Friday 11 May 2012

Let Purple Reign!

I finished the first item on my winter wish list this afternoon and I couldn't be more pleased with myself.

Hollywood 1632

While on my little shopping spree at Easter I picked up a funky, purple and grey plaid with this adorable 1930s pinafore in mind and have been dying to cut it ever since. In fact, I was so excited to get started that I sat the sewing machine for roughly six hours straight and knocked the pinafore over in one evening. It was a super marathon effort which left my back aching so much I was unable to sew for a couple of weeks. But, thanks to my wonderful osteopath, I've been back at it and have made an outfit!




Originally, I'd only planned to make the pinafore, I've plenty of things to wear with it, but the blouse looked so simple I figured, why not? You'd think I would have learnt by now not everything is as it seems, nothing's ever simple. Well, that's not entirely true. The blouse was simple; there's no real fastening to speak of, it just slips on and the sleeves are only gathered at the top so fitting them was a breeze. The problem arose when I need to insert the elastic for the puffed sleeves.




I misread the instructions (quelle surprise!); the casing for the elastic is supposed to made by folding the bottom of the sleeve up roughly 3" and sewing two lines to create a pocket to thread the elastic. I tried to make it work, but I'd altered the size of the sleeves - they were going to be a little too puffy for my liking - and the hemline was too crooked to sit flat. My solution: sew a piece of bias binding to the inside of the sleeve for an instant casing, and loosely stitch the sleeve hem to the bottom of the binding. It's not the most elegant finish I've ever done but it worked. 



There is supposed to be a belt with the pinafore; I have made it but I'm looking for the perfect buckle to complete the look. I also need to tighten the elastic in the sleeves of the blouse, they're a bit floppy - sigh, after all that work - and I need to sew a small button and loop closure at the neck of the blouse. Just a couple of tweaks and it's done. Yay!!




Mdblm says my new outfit looks a bit 'school uniform-y', but you know what? If this was my uniform when I was at school, I'd have been more than happy to wear it everyday.




Happy Friday everyone!

- Tamara

13 comments:

  1. It is so cute and becoming. Love the colors, too!

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  2. Love it! The pinafore is a very versatile garment. I have one in denim and one in black twill and they are my most worn garments. I hope you make some more!

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    1. Hmmm, I'd never considered having more than one.

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  3. Oh my goodness, do you look fantastic! Really, really beautiful, covetable (!) purple and plaid outfit. I'm smitten and suddenly realize I need a purple blouse in my wardrobe, too! :)

    Thank you very much for your lovely blog comment today, dear gal. It's interesting that you're having a hard time finding dark forest green as you head into winter. Here that tends to be a popular colour in the colder months. If there's a particular piece in that hue you're looking for, feel free to let me know. I'm forever hunting for something or another online and would be happy to let you know if I spy a green garment that might be what you're on the hunt for.


    Wishing you an absolutely awesome Friday!
    ♥ Jessica

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the offer Jessica, I'll keep you posted on my quest for the perfect green.

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  4. Lovely outfit! The diagonal plaid is fantastic

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    1. I know, can you believe it was printed on the cross! I didn't even attempt to match the pattern, I just made sure they were all going in the same direction. It's just a happy accident that it looks as though it does.

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  5. The whole jumper (pinafore dress) over a top was my school uniform and gee I wish the colors were this good. I think once you add some accessories and glitz (gold belt? bangles?) it won't look like a uniform anymore. Very nice fabric choice. I bet you could do it in a lightweight fabric, a bit shorter, for a snazzy summer sundress :)

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  6. ~ * ♥ * ~

    Ack! Tamara, I seriously LOVE that pattern!! Where did you find it? It's simply gorgeous! *is a little green with envy*

    I adore the purple plaid and matching blouse as well, it looks absolutely delightful. You did a fantastic job, and I think your outfit looks great.

    xox,
    bonita of Depict This!
    ~ * ♥ * ~

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    1. The pattern was an ebay find from a couple of years ago, back when patterns were a bit more plentiful.

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  7. Wow, this looks fab! I love the plaid that you used, as purple is one of my very favorite colors.

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  8. Thats such a cool outfit :-) I love the pattern! I think all pinafores can make people think you're wearing school uniform - but who cares ;-P

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  9. This is fabulous - I love the bias plaid. I disagree with is looking like a school uniform, the purple changes that and besides school uniforms are never funky! Great job!

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