Two weeks ago, I holed up with my sewing machine to alter an existing pattern for the red sailor skirt. Remember when I said drafting often brings me face-to-face with my own limitations? Yeah. Pattern-perfect but something wasn't working in reality. Maybe fabric.
Eleventh hour frustration and I started again from scratch and traced off the Colette Meringue sans scallops. So here it is.
Too loose? Too short? Too A-line? I don't know. I'm sort of happy with it. The first red skirt went into the Purgatory Pile. And this Meringue skirt I could love if only I didn't spend all my days at offices with nearly covered knees and I could bask in reliable sunshine.
One neat alteration I added was a side button closure instead of an invisible zipper. I used the pattern pieces from BurdaStyle's Ruby Shorts.
Good news is: My mini red wardrobe has really enticed me into wearing more red, whether me-made or not, and I realize how happy warm colors make me. You'll see them lots in these Me-Made photos below!
Me-made LBD 1.0 and cowl. This is a typical travel combo for me: basic knit dress and leggings, colorful cardi, and scarf. Easy to pack and comfy for long rides.
Me-made Victory Patterns Lola! She hasn't been featuring much in my Me-Made photos but once I tear off my day's clothes, I lounge in my Lola and at bedtime slip into my avocado Lola nightie.
Me-Made navy Jalie 3024 in french terry with a cloche made by Jessica of a Yen for Craft. Off to the Maker's Faire!
The Red Meringue has its day. I don't like tucking. I know it doesn't look bad, but it makes me uncomfortable.
Me-made Sunday Morning skirt in denim (70s pattern). On the way to work.
Me-made purple crepe slip dress from 40s pattern.
Not a great day: As an underlayer, me-made tank and cowl. Me-Made May makes me want to fix all the clothes I love, so I fixed the clasp on these capris so I could wear them.
Me-made knit dress from Burda Mag. By far one of my favorite me-mades, so comfy and stylish.
I expect more from my wardrobe, more from my sewing skill set. I'm no longer satisfied with just making a wearable garment. I want to it to be perfectly fitting and well-made and versatile. And yikes, is that hard. I'm afraid I don't have the patience for it and it makes me not want to sew at all. I've been making all sorts of sloppy mistakes lately—logging a lot of seam ripper time.
Maybe I should just stick to knit dresses. They're easy to make and I love them immensely.
What about you? Is what you want out of sewing changing?
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I love the red skirt! It's super cute! The button closure is really too sweet. I feel like I've been changing a bit sewing-wise... I've begun to be more reflective about what I sew and trying to sew things that I will wear everyday and that fit my style. Previously, I tended to just sew things that I saw other people make that were cute, even though they don't really fit into my lifestyle that well. I'm a bit of a tomboy with a slight rocker edge, so it's really hard for me to work my cotton candy pink A-line skirt into my daily wardrobe! MMM has been really helpful in this regard.
ReplyDeleteI love the red skirt too, and I am totally envious of your awesome button closure!!! You look so pretty in red - it really pops on you.
ReplyDeleteI say embrace the knit dress if you love them and they make you happy. Go for it!
The side button closure is awesome!
ReplyDeletei love red on you, the skirt is great. I agree with sarah, go for what makes your hear beat faster - go knit !
ReplyDeletei love everything about this series of garments: they mix and match well, they're cute and look comfy and they look like your style. fantastic!
ReplyDeleteas far as style evolution, i'm having the same problems. i want more out of my clothes that i make and my skill level isn't there yet. it put me in a not-making-anything rut for a while. i've talked about what i think i want out of my style a couple of times.
I agree with Sarah and gingermakes --- go with what you want. If you're feeling knit dresses and only knit dresses ... the rest will come back with time. But before then, sounds like knit dresses are totally you're thing right now, anyways!
ReplyDeleteI love the button closure on your skirt. Lately, I've started to alter patterns to make them more me. I have never done this in all my years of sewing. I am so used to following the directions to the letter that it is really revolutionary for me to do more than lengthen or shorten a pattern. Now I add ruffles, contrasting bands and a few times, sleeves. I think I am becoming more aware of my style because of all the encouragement I get from reading and writing my blog. And I find I enjoy sewing so much more now!
ReplyDeleteThis selection of outfits feels like there is def a "you" style showing through (& I love it!) - I think you have worked out the basics, in terms of the shapes & colours that suit you & are now thinking about the wearability/ practicality. As they say, go with what you want to wear & being a fellow knit fan, I know that everytime I put a knit dress on I wish I had more ...part of that is also the lack of ironing required ;-)
ReplyDeleteYour red skirt is cute & the button closure is so clever. I also LOVE your purple dress, so pretty on you
I agree red looks gorgeous on you! Love the buttons. I am too reaching a limit when it comes to fitting. It's so hard to do on yourself and I get frustrated. I am struggling with adjusting a jacket to fit my style and body. Probably I'm just screwing it all up....not a great sewing day
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