Sunday, June 15, 2008

Angst

Thank you to everyone who weighed in on the brown/white/pants/skirt question from the last post. All the votes seemed to swing towards something with legs: pants, shorts, or capris. I agree that a pair of white capris would have been awesome...on someone else. Capris don't agree with my calves, so I very rarely wear them. Longer shorts, also a neat idea, but then I couldn't wear the outfit to work. So that left me with pants.

I went through my patterns and came up with either Simplicity 3846, Simplicity 4695, or Butterick 4662. Whatever I decided, it had to be something with a side zipper, because this was going to be my first pair of pants, and I did not want a buggered up zipper staring at me from front and center!

Going with pants excluded the white fabric from the running--didn't have enough. So brown won by default. I decide to try Simplicity 3846, close myself into the spare room so Isabella can't be pesky, spread out the fabric, and...I can't do it. I couldn't bring myself to cut into the brown fabric. It's just too nice, and I have enough for a dress someday, so I decided to keep it in one piece for now.

So we're back to white, and it can't take more than two yards. Uh oh. A skirt? Hmm, well, the fabric was purchased with a skirt in mind, and it did have a white zipper pinned to it for the past four years. Okay, I figure as long as I stick to a more fitted skirt, maybe it'll be okay. I chose Simplicity 4748, which I only ever bought because I liked the purse! I figure the worst that can happen is I end up with a white skirt.

Oh, the angst involved in choosing a size when you haven't made a pattern before. I study the measurements. I take mine again. I study them some more. I finally decide on a size and cross my fingers. When I get to the point where I can try it on, I am so relieved--it JUST fits. Whew.

I continue. I put in the zipper (no tutorial this time, Roxanne, sorry!), make the facings, trim them up with bias tape (no wild contrasts this time, or it'll show through), put in the hem, and decide to try it on again.


It's too big. How on earth did we get from "juuuuuust fits" to hanging like a sack? Grrr. Okay, I can handle this. After picking out all sorts of seams, taking it in, and sewing it back together, I'm happy again. I finish up the slit with some pretty lace, and it's done!




So, what do you think? It isn't from the pages of Vogue or anything, but as a cool summer outfit to wear to work at the library?


8 comments:

Friar Suppliers said...

I think the outfit is lovely. You've done a wonderful job.

Anonymous said...

It works!! Looks very comfy too!!

Random question, I've only ever been lurking on Wardrobe Refashion, but have just signed up for the 2 month stint that starts in July. I am wondering how the heck to add the little button to my blog and noticed that you are on blogger too, so figured I might ask you.

Darling Petunia said...

Thank you, Mary Ellen and Julie! I think it will be very cool and comfortable. I didn't have a slip with a slit, so I picked one up for $2 at the thrift shop last night. Now I'm all set!

Darling Petunia said...

Answer to Julie's random question:

Once you sign in at Blogger, hit the Customize button. Next hit Add Page Element (along the right) and then Picture. Once you have that screen, you can enter a title, caption, whatever. I saved the WR button to my computer and then just uploaded it from there. Make sense?

I'm glad to hear you're going to be refashioning! It's been fun, and I can't believe two months went past so quickly. I need to remember to re-sign!

Copper said...

Awesome! Perfect. You wear that and be sexy for me.

Thanks for the entertaining story. Too funny.

Anonymous said...

Love the outfit, it looks so summery and comfy!

I noticed your note about a zipper tutorial, and thought I'd share this one that I bookmarked from here: http://flickr.com/photos/greenkitchen/collections/
(click my name for the direct link)

I'm a little scared of zippers as well, and this made it look pretty easy. Any tips you have to add would be awesome!

BTW, did you find the Built by Wendy top fit true to the measurements listed? I'm between sizes and am wondering if I should go up or down. Up seems safer, but its already a loose top, I don't want it to be a big sack on me....

Darling Petunia said...

Copper,

I'm glad you found humor in my tale of woe. I'm sure it's common among all who sew!

Anonymous said...

It looks so cute, and the skirt is light and comfortable! Great job! I'm a school librarian, and it would be exactly something I would wear! Thanks for the details in resizing the skirt!