Let's start with the blouse. It's Simplicity 2195, a 1950s pattern, and boy oh boy did it give me trouble. I've actually sewn this twice before (one and two), and both times it was extremely uncooperative. I think there is something amiss with the neckline on this pattern (Maybe it's just my version? You never know with vintage patterns what wild life they led before you.) and the collar just will not go. I tried six times (SIX TIMES!) on this one before I gave up and drafted a new one. I think this fabric didn't help me either because it has an odd bit of stretch to it and did not like being eased.
By the time I got done with the collar, the right sleeve drooped off the shoulder. Bah! Well, I went with it, and decided it was better to forge forward and finish then let it sit in a drawer wasting away forever. I monogramed my initials by hand to restore my affection for this blouse, and it worked! I quite like it now despite its flaws and our torrid history.
Now, the pants are my self-drafted cigarette pants I call Bedford. When I ordered this fabric, it was supposed to be red, so I was surprised to discover it was so pink, which isn't a color I wear very often. It mysteriously puckered when sewing, even when I couldn't see anything in the seam, and in general just wasn't great quality.
I decided to give it a go anyway, though, because it was a chance to test the fit of the pants in a fabric with spandex. They turned out fairly well, although I'm wondering if I need to take in the crotch a bit still, as I noticed a wee bit of excess fabric in the front on these photos. It might also be slim, my skinnier right leg, which tends to give me problems in pants.
In general, I'm not sure how I feel about these pants on me, but I think it's the color as I love my first version in black. I'm also thinking of a few construction changes for my next version in navy. Like adding an underlining, and maybe tapering the leg a little more for a slimmer fit closer to the ankle. What do you think?
How fun! And you embroidery skills are crazy - I can't believe you did that by hand!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenny! There are the pants I was working on when I was at Craft Foxes with you!
DeleteSoooo cute! I have cigarette pants on the brain right now. Yours look fantastic on you! I have a long way to go to get a fit I'm totally happy with. But in terms of colors, I know for me personally, I've realized I don't care for lighter-colored pants on me. So perhaps that's part of the difference between your love of the black vs. coral ones? Either way, I think the color is great on you and they look fab!
ReplyDeleteMaybe! I saw you came around to your red ones in the end (I love those), and it gave me hope!
DeleteDespite the fact that you had to wrestle this outfit into sewing submission, it turned out great. I love the coral/pinkish color on you! Which just goes to show that something that is difficult to make might be a joy to wear and vice-versa: just because something is easy to sew doesn't necessarily make it your favorite thing to wear. Which is odd: you would think that joy to sew/joy to wear would be the logical equation. Your embroidery is fabulous - I thought you had it professionally done by machine!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim! It would be nice if those things correlated a bit more, but I'm glad to have worked out some more of the fitting/construction kinks before I go to a fabric I think I really will wear!
DeleteYou're so cute.
ReplyDeleteTehehe, thanks Meg!
DeleteLove your blouse! Especially that you hand embroidered it! Your pants, I love the fit and the color. May be you don't like the lighter color, like Tasha mentioned. I need these pants! I like the Colette's clover, but they're a bit tight over all. May be I can widen them a bit into cigarette pants like yours?
ReplyDeleteYes, these are pretty similar to the Clover. I've heard some fitting woes on those, so I thought buying a pants sloper and starting from there would be a lot easier, and it certainly has proved to be!
DeleteThe color is fabulous on you. Amazing that you hand embroidered the shirt...well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Annie!
DeleteThis is a terrific outfit! Your monogramming skills are amazing! Wow! I love the cigarette trousers, too, including the colour. I think they look lovely and fit you well.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah! That's good tol hear. It's so easy to start over-fitting things, so a fresh pair of eyes is helpful!
DeleteI love your blouse, the monogram is way cool :)
ReplyDeleteAlso like the color of your pants, well done with the drafting! I think they look good :)
Thanks, Siri!
DeleteI've had cigarette trousers and shirt blouses on my mind lately as well - these look lovely and worth all the effort ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's a great, easy combo.
DeleteWow! Love the hand embroidered monogram. I can't believe you took pants with you when you travelled for work - that's impressive. This is a great looking outfit, you are darling. g
ReplyDeleteThanks, gMarie! I'm actually really enjoying taking all this hand stitching with me on work trips. I finished my Cambie on a trip to San Jose! It's nice to keep working on things even when I'm away!
DeleteYou look so fresh and cute! On my I-pad your pants look red. Shame it is a bit far for you to pop over and take a look. I am extremely fond of pink now, so pink pants seem like a glorious idea to me. i'm sure I would have given up on the collar. It looks amazing and the hand embroidered monogram is stunning! The legs on your pants look great, but with your dainty ankles you could taper even more if you like. xxx
ReplyDeleteOoo, dainty ankles! Well thank you very much!
Deletethat you stay nice shirt, but inside I like the pants
ReplyDeletehttp://mandarinacosturera.blogspot.com.es/
Thank you!
DeleteThat's adorable, and I like the blue with the coral.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think I'm coming around to it, too.
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