So this is actually the wearable muslin that I made before I made the Papercut Clover dress that I blogged the other day [a dress that I really, really like]. It's all finished, and it fits great, but to be honest I'm not so sure about it.
I think this is an instance where I liked the fabric but I chose the wrong application, and it just isn't quite right. I don't know. I like the pattern, and I like the fabric, but I don't like combo of the two. The yellow and the floral together with the black 'v'...it's just not speaking to me. All I see is that giant 'v.'
V for victory! Velocity! Viscosity! Visigoths!
Ok so pattern notes...not much to say here. I am 33-27-38 and I made a straight XS. On this one I shortened the sleeves by 1.25", which was about as much as I could before the curve of the underarm got too severe. I like the scale better on my arms. With the sleeves as is, I felt like they were too long for me and made me look a little droopy/slouchy.
Both the yellow floral and the black insets are rayon. Even though it's a looser fit, the flowy rayon means that it doesn't look blocky or poofy when I wear it because it's constantly moving around. In fact I think it's a little more flattering in real like than it is in these pictures.
To finish the neckline, the pattern has you leave a shoulder seam open, do the binding, then close the shoulder seam. So no binding in the round. Which is awesome, except that I totally didn't do it that way! I sewed the whole top together and then looked at the instructions. So I bound it in the round and was super lazy and just folded under the raw edge. And it's fine! Whoops!
Despite my lack of enthusiasm for this rendition, I still really like this pattern, and I'm planning to do another one out of this navy polka dot poly chiffon I bought the other day. I was thinking of doing some shirring around the sleeves to make them a little poofy - which is a word I've now said twice in one post. I think that means it's time to wrap it up.
Have you ever had any pattern/fabric combo fails?
I really like this top, the fabric is awesome! I keep seeing this patten made up, and I think I'll need to buy it for summer...I had a fabric fail with my first Colette Moneta, I used a super soft merino knit which grows alarmingly throughout the day. Not the most flattering choice!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm. I see what you mean (actually it reminds me of a giant monobrow......). It's cute but if you wanted to save it could you be bothered adding some black piping to the raglan seams? Might save the day. Or monobrow it up - I say if it works for Oscar the grouch it'll work for anyone.
ReplyDeleteLOL I hadn't thought of that!! Maybe I should add eyes and a mouth...
DeleteI actually really like it! I love the yellow and the v looks fine to me...
ReplyDeleteI had the same situation. I've been saving a really soft black and white voile for over a year and decided to make the Clover with a black lace for the V. I....just don't feel right in it.
ReplyDeleteI like the dress and I love this notion. I'm trying to think of how to make it, though, so I'll love the final make. I was thinking somehow of matching prints, flowers with stripes, dots, or larger or smaller scale fabric, with the colors not such a contrast......
I really like it although I can understand that you find the V a little stark. Can you create a narrower V from your yellow floral fabric and insert into middle of black V? So it would look like 3 narrow Vs. It would dramatically reduce the visual impact of the black V. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
ReplyDeleteI it's a cute top! I do see what you mean about the black standing out quite a bit. Want if you added black sleeves? I think that sort of colour blocking works well with the raglan shape. Would be a relatively easy fix too.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the photos make the V & fabric appear more compatible, because I'm loving it! And the drapey-ness is oh-so-dreamy I want to reach through my screen and touch it
ReplyDeleteMy whole sewing career is filled with pattern/fabric combo fails, to the degree that I incorporated it into the name of my blog: combining pattern and fabric and wishing fort the best... :D
ReplyDeleteI think this is so cute! I really like it on you? What about just wearing a couple of longer necklaces with it- I can imagine a couple of dangly gold necklaces sort of breaking up the v and looking cute.
ReplyDeleteooooh i like your thinking!!!
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