I have a friend who likes a particular brand that shall remain nameless, but they are famous for what I think of as ‘old lady coordinates’. You know the ones? The pants slip on and are in muted plaids and have a matching blazer, a sweater vest, a long pleated Miss Marple skirt and a button down that features a matching embroidered collar. I worked in a ‘consignment shop’ long ago and these pieces filtered in and saddened many a geriatric shopper when we admitted that we did not have the rest of the grouping. Sigh…..soul crushing disappointment.
Where was I going with this? Oh, yes, I had a point. I’ve never been a really ‘collection’ buyer. Maybe I’ve spent too much time picking the clearance rack or maybe I just hate matching. Who knows, but now with my fabric usage plot-
‘NOW IS THE TIME! NOW IS THE DAY! CUT THAT CRAP OUT NOW!’ I can hear Scottie calling from the Sewing/Engine room: ‘We need more space, captain, I don’t think the closet will hold much longer!!!’
So rather than just randomly sewing pretties as I usually do, I am trying to create pieces that work together. Ok, I’m sure all of you have been doing this with your sewing but I stumbled backward onto the idea.
‘Hey! When I turn this handle, water comes out! It’s the coolest thing!’ yup. Often I am late to discover things, but once on board, I always enjoy the ride. I just fear coordinates will make me look like I’m wearing a uniform. 
But, I present, the first, possibly the only……….Anne’s Houndstooth Hit Parade! (Insert fanfare, fling rose petals, generally make merry)
My timing was good- Sew Stylish made a whole article about ways to personalize the skirt pattern I used- including the fair Rhonda Buss- queen of tweedy splendidness! Also, as I’m sure you are aware- it is the hind-end of PINK APRIL!!!
I used 3 patterns to create this mess masterwork:
Simplicity 1467- the skirt
Simplicity 1592- the top
Simplicity 2455- the dress
The skirt is the same as Rhonda’s cover girl- well, plus a size or 3.
The top I have sewn before, but as a quickie one off that didn’t even got a post- but I loved the neckline on it. I skipped the front seam and was experimenting with pleats and tucks and whatnot at the v. I wanted to just add a little detail so I did the yoke in the houndstooth and it gives off a tiny flight attendant look, perhaps, but over all i like it. See? I totally fear matching! Is that a thing? What do you call that? Ah- I have Conformaphobia!! 
Ok, the dress I didn’t change a bit- oh, wait- I did my usual zipper skipping and added 2 fish eye darts in the back. I’m hoping I’ll get more than a wear or 2 out of this before the South Carolina summer blisters me. No belt. It just wasn’t doing it for me.
By the way, I am actually wearing smoke pink tights- I can’t believe how well they blend! From now on I will say I am not pasty, I am smoke pink!
Gracious, do you know how happy these 3 pieces would make my Mother? Oh, how she longed to see me in adult clothing. I remember when I showed her the grey pinstripe wool and she looked at like I’d finally accepted a dare! I will be returning to these 3 patterns- I love the basic shapes and fit of them. You should go see that article- lots of goods ideas for variations! That’s a lot of work for my tiny attention span! But by criminy, I used that fabric up- and I don’t think I look like the 2nd Mrs De Winter at all!
Oh, 1 more thing-
Nope, you are excluded- you are already a crane! With the help of my lovely assistant, the adorable Monica of Ripley, Ohio- who selected a random number of 1-28, we have a winner! Shelley hook me up with an address- you have some cranes coming to you!!!
photo credits: pattern review, meadhawg, google images, pinterest. All images remain the property of their original owners.
Pretty Grievances 
Petal you just keep getting better and better!
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Aw shucks! Thank you!
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All fab anne but I particularly like the dress. You have great legs btw. 🙂
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Oh my!
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Well done! They look like great staples that can be applied to non-matching delights as well. I think there must be something in the air. I am forever sewing separates that match nothing, and yet just last week, I matched up buttons on a top and culottes….and now I am planning a top with matching bits of fabric to a skirt (much like yours). Never has this hit me before, but I think I am infected with matchamatosis too…
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Our mothers are smiling big right now!!
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These match without being matchy-matchy. I love how you make these ‘your own’.
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Thank you!
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Who could make pink tights look so good? Yes, you do look co-ordinated but I don’t think there is any fear that this might take over your wardrobe or sewing for very long!!! Love the 3 buttons on the dress and the shoes too!!!!
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Im really getting a sheath fixation!!!
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This is a great set and so not matchy-matchy. I love your sheath dress. What a great fit – it’s the perfect shape! And it totally shows off your legs…
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Thank you! I want more sheaths- i think my tunics are growing!
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Ooh, so many pretties. All so perfect on you. That dress is devastatingly gorgeous. And you know I love those shoes. Thanks ever so much for the prezzie. I hope I do the cranes justice.
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I just know you will!
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Totally wonderful coordinates.
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Oh, that dress is fab! And those shoes too!
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Lovely outfits. I especially like the top.
And Pink April? Arrrgghhh! I didn’t know! I sewed something pink just last week (well, week before last now I guess) and I had no idea.
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I almost missed it too!
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Lovely, especially like the dress. I’ve just got into the colour palette thing and it is quite life changing. I have outfits!
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Im really trying to stop creating orphans!
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I liked what you said the other day about making things that only go with a denim skirt. I do that too!
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I have to stop that- so unproductive! My new concept is only buying fabric that matches something I already have!
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Everything I sew is an orphan. Fortunately many of them get along well together.
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Hah, me too!
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Great outfits! I am definitely going to look up some smoky pink tights too – they look really nice. Congratulations Shelley – you lucky devil! Rachel ☺
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I always like to read your blog. Your writing style gets to me–in a good way! Nice garments. I think the houndstooth at the yoke on the top is a touch of genius!!
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I was worried it was going stewardess!
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That dress is stunning!! So much love for all it’s details! And handsome uniformed snag as well, thanks for my fix!
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That is one dashing officer, right?
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Nailed It! Yes they coordinate but all the pieces have your own style flair to them. Good work on that imaginary dare. 😉
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Thank you! I feel better about my textile hoarding!
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Always a fun read 🙂 BTW, I really like the length of the dress on you!
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Thank you! I can sit without too much reveal!
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great outfits, and those patterns look great on you. the jacket on S2455 twice and I predict another in my future. You should try it for a jacket. and that dress you made would be good as a top. Also that skirt is a keeper, very cute shape on you. And your legs, gorgeous. More skirts on you!
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I do want the jacket! Hmm…..
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These pieces are all so cute, but not too matchy-matchy. The pink print really goes well with the houndstooth, but in a completely unexpected way. Well done!!!!!
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That pink really bided its time before finding the right beau!
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You are rocking that dress! Love the neckline detail and your pins do the short hemline justice : )
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Oh I blush and coo!
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Oh! I am so late! I really am rubbish at keeping up with blogs! I love the top – that neckline is amazing – and the dress is such a lovely shape (but I’m a little jealous as A-lines always look terrible on me!). I am not very good at making things that work well together (I think there are just too many beautiful patterned prints out there to distract me!) but maybe under your tutelage, I can learn!
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I know what you mean with prints! I just dont look at solid colors much- we can learn together!
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I love these outfits. The dress is my favorite. For something so subdued, it really suits you well.
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I can do subtle? Oh boy!
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OMG Anne – you have done a SWAP. And doesn’t it look great on you. Very grown up but with a little bit of Anne thrown in. Loving it. Every piece looks great on you. And fab legs! Nice to see them shown off.
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Oh mercy! It all looks planned doesnt it!!!!
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These co-ordinating pieces look very good together, in both shape and colour, which is not so easy. You rock houndstooth – pairing it with the delicate fabric is surprising but is visually pleasing, flight attendants or not! (Which airline? 😉 )
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