So when I found a similar fabric at Moodfabrics.com, I knew just what it was going to become. Unfortunately, I had a number of problems. For starters, I only bought a yard, and a big chunk of it had the flowers sewn down with the dull side of the ribbon showing. I didn't want part of my skirt shiny and part matte, so I couldn't use that part. I figured out that I cold put a center back seam in it and squeeze the skirt out of the remaining shiny part.
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| I did not intend to leave it without a hem. |
Cute, right? Except:
Ugh! Messy side seams! The backs matched perfectly, BTW, I just didn't have enough fabric to make the sides match up. And honestly, I wasn't even thinking about it. Yes, I realize nobody would have noticed but me. I tried to forget about that awful twinning. I let the skirt rest for a day to think about it, but I just couldn't leave it that way. Brainstorm! Why not add silky panels down the side seams in a matching rosy pink like tuxedo pants have:
More ugh! What a puckered mess! I couldn't iron on those flowers to get a crisp edge to the side panel and the stretchy mesh behind the ribbon roses pulled it out of shape. I could take the side panels off and add some interfacing, but by this time I had decided it wasn't going to be very flattering anyway. For someone who is always trying to make her top half look more proportionate to her bottom half, that much texture and shine on my bottom half wasn't the best idea.
Bummer! However, I think I can refashion the skirt pieces into something else. It will need to be a garment for my upper half, and it needs to at least have 3/4 sleeves because the roses are slightly scratchy. Anyone have a good idea? I am open for suggestions.
Ok, I'm not patronizing, but I really don't even see the twinning in the side seam pick. It looks like a regular repeat to me. :-( I hope you can remake it into something you like.
ReplyDeleteBummer about the skirt but the fabric is beautiful. I think you should make a collette macaron but turn into a tunic length. You can use the same fabric from your tuxedo stripe to make the contrast top and belt.
ReplyDeleteI love the fabric and the first version was good to me. Rose Brown has a point. Colette macaron gives you lots of options to mix the textures in the top, sleeve, belt or any option that suits your design potential.
ReplyDeleteI'm working with this at the moment and I'm using the contrast in the top yolk and sleeves.
V8721 jacket could work.
McCalls 6460 has a similar formal dress where you can mix textured or sheers in a dress.
I like the first version as well. Actually, I think it is gorgeous and I can't see the problems you are referring to. I would love to have a skirt like this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bummer. That Tessuti skirt has stuck in my mind for a long time, too.
ReplyDeleteI also like the first version and would go back to that. I thought "good matching!". Anyway good luck - I look forward to seeing if you keep it or change it!
ReplyDeleteI liked the first version of the skirt as well. I'd be hesitant to make it into a top for fear of the placement of the large rosy circles ending up in 2 unfortunate places on the top, if you catch my drift. Is there a way you can save the skirt and still be happy with it?? If not, you could make a pretty clutch or a lovely pillow. Sadly that's the best I've got, but i hope you make it work!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't see any messy side seams. I love the first version and the second version is cute, too.
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda, I'm with the rest of the group here, I like the first version of your skirt, but if you are not going to be happy with it, I'll use it to make a special dress for you daughter for her next B-Day or Easter :)
ReplyDeleteI found a cute one, here is the link:
http://www.prettyflowergirl.com/store/index.php/baby-1/infant-dresses/pink-rolled-rosettes-baby-dress.html
as everybody say, the first one looks very good, I didn't notice it didn't match, it looks nice!
ReplyDeleteBut if you are not happy with it better use the fabric for a dress, I mean you can just add something to a front part of a dress
I am looking and looking but I don't see what's wrong with the first version. And you know I am a perfectionist. If I bought this skirt of the rack in a better store, this is how the seams would look. Please give your first version another look. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteI agree with other, the first version is beautiful. The fabric is beautiful. And I think most people will notice the front or the back but not the sides. But if you are not happy with it, you won't wear it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful fabric. I agree that this would be perfectly acceptable in most stores, but after reading your blog for a while I see that your standards are quite a bit higher. That said, I am thinking that as stunning as this fabric is it might be really special as an accent. Perhaps as a shawl collar on a jacket or on a cardigan. I could also picture it as a hem treatment on a fuller skirt, ballerina-like. Maybe two rows or so. Anyway, what ever you decide to do I am sure it will be lovely.
ReplyDeleteI am so envious... where do you find such lovely fabric to work with?
ReplyDeleteI think the first version looked absolutely lovely, and I have to admit I can't see anything wrong with the side seams. I would be wearing this skirt a LOT :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you do get to wear it
You can use it as a jacket lapel on a simple shawl collar jacket. But I think it looked fine the first time, pre side stripe!
ReplyDeleteThe rosettes are irregular enough that you won't be able to match them exactly. I see nothing wrong with the first version. And, truly, if nit-picky people comment snidely about how awful they think your garments look, you don't want them for friends, anyway! Salutations to you for even attempting a garment make with this delicate material. I have avoided sewing anything with these beautiful beribboned fabrics, because they remind me of the time I had to alter an evening gown for a beauty pageant contestant: the gown was silk chiffon, hand embroidered with tiny silvered glass beads. I still have nightmares about that alteration, 20 years since.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the other commenters on your version - it's lovely! But when I look at the pic from Tesutti, I can't help but wonder if that big belt is hiding some kind of disaster at the waist.
ReplyDeleteLove the fabric but I can see that it must have been tricky to work with. Hope you refashion it into something lovely soon
ReplyDeleteGem
x
Are you sure this is a wadder? Mood Fabrics seems to like it!
ReplyDeleteI think your skirt looks great. I had to look hard to find the problem which isn't much of a problem at all.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, you have the best sewing blog I have ever seen and you wear your creations well. With midlife upon me I have gained so much weight in the middle and I have been making some comfortable easy skirts. After reading your blog I think I am ready to venture into more intriguing patterns.
ReplyDeleteWhat a disappointment! For what it's worth, I think both versions look good, but if you don't like it, you don't like it. The only thing that's coming to my mind for a top is "strong shoulder," but that could venture into crazy town.
ReplyDeleteTry Vogue 8815 view b.
ReplyDeleteI liked the first version... if it bothers you add a piping?
ReplyDeleteif its a top, maybe a simple dartless sleeveless top as there's too much going on with fabric already.
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ReplyDeleteAwww . I hate when that happens. I think it could be cute as a tee top with sheer sleeves and trim.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pity this skirt didn't turn out to your liking - it's amazing fabric so I hope you can salavage it into something wearable. I've tried putting some fabric strips down a too tight pencil skirt to make it wider and it didn't look very flattering at all - just drew attention to that area.
ReplyDeleteI would make a simple sleeveless shell top, to wear with some cigarette pants or a pencil skirt. If the roses are too scratchy for you arms could you make some sleeves out of a contrasting fabric such as chiffon or satin but in a similar hue?
Amanda-I share your perfectionistic streak, but I vote for keeping the skirt, V1 or V2. With V2, you might consider a "Chanel" fix--add additional trim on top of the satin such as silk or organza ribbon roses to obscure the "rumples" and blend in texturally, while still breaking up the bigger roses. This is one of those projects where sleep and closet seasoning might improve your satisfaction.
ReplyDeleteokay, so, i have no suggestions for a rework, but i DO have agreat suggestion for the next time you think your side seams are wacky:
ReplyDeleteconsider it a lesson learned, AND THEN SEND IT STRAIGHT TO ME.
Love the skirt but really loving the jacket!! I have added a few of your projects to my list!!
ReplyDeleteI just recently came across your blog Amanda, and your work is beautiful. I can see why you're unhappy with the skirt , even though I think it's gorgeous! The only suggestion I have is to maybe use the pink satin to cover piping cord , and insert that in the side seams. It would separate the flowers and would sit better than the panels maybe? A good idea for a heavily textured fabric like this is to cut the skirt as one piece, with just a centre back seam. Extra darts could be put at the waist to allow for shaping ( although unfortunately it won't help with this version!)Chris :)
ReplyDeleteI loved the first version!..It looked beautiful to me..
ReplyDelete