Spooky Halloween Outfit

Yesterday was a sewing day for me. Dedicating myself to sewing resulted in two finished items: an orange skirt and a black and white polka dot top.

The skirt: Vogue 2950. You might remember this skirt from here (it's the skirt from my Oscar de la Renta suit). I loved the fit so much that I decided to make another one in this bright orange cotton sateen I bought last year. This fabric is a prime example of my weakness for discount fabrics; it was on sale for $1.95/yard and I couldn't resist. I figured that the color couldn't be THAT bright. It really was THAT bright. But I ended up finding a use, thanks to inspiration (or copying directly, depending on your outlook) from Gertie. And just like Gertie, I added a bow at the waistline.

The top: Simplicity 2633. I mentioned in my last post that I had this top planned. There are some slight fit issues in the shoulders (notice the rippling). Other than that I like how this turned out.

On the subject of copying, I was indeed inspired by Gertie back in March when she posted her skirt. And I had that orange skirt turning and churning in my mind since then. But I have to admit that I was disappointed when I located her version of the skirt just to find that she too had paired it with a white and black polka dot v-neck top. I must have remembered that somewhere in my subconsciousness, which led me to think that I was having an entirely original idea in putting this fabric done up in this particular pattern together with this skirt. 

At any rate, imitation is the best form of flattery right? And I do so admire Gertie and her mad sewing skills and super style. 

P.S. TC was my photographer for these photos, which explains why they are so wonderful!


P.P.S. Shoes are Jessica Simpson Michaela.

Oscar de la Renta

Also back in March I mentioned Vogue 2950, an Oscar de la Renta suit.

I had cut it out, and was worried about the jacket being too big at my regular size 12. Well, laziness dictated to me that I should just sew up the jacket in a 12 without making any sizing changes, and hope for the best. I luckily lucked out. It fit.

Here's the finished product:

For the life of me, I can't seem to take a self portrait that is in focus. I also can't seem to take a self portrait with a normal look on my face. Oh well. While we are on the subject of this photo, my legs look unusually skinny and long. So that right there makes this photo a keeper.


But  now back to the suit. The skirt is actually the one pictured here with my bow neck top.

The skirt is high waisted and fits like a dream. The fabric is a stretch twill, which probably has something to do with how easy this skirt is to wear. I love the skirt and have plans to make it again.

The jacket fits well too and still gives me plenty of room to move around. The sleeves are lined, there is a hidden button placket, and a matching bow belt. I am absolutely in love with the details that went in to making this jacket. 

I did run into a little snag. I followed the instructions to a T, and came up short with the button placket. 

Okay, well not short literally, but short in the sense that it didn't look good. There was pulling and gaping and ugliness. And I was frustrated.

It wasn't pulling because there wasn't enough fabric to go around. It was pulling because of the hidden button placket. After cursing and talking it out with TC, and inspecting the pattern art closely, I noticed the slightest hint of a line of stitches down the front of the jacket just past the placket.

So even though there was nothing in the instructions to indicate that a line should be sewn down the front of the jacket, I did it.
And TADA! No pulling or gaping. It's amazing.

I was pretty frustrated that a detail like that was left out of the instructions. It seems small, but I was doing my best not to cut any corners (other than crossing my fingers about the fit of the jacket), and I was worried that a line of stitches would ruin the look. Luckily, it didn't ruin anything, and it helped the whole thing to lay flat.


The verdict on Vogue 2950: it's a great pattern with neat finishes. The fit is great and construction is fairly easy. The only issue I came across was that one line of stitches down the front.

What's next?

I cut out the Oscar suit (Vogue 2950) and was able to finish off the skirt this weekend. The pattern calls for Hong Kong finishing on all the seams (sewing bias tape on every raw edge), which I had never done. The finished product is quite stunning and I love the look of those finished seams. It's a lot more elegant than serged seams. One issue: I cut it out in a 12 and it was a size plus a bit too bit, so I cut it down to a 10 and then sewed the seams a little bit bigger than the seam allowance. Unfortunately I also cut the jacket out in a 12. So I will likely go back and re-cut all the pieces in a 10. The jacket also calls for a Hong Kong finish, so I'm excited to stretch my skills and give it a try.

Next up this month are the following:
1. Finish the ruffle dress (Simplicity 2497).


2. Make two tops.

• New Look 6732, view E: the cute little white polka dot one with a Peter Pan collar and puff sleeves. I think I will put different sleeves on it since the collar is already pretty cutesy. I'm going to make it in a stretch poplin floral in white, blue and yellow. I'm really looking forward to this project.
  
• New Look 6808, view C: the pink one with a bow on the collar. I may leave the bow off the collar, however, because I realize that so many pieces in my closet are cutesy. There's only so much cutesy I can take. I'm going to make this in an ivory stretch cotton poplin.

3. Finish the shorts I cut out several years ago (McCalls 5391). They will be in a stretch denim.


4. Play with a Lucky jeans remix that is probably not worth the time. I bought a pair of Lucky brand jeans from the DI forever ago. When I got them home I realized that they were entirely mom jean style. And bigger than the size on their tag would indicate. So I decided that I would pull the fabric apart and see if I can re-purpose it. I'm hoping to make a pair of capris.

Also, I wanted to thank you readers for the support in my projects. It's great positive reinforcement to keep me going. Plus, mentioning projects here keeps me motivated to finish them. You guys are so much cheaper than therapy, or shock treatments.

So that's what I have on the docket. Have I ever mentioned how much I enjoy planning ahead?


Update: I wrote this yesterday (Monday) in the throes of boredom. Last night I cut out the two tops in number 2 above. I did cut out the bow on the second shirt, and on the first, I decided to go with the puff sleeves, but I shortened them a bit.

More ruffles.

Last week I cut out Simplicity 2497 in my plastic feeling navy blue taffeta. I started sewing it last night, and the good news about sewing plastic is that it is really easy to manipulate and shape. I'm just not sure how wearable it will be. Oh well. At least the fabric was super discounted. And if it's not wearable, I'll call it a muslin and start over with a different fabric. I'll let you know how it goes.

The last item on the docket for February is the Oscar de la Renta suit (Vogue 2950) which I plan to cut out some time this week. I doubt I'll get into the jacket this month, but I would like to complete the skirt for sure-izzle.

I hope my arm doesn't cramp while I reach back to pat myself on the back, but I wanted to say that February has been a break-through month for me. I've set sewing goals and ACTUALLY accomplished them. I set out to sew a few items, and I've done that and I have even finished other projects (like the wool coat, and a night gown that is not very exciting so I'm not going to bother posting it here) that I hadn't planned on finishing. So on that hand, I'm really pleased.

On the other hand, I also set some exercise and weight loss goals, and I have not met them. I have exercised more in the last month than I had in all the time since November, but I didn't meet my ambitious goal of six times a week, or even my back-up goal of five times a week. And I lost one pound (it took me two weeks) only to gain it back in one week. *sigh* Losing weight was so much easier the first time around, back in 2003, when I was a wee lass.

Have a great Tuesday.