Wednesday, July 11, 2012

And now for a little bit of colour

The skirt fabric was inherited from a friend quite a while ago.  It could only be a skirt.  Can't imagine what else I'd make from such a bold print.  Problem was - a skirt needs a top, and nothing seemed to go with it.  White and cream looked hideous.  Black didn't work either.  A few weeks back I was in Fabricland, and there on the 75% off table was this rather muddy dark green bamboo voile.  A little bell went off in my head - that's almost the same green as what's in the peacock fabric.  Went home, checked the print.  Sure enough - should work.  I really was taking my chances, because it was quite a few days later that I went back for the green fabric.  My thinking being - if it's meant to be, it will be there.  Sure enough - so ugly no one else would want it.  It's also a rather odd fabric.  Bamboo knits are soooo soft and wonderful.  This is also bamboo, but much, much crisper than linen, and about as sheer as handkerchief linen.  No-one at the store seemed to know what would happen after the fabric was washed.  There's only one way to fine out.  My green fabric was put through the washer and the dryer.  Still as crispy as ever.  Rather wrinkly too.  It almost feels rough to the touch - definitely not a "cozy" fabric.
For the skirt I followed Sherry's instructions for her Miranda skirt - more or less.  The mathematical part of my brain must have gone on holiday.  For some reason I could not calculate the pleats.  Perhaps it's because I use inches for sewing, not centimeters, and calculators use decimals, and it all gets really, really confusing.  Could also be that I did my usual scan through the instructions without actually reading all the information.  I persevered.  Three tries later I had even pleats.  No side seams needed - this print runs along the selvedge, though it's not actually a border print.  One invisible zipper and one waistband later, and we have a skirt.  Would this mean that this is Javanese fabric?
What kind of a top can one make from very crispy fabric?  The only thing that I thought would work, was a shirt.  (Obviously - that's what I made.)

McCalls 5433  is getting to be a "TNT" for me.  (Now apparently OOP! - does this mean that my shirt is now out-of-date?)  I widened the 3/4 sleeves just a tad, because the last time I made these, they turned out rather snug - not impossible to wear, just impossible to roll up once they're on my arms.  Sort of annoying - having to remember to roll up the sleeves before putting on the shirt.  Left off the collar - just because.  Didn't put in all the buttonholes - it's summer I will never, ever be buttoning this thing up to my neck.  Besides, I've seen shirts done this way - so it's not just my crazy laziness.  Oh! - I actually made french seams - but only on the sleeves.  Don't want anyone seeing ugly serging when I roll those sleeves up!  I added tucks.  Why, oh why do I come up with these make-work-projects when I'm dealing with cranky fabric that refuses to cooperate?  Two tries to get more-or-less straight tucks.  The first try got cut off and chucked.  I finally resorted to my cranky sewing machine - the one with the fancy 1/4 inch foot.

Still not perfect, but I really didn't want to stitch 10 more tucks.  The tucks were sewn before I cut the fronts of the shirt.  I just measured to make sure that they would fit the space between the seam and the dart.  I know - cheater's method, but it works.
Now I'm working on this that and the other thing in spits and spurts.  I do wish that I could get back to designating myself a "sewing day".  Unfortunately, there are too many "other projects" at the moment, so the only way sewing is going to happen, is in bits and pieces.  There is progress, and that's the main thing.

12 comments:

  1. This outfit is gorgeous Irene!! I love everything about it. And I can definitely see the fabulous potential in that "muddy" fabric too, it is perfect for that skirt, and I am very partial to muddy colours myself :)

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  2. Wow! You've made something really special out of two pieces of unlikely fabric. There's something almost atmospheric about the two pieces together. It feels like they could be in the wardrobe of a lady explorer in the 1930s without feeling at all costume.

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  3. Lovely! I made the Miranda skirt too and had problems with the math. Also blamed it on the metric conversion. And I wouldn't call your tuck method a "cheater", I'd just call it smart. Great color choice for the blouse, too.

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  4. Gorgeous outfit. I'd also consider a blue stretch knit top for a more relaxed look.

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  5. Oh my goodness, such beautiful sewing! You had quite an eye for color when you paired these two fabrics. The whole outfit and style is fantastic! I really love it!

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  6. Beautiful, Irene. And, egads, your workmanship is impeccable!

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  7. Those are both very pretty pieces. I like the tucks on the shirt. I have that shirt pattern too, and I love how you've changed it up.

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  8. Your pintucks are perfect, perfect, perfect!! The fabric you used for the skirt is lovely. I want it!!

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  9. When I saw your picture I thought, "what a unique and pretty color combintation." That shirt goes perfctly with the skirt and together they make a wonderful outfit.

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  10. Both pieces are so very professional looking Irene. Love them. I also like your info on making tucks before cutting out the garment piece. Great tip!

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  11. That blouse is perfect for the skirt and also second that your pintucks are perfect.

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  12. Irene - The outfit is beautiful. The blouse looks perfect on the photo.

    I know how it feels not to be able to have sew days. Right now I'm not getting any sewing done. Work is consuming most of my free time.

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