It’s done. Ok, it’s not Done done but it’s done enough for me to post and start talking about what I learned. Pull up a chair and a beverage. This might take a while.
First of all – it’s a nice day, isn’t it? Sun is shining and temps are in the mid-50s already. I bet they break 70 down the hill. That means the light is best outside and the hummingbird feeder hook was handy. Also, there’s just no way for me to take a good/decent picture by myself so that’ll have to wait until Chris gets back from LA. Overall, I think I managed the spirit of the pattern and I’ll call the process a success. I’m pretty sure I’ll wear this – prolly for knocking around and as a coat/jacket on cool afternoons but, for me, there are some things I need to change. Here’s a better picture that shows the garment:
First issue is those big big big sleeves. I am really having a hard time getting them to drape/fall in a way that doesn’t look odd. The attach very low on the garment and that’s below my waist. Also, there’s just a TON of fabric. I’ve been thinking of putting in a pleat, or maybe a dart or something. Or, going with a more traditional sleeve (square rather than triangular).
Second, those stripes. They fell in all the wrong places and didn’t line up the way I wanted. The pleats in the shoulders were driven by the stripes. Upon further review, I should have reversed the fabric (green and purple toward the center, brown toward the shoulder) so that I could have highlighted those colors. Or, the stripes need to be smaller. Or I need to not worry about them. The garment absolutely NEEDS the pleats at the shoulder to give it shape – and somehow I need to figure out a better way to utilize them. That’s as much a fabric problem as a garment problem.
Third, honestly, I don’t like the colors. They all look a bit sallow now. I want somethign with a lot more life. I think if I’d gone for a pinstripe of while on the dark blue background I’d have been happier. And, with the emphasis on the brown rather than the purple and green, it just looks dull. I’m having a hard time seeing past the colors to embrace the construction. And, while I like the idea of what I did with the button band, I’m not sure that works either.
But – in the “success” category, the fabric behaved(s) like a champ! I mentioned in a comment yesterday that I had to take the seam ripper to it – and I did. A couple of times. In all cases, once the stitches were ripped back, the fabric absolutely healed itself and I challenge you to find where I had to make surgical corrections. It has a lovely drape and really did well in the machine. Note for next time – zig-zag every cut edge as soon as it’s cut. Makes for happiness later.
So, there you go. First one done. Already thinking about the second one. There’ll be a few more in cotton until my sewing and drafting skills get better, but regardless, this was a full and rewarding learning experience. What do you guys think?
