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Friday, November 5, 2010

Stick a fork in me...

as in "I'm done" not as in finished. I'm wondering how such a simple pattern (McCalls 6122) could kick the livin' crap out of me. The first time I made it, it only took about four hours.


This time it took me about two weeks to finish. Don't get me wrong I love the finished blouse--the fabric print and the style--it's the getting there that beat me up.

I refuse to have UFO's layimg around so I could not move on to another project until it was done. It should have been a breeze; I don't know what went wrong. From  the onset it wasn't good. I didn't have quite enough fabric to make the belt so I opted to cut the tie as long as I could as two separate pieces and figured I could sew them into the side seam.


That worked out good except when I tied it, it caused the back to bunch up at the waist and create a pool of fabric that was not attractive at all. Unfortunately I don't have the before picture but here's the after.

Not perfect but a lot better than it was. I'm not sure what the correct alteration would be but here's a picture of how I fixed it.


Starting a short ways from the side seam, I sewed a crescent shape from side seam to side seam along the back waist seam. Then I remembered that the pink plaid version was a little tight across the upper back! Yikes! The homespun at least was loosely woven and had some give, this fabric has none. It might be kevlar--as in bullet-proof. I think it looks good but I feel like I'm in a straight-acket. If I so much as cross my arms I am going to "Incredible Hulk" out of it. You know the feeling and I can feel you all laughing at the thought!

Next I got the facing and collar attached and let me tell you...it ain't pretty. Once again I referred to the pink plaid and yep, there was some craziness going on there too. Why didn't I remember all of that? Was I so enarmored with the pink that I totally forgot?


Inside collar...don't ask! It won't be seen.


Too short facing was an easy fix.

As if all of that wasn't enough, I'm thanking my lucky stars I decided to make the concealed front button closure. I could not get three out of the four buttonholes to stitch out correctly. My buttonholer did not like that extra fold of fabric. I wound up having to pick the buttonholes out and do them over. That was a thankless job. It's not pretty but nobody can see it. Finally when I thought nothing else could go wrong, as I was getting ready to pose for photos I noticed this at the center front peplum.


Is that part of a shoe print?? WTH! The only consolation is that the tie will cover it. Even with all the headaches and complaining I think this blouse looks fantastic with these slacks. This is one of the few pair that I can still wear. If you look closely at the back view, you'll notice that the slacks are a little big. I  made them about 18 months ago out of the "Paper Tape Pattern" I drafted. I think my next project will be a pair of slacks from the same pattern with some minor adjustments and hopefully a better fit.


Notice the "hair"? My husband calls me "Curly Temple" whenever I wear it!

23 comments:

  1. You look great!! I was noticing even before you mentioned the pants. Love the print! I'm sorry the journey took a few detours but the end result is fab!!

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  2. Very cute and you look fantastic!!! Many of my projects hold some serious secrets on the inside, (lol) as long the outsides are looking the right way, I'm good!

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  3. I'm sorry it isn't fitting and gave you such a headache. It sure is adorable on you!!

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  4. It may have been frustrating to make but the finished top looks wonderful - I love that gorgeous spotted fabric. I did notice your hair and I love the style - it really suits you.

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  5. Your blouse looks great. Love that pattern. Your "hair" is cute too. It's fun to wear different looks.

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  6. You look amazing first of all. Second, your blouse is great! I love the pretty colorful fabric! I hate it when something that should be simple turns out to be so hard. Usually, it's because I make stupid mistakes, though! Love the hair. This is from someone with stick straight, thinning fine hair!!!

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  7. Oh, wow...that was a lot of acrobatics to get that to work. But in the end, a great blouse....and I LOVE the "curly temple!" I think I need to get some new hair. I'm bored with mine!

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  8. You persevered and it paid off! Love that top, the fabric - especially the fabric - I've seen it and couldn't vision how to use it! - you did it!,- the fit, how you styled it and love the curly hair too! Nice work!

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  9. Ok, I did laugh at your Incredible Hulk reference. I have a shirt I've made where I can't bend over and pick anything up without that feeling. Your top looks great!

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  10. Ms. Lady you look fantastic.. love the new hairdo and the top looks great on you despite all the drama.

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  11. Glad you kept with it and finised! It looks good on you and love the new hair style too!

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  12. Gorgeous blouse and soooo worth all the hard work! Beautiful print too!

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  13. Every now and then "Murphy's Law" have to stick it's head up, however; YOU came out a WINNER!!!

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  14. Oh gosh, I can relate to your sewing woe's on this one. Seems like I've been having all kinds of difficulties lately too. But I love your finished result. The blouse is fun and I love the curly hair!!!

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  15. I love the print and style on you! Glad you are still able to wear it. Love your hairstyle, too. I wish I could finish projects before I moved on... then my room wouldn't be such a mess! :)

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  16. What a fun blouse and I love your hair :)

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  17. Wow lady! Another great project! I love when you pair them up with the matching handbag! Beautiful!

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  18. Such a very attractive looking top! I know what you mean....there are some projects that take more time than you expected....but I see here that the results are worth your efforts!

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  19. Absolutely gorgeous! You're so pretty. It makes all the effort worth it!

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  20. Very nice top, sorry that it took so much trouble.

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  21. Love that top, it looks great on you, too! I need to get that pattern! I was going to make some "simple" aprons for Christmas gifts. Hah, no so simple. I hate it when that happens....

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