Sunday, January 19, 2020

Panties!


I have been testing this pattern, the Acacia Underpants (which on top of its perfection, it is FREE!), for some time now... I think this is the fourth trial, and I can finally say they are perfect now. 
The trial and error has to do with sizing. Following the size chart resulted in some small knickers at the beginning, with some big elastic bands! Then I went two sizes up and it was too big. Finally, a medium size, for this fabric, is perfect. 
With such close to the skin, tight piece, one has to be accurate and precise. Not all the fabrics have the same stretch, and it happens the same with elastic bands. 
I have used a gorgeous black organic cotton from Ray Stitch. Since it is a small rib knit, it has some give in it without any plastic, which is great. They have it also in white. 
Now I am waiting for somebody to make some organic elastic band 5mm wide. Please!
I love them. I can't stop wearing even the smaller and bigger samples, so with these perfectly sized ones, my skin and mucosae are going to be very happy.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Long Wool Skirt n the Bias


 I have been planning for a second long bias skirt since I made the 1st one in a wool polyester blend (some time ago, I was not so picky with fabrics, to my regret now). 
In my last trip to fabric (and music concerts going) shopping in London, I found this gorgeous Lady McElroy wool chenille in The Village Haberdashery at about 14 Euros the metre. Pure wool in black and white, with a speck of pink. It cannot be more gorgeous. I was doing some calculation in the shop and finally I got 2 metres, which became the right amount for a long bias skirt like this.
The pattern is mine, I drafted it using Aldrich's book, and I have used it for shorter versions quite a number of times. The waist darts of the fabric are eliminated and substituted by flare from top to bottom. The fact that it is bias cut, adds movement, drape and hang to the fabric. 

I lined it with a good rayon, put an invisible zipper on one side and a waist band to be worn in my high waist. 


The idea of the outfit, with the white blouse, came watching Divorce. S.J. Parker is often an inspiration, (notwithstanding the impossible high heels she wears all the time) and she is wearing a similar skirt with a white blouse that I found perfect. 
Not to brag, but my blouse (a perfect Burda pattern wit a bow in front, princess seams and 3/4 sleeves) is even better.
It is a dream of a skirt. It looks gorgeous with white, and also with a black top. With a wool channel jacket or with a black leather biker. With chunky high heels, like in this pictures, but also with combat boots.
Wearing it, I feel like a queen, with the skirt moving from side to side when I walk. Plus, it is very comfortable and warm.
A jewel in my wardrobe. 

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Nani Iro Pussy Bow Blouse and Long Blue Corduroy Ruffled Skirt

These two pieces go well together, so they've become a tandem.
First, I used this wonderful Japanese cotton to make Sew Ove it's Pussy Bow Blouse, and its become the perfect blouse pattern in the perfect fabric. It is soft, with the perfect drape, comfortable and gorgeous. Also expensive, considering it's only 1 m wide.
The Pussy Bow Blouse is a fantastic pattern. It does not have any bust or waist darts, so it is a rectangle with bust circumference. Being rather big breasted, these kind of patterns hanging from my big boobs tend to render me fat, but in this case, I love it! The key element in the deep V-neck cut, surrounded with a bow that can be done or hang loose. That detail makes it the sassy librarian blouse style, adorable. 

Sleeves are also beautifully cut, their caps are perfect and their cuffs too. And it is simply gorgeous in this fabric. My students told me it seemed Chinese, and they were close enough, so the Japanese style of the print, with small white and silver painted over a shady blue making it seem hand painted.

Regarding the skirt, it is totally my creation. I had this corduroy that resulted too thin for a pair of trousers, and finally I came with this idea of a long skirt with a ruffle at the bottom. It's comfortable, warm, and looks nice with combat boots. Maybe it is strange for people, someone told me I seemed out of a fairy tale... and I don't know if that is good or bad. But I like it, so the rest, I do not care!