WhatIWore: Ever have a week when it just takes until Wednesday to get going? I’ve been focused on other things (like my living room makeover and planning for Felix’s birthday) and my outfit photos lately have been duds (tried two different times with one outfit and ended up trashing both sets of photos). But today! Today! I’m feeling it a little more. I just wrapped my Whole 30 and I’m really happy with the results. I’ll do a recap post and some after photos in the next week (hold me to that!).
But let’s talk about this outfit! I knew when I got this sweater that it would have an awesome retro vibe that could be perfect for anything from a 1950s full skirt to a pair of high rise 70s style jeans. For this look I paired it with my self made waist high flares, a vintage scarf, thrifted boots and a self made hat. Threw in those $12 sale sunglasses too. And I love it! I ditched the hat en route to town and was a little on the fence about the scarf, but ended up keeping it on and even scored a compliment (they do such wonders for your self esteem when you’re taking a risk!) So I felt great! Definitely hitting the 1970s art teach vibe on this one.
When: August 30, 2017
What: Hat: Self Made Shades: Loft Sweater: ModCloth (on sale!) Bag: Frye Jeans: Self Made (pattern notes here) Boots: Thrifted
Where: Donut Date!
Post Whole30, these jeans even feel a little loose fresh out of the dryer so I might take them in a smidge, but I kind of like the relaxed look too. I’ll be making this pattern up in a new fabric soon and I will definitely give them a closer fit to the body through the thigh.
So anyways! Gotta jet and clean up this house! Photos of the living room coming soon too!
Good morning everyone! Firstly - who’s excited for the eclipse this afternoon? Secondly? Raise your hand if you’ve been singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart” for the past week or so? No? Just me?
Today I’m really excited to show you the blouse I made last week - a wrap blouse with peplum and ruffle elements. I did made some minor changes to the construction of the garment, so let me tell you all about it!
Sewing Notes | McCalls 7602
I picked up the pattern during one of JoAnn Fabric’s 99 cent sales and I already had the polka dot fabric on hand. I used both the right and wrong sides of the print and I love how the subtle contrast enhances the design of this piece. I don’t know the kind or content it is but I’m guessing it’s a rayon. I was surprised it was so easy to sew! I lined it using a similar navy fabric I picked up elsewhere.
I cut a size 12 with the D cup option and used the tissue paper pattern as is for this piece.
The first thing I changed was to convert the faux wrap into an actual wrap. I created long ties in the self fabric and attached them to the smaller side seams of each front bodice piece. I left a small opening on one side seam to allow the under side of the bodice and it’s corresponding tie a place to exit the blouse. I also omitted the back zipper, as the wrap allows for an easy way to get this piece on!
Another thing I did differently was to line the entire garment, including the peplum and ruffle. I did this because I didn’t want to fiddle with a narrow hem on so many curved pieces. It also gave the final garment a really polished look inside and out. Unfortunately it weighed down the ruffle a bit so I added some hooks and thread tacks to help it out a little. Also my chest is huge and adding the extra closure helped not show off too much cleavage.
I would definitely sew this again - maybe in a pretty eyelet cotton for summer or another rayon that could layer with a turtleneck for fall and winter (very 70s school teacher, right??) If you’ve made this piece, I’d love to see your version!
To get a sneak peak of my next project, check out my instagram stories! I’m making a bit of a mini collection this season. I started with these jeans and now this top. All of the pieces sort of work back together and with what I have in my closet. I’m excited!“
WhatIWore: I know I know, you might be thinking, dang girl, didn’t you wear dark flares in last week’s outfit post and the answer is yes. But these are different! They’re different because I made them! Myself! I’m so on this 70s kick right now and I couldn’t fit the ultra high rise I wanted available in my budget so I thought, what the heck? Let’s do this. Felix was also on a visit to his grandparents house and Adam had Bea all morning so I managed to get them done in one sitting (I had cut them out the night before).
I’m still trying to figure out the right kind of top to wear to show off the waist - paired with my chest it’s a bit of a proportional challenge. But as I said earlier this summer, I’m not going to let these tatas stop me from wearing things I like! For this outfit I picked one of my cotton eyelet tops which was enhanced by layering over the dark denim.
When: August 13, 2017
What: Shades: Karen Walker ‘Super Duper’ Lipstick: MAC Chlii Necklace: Global Gifts (little store here in Bloomington) Blouse: American Eagle (from many years ago) High Rise Flare Jean: Self Made (Pattern McCalls 7547 - read more below if you’d like details! Boots: thrifted
Where: BBQ with the inlaws
Sewing Notes
Now some fit and sewing notes on the jeans! I love the ultra high rise - it’s about 12.5″ - higher than anything I’ve seen online. To carry on with that retro look, I used a traditional gold thread on a 11.5 oz dark 100% cotton denim that I bought at JoAnn Fabrics. Remember my old living room couch that I reupholstered (and then became my headboard?) I used the same denim there too! I thought I had leftover in storage but couldn’t find it and wanted to make use of my free weekend so just went and bought more. I bought 2 ¼ yards but I could have easily gotten away with under two (on 60″ wide fabric).
I first made a muslin mock up and determined I needed to size down (I ended up cutting a 10) and take in the knee to create more of a flare. I didn’t do a second muslin because I was just too excited to get rolling.
It took me a little under six hours from start to finish and I think would have gone smoother if I a) didn’t have bobbin tension issues on my machine b) didn’t run out of thread or have to rewind my bobbin three times and c) have to rip out and reinsert the lapped zipper. On the zipper I decided to switch to a matching navy thread instead of the gold so both sides would be more symmetrical.
After I had the jeans hemmed and complete I took some of Adam’s rough grain sandpaper, sat down and brushed where the natural whiskers of the jeans would be. I also brushed down the top of my thighs, the pocket and hem edges. Did you know most denim starts out this color and through a process of abrasion and chemical treatments it becomes the colors you see at the store! I hope this pair eventually has a worn in but dark denim look.
Fun Fact: I used to work in the apparel industry and got to see first hand how these processes are done when I traveled to our factories overseas!
My final takeaway - these are a good start! Next time I know I want to fit the thigh a little closer, especially if I work in 100% cotton. They stretched out a little too fast for my liking but I also don’t like looking stuffed into my jeans so I need to find the right in between fit. Alterations aren’t my strong suit, so if any of you reading this have some good tips on getting that back leg under the butt area (technical term) right, please help a sister out! Now that I’ve had a practice pair, I think I’ll probably buy some nice denim online and make another version but with different style front and back pockets. I also have yardage in a gorgeous rusty brown that will look sooo 70s (and I think I could knock out over the course of a couple evenings after the kids are in bed). All in all - I’m pleased!