Wool pencil skirt... to tuck or not to tuck?

When I go through my closet and get rid of things, there are always a couple of things I can't bear to part with yet.  Because of that, I have a pile of older clothes waiting for me to do some type of refashion, and I still have some UFOs, even after finishing or pitching many of them a year or so ago.  Since I'm really working on enjoying what I have (stash sewing and such), I'm going to try to do a weely or bi-weekly UFO finish or refashion.  We'll see how long this lasts...

 

Here is my first entry - a wool pencil skirt.  I've had the fabric for at least five years (one of my very first Sawyer Brook purchases) and the half-finished skirt for about three.  I have no clue what the pattern is, but it's a straight-forward pencil skirt with some waist tucks and a narrow waistband.

Last night, all I had to do was add the waistband, zipper, and hems, and I was ready for church this morning.

Now here is my question - do you think it looks better with a top tucked or untucked?  I don't have a very defined waist, and the waist I do have is quite high, so I feel like I look proportionally "off" a lot of times if I tuck in a top.  I wore the skirt to church today with an untucked top, but I was a little sad it covered the tucks.

I think the proportion looks fine from the back - it's just the front where I feel like it looks super high-waisted

I was worried the pleats would make the skirt poof out over my belly area, but that's wasn't a problem.

Closeup of the tucks.

and super closeup of the fabric.  Soooo gorgeous.  I bought about a yard and a half of this before I knew much about fabric requirements for sewing different garments.  I think it was a remnant and I had dreams of sewing a jacket... with 1.5 yards.  Ha!!  It took me several years to come to terms with the fact that I just didn't have enough fabric, and a skirt was the way to go.

So back to my question, do you think it looks better tucked or untucked?  Am I just way too concerned with the position of my waist ?

Rocky Coast Cardigan

Voila!  My favorite new sweater!  This is the quickest sweater I've knitted in... ever.  I'm sure the size 10 needles had something to do with that.  The pattern is in the book Coastal Knits, where I also got the pattern for this hat.  The pattern's ravelry page is here.
 

 There's not much else to say - it was a pretty easy knit, and I think it looks really nice.

 After I finished it, I saw there are some suggestions to improve the fit around the neck and upper arms.  I can see how that would be good (it's a bit snug up top), but I find it fits ok as written.

 The fabric is Berroco Ultra Alpaca (50% alpaca/50% wool).  It's a bit warm for now, even with the open stitches, but it'll be great in the fall.

 There is no closure on the cardi, so I used this little pin I got in Orkney in Scotland.  It's the edge of a ship.

 Here it is open.

 And here it is in action with one of my little hams, all ready for bed.

Vogue 1271

Here is my Vogue 1271, with LOTS of photos.

 Voila!  First, let me say it is a smidge snug in the midsection.  Noticing a pattern after my last post?  Maybe it's time to up my cutting size.  That or I could go put on my running shoes.  Anyway, it's no fault of the pattern, just mine for not making a muslin.

 I really like this design.  It's a bit more interesting than my usual with these sleeves, but it's pretty mellow as far as trends go.

 You even get to see the kick pleat in action thanks to the wind.

 I was planning to wear this to church, but it's a bit too short for me to feel comfortable there, so it will probably just be a going-out dress.  I've already informed hubs he needs to take me out for dinner.

 I didn't have a buckle to sew on the belt (it's just decorative anyway), so I pinned my favorite pin from Scotland on there and I think it looks quite nice.

 My dress looks lower cut than the model's.  i dont' think it's because it's too tight.  There's definitely room for ease in the bodice.

 I also carried the belt detail around on the back, which the pattern didn't do.  They just have the midriff on back.

 Close up of the sleeves.  The fabric is Ruby Flannel from Sawyer Brook.  It's a bit too soft to hold the sleeve folds, so I stitched them on the inside of the pleats.  They still open a bit, as you can see.  I guess I could use some hand tacks to keep everything in place.

There you have it!  My newest dress I wll only wear a couple times a year. :-)  Time to get back to sewing sportswear and home dec.

Vogue 2907

Finished my pants. Woohoo!!

The fabric is a wool/linen blend from Sawyer Brook which is now sold out. Sad, because it's a really cool fabric. I was worried that the pants might be itchy unlined because of the wool content, but I've worn them all afternoon in total comfort. I didn't line these pants because I want them to be as breezy as possible. I also pre-washed and dried in the machines so I can machine launder the pants. Gotta love that.

The pattern is Vogue 2907, which I've made enough times to know the pattern number by heart.

P.S. How sad is it that I JUST figured out how to add a photo from the web without first saving it to my computer?

I LOOOOOVE these pants! The fit is perfect, which has much more to do with finding a great pattern that happens to fit me than it has to do with my fitting skills. I like the drawstring waist that I added. All I did was make the waistband a little narrower than the pattern (I don't like how high the original comes up on me, despite what the pattern photo would suggest) and add buttonholes to pass the drawstring between the waistband and waistband facing. The drawstring is a narrow tube of fabric, turned with a bodkin, and knotted on both ends to keep it from slipping inside the waistband. I also added a button and buttonhole behind the drawstring tie for added security.

I hemmed these pretty long so I can wear them with either flats or wedge heels, of which I own quite a few for summer.
The pant legs are quite wide, which is apparently back in style now after all those weird muffin top, tapered-leg monstrosities.

Some more pics:






Also, sorry if you got a post about my kiddo's birthday party in your reader. Put that one up on the wrong blog at first. Worse things have happened, right? :-)

Vogue 7975

I found the sneaky, hiding buttons for my plaid vest and finished it up with some quick buttonholes. The pattern I used is the classic Vogue 7975, which I bought to make a Chanel-style cardigan. Now that I know it fits well, I'm really getting the bug to make that Chanel jacket again. I also altered the neckline and tacked on a collar from Simplicity 2473.

Without further ado, here's the vest:







The buttons are from Sawyer Brook but are long sold out.

Plaid Vest Update

This is just a quick update on my plaid vest. I have the bulk of it assembled. Now it just needs a very good pressing before closing the side seams and hemming. Here it is, modeled by my lovely counter stool.

Plaid Sew-Along at Sawyer Brook

It's been a pretty nuts week, but I got back to sewing today. Well, I got back to cutting, to be more precise. I'm just starting a plaid sew-along at Sawyer Brook in which I'll make the wool vest I just started and a plaid cotton flannel shirt. I just put up a little post about cutting.

Here are two pics:

McCalls 5857 Shorts

I made up some wool winter shorts with McCalls 5957. This was my first time making this pattern.


These shorts are part of my SWAP. It's funny. When I make these SWAPs, I usually whip up some tops quickly and then am stuck making all my bottoms last. Well, I only have one and a half bottoms to go this time (one is a super easy pair of leggings), and I've only made one top so far.

Stylistic aside: Two pairs of my boots recently were laid to rest - one pair due to cat urine... grrrrrr, and one just ripped apart at the side after 7 years of wear. The peed-on pair were my dark brown boots, which I would have preferred with the dark tights. I actually changed into some brown flats after the pictures. I don't really like how the light boots with the rest of the outfit. ANYWAY...

This pattern has a mock fly, which worked out fine, especially since I lined the shorts due to the scratchy wool. If I make this pattern again for unlined summer shorts, I'll make a true fly opening to finish the zipper nicely.

My only complaint (and it's more because of me than the pattern) is they are a bit too small and you can see some pull lines at the sides. My measurements have me between a size 12 and 14. However, I almost always make a 10. I prefer the ease and fit when I make a 10. So, I blindly cut a 10 on these, only taking a quick look at the finished hip measurement first. Well, I couldn't even get the waistband shut on the 10, so I recut one a few inches longer. The rest of the shorts fit ok (if a smidge snug), but the waistband was nowhere close. The top edge was supposed to be be eased in to the waistband (but they'd have to be almost "gathered" to that little waistband. Mine really have no easing into the larger waistband. They are totally flat. (make any sense) So, I guess if I'd started with a size 14, I'd be fine, but then the shorts may have been pretty baggy.

Also, these shorts are a bit higher rise than I prefer. You can see here, they come up to my belly button, almost at my true waist. I probably won't wear anything tucked in the waistband with this fit, which is a shame, because the waistband and belt loops came out nice! :-)

Here you can see the front and zipper better. I just loooove this beautiful wool fabric from Sawyer Brook (bought several years ago, so now sold out).

Here's the back. You can see one dart on each side. One final, minor change I'd make on another pair - add a welt pocket or two on the back. I just think back pockets make shorts look a little nicer and more expensive. Maybe that's just me. :-)


Pattern Review is here.

Shorts, cooking, and painting

This morning, I diligently took pictures of my newest complete garment, a pair of wool shorts. Unfortunately, I didn't want to drag my pint-sized photographer outside and didn't want to get out the nice camera and change the lens, and they came out very badly, so I'll be staging another photo shoot soon.

Until then, here's a quick look at the problem I had with pockets bagging out.


I simply unstitched the basting at the top of the pocket and pulled the front piece up about 3/8". Worked like a charm.


In other news, here's a lovely Florida tomato tart I made on Sunday night. Isn't it pretty? I got the recipe from a little booklet that was free with a local farm stand purchase of tomatoes. Unfortunately, my husband wasn't a huge fan of the spice mixture and texture, and the kids weren't crazy about it (and they're not generally picky eaters), so if I make it again, I'll definitely tweak it a bit. Kind of sad when your homemade pie crust and fresh, local produce culminate in a pretty, but not delicious ending.


Finally, here's a look at my kitchen walls. You may recall I had painted them bright green and then had second thoughts about the brightness. I ended up sponge-painting over all but the wall behind the cabinets with a lighter green. I'm happy with the results and am anxious to make the curtains. I'm not allowing myself to buy the fabric until I touch up the white trim, though. :-) (and that's my littlest ham, trying to find the perfect piece to complete his train track. He couldn't find it by rummaging, so I guess he had to get in and have a look.)