project when you have time to sew.
If you're interested in creating your own seasonal sewing plan, you can download our free Seamwork sewing planner that walks you through the entire Design Your Wardrobe process. It's the same system I use to create these seasonal plans, and it really helps clarify what you want to make and wear.
