Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Open Mouth/Wallet, Insert Foot

So, the mystery of what fabric actually is the EOS fabric is solved. It's what I thought all along — the brown jacket fabric. Which means, yes, the Joann's fabric I bought yesterday is NOT an exact match. The color is off. I guess I should've checked that before getting excited last night and sharing the "news." Sigh.

So, now what do I do?? Go back and buy enough to make a jacket that will match the intended skirt (but which I won't sew for a while) and have two brown jackets? Or just sew the skirt and again forget about a suit for a while? Or go back and buy enough for another jacket *and* pants, to have three coordinating pieces? (Carolyn, you don't get a vote! :grin:)

So, onto less brain taxing stuff. The RTW jackets (sets, actually) that I just bought. I'm almost embarrassed to say where I bought them, but what the heck. Sears!! Yes, Sears. I never shop for clothes at Sears but I dashed in there to buy vacuum bags and on the way to appliances, walked right past these two jackets which were out on the aisle. I loved the colors and when I looked at the price tags, I *really* loved the colors. LOL! They were marked down to $30 each. I tried them on right there and then, and they fit! And they're washable. And they go with things I already have. So, I'm over the Sears factor.

Number 1, a green jacket with coordinating lined skirt. I love the green and I love the print too. My colors. (I see you nodding your head, Belinda.) The skirt is elastic-waisted, but it's already cut with a tilted waist. How great is that? I'm half-tempted to cut out the lining — which matches the jacket exactly — to make a cami and just wear the skirt with a slip. I won't. But I'm tempted.



The jacket can also be worn with these paisley pieces. As usual lately, the colors in my pics are not true, so trust me on this.



I would like to change out the buttons, though. They are black and I think they are wrong for this jacket and the combos. I'd like to find some that are greenish or at least not black. The only other thing I could find wrong with the jacket is the huge thread hanging out from under the collar.



Number 2 is this jacket/lined dress combination. I'm not thrilled with the dress, but the jacket is worth tossing the dress for. These buttons are brown, and will be staying. The dress is OK, but the print doesn't feel like "me," if you know what I mean. Maybe I'd like it better as a skirt. The darker color in the print is brown, and the whole outfit is more coral than how pink it looks here. The other problem with the dress is that it's sleeveless and the princess-seamed bust and armhole hangs down too low. I could probably just take it up at the shoulder seams, if I decide to keep it as a dress I'd wear.



The jacket also matches this skirt perfectly, and the dark in this skirt print is also brown. Gah! I wish my camera and lighting would cooperate this week. But it's been cloudy outside and that makes the light in my sewing room wonky when color-matching.



Love the pockets! Mostly because they are actually (lined!) pockets, but also for the cute embellishment. Just a bias tube of jacket fabric threaded through a little ring which matches the buttons.



The loops hang free between pocket attachment stitching and a few stitches to hold the ring in place.



I really need to snoop shop with my camera and a firm resolve to not buy anything. I see lots of easy details like this in RTW that I always forget about later.

Switching gears again … On the cutting table is a fast top from Simplicity 3506:



I adjusted it this morning and have cut the fabrics. Plural. I'm making a lined knit shell. It will either be a wearable muslin or a wadder.



I have a few more days to keep working on the wardrobe. Interviews have been scheduled for next week. Gulp. (And I do have pantyhose now.)

21 comments:

  1. Ohhhhh! That pink jacket is really great - would you mind letting me know what pattern you used? I think you and I are built very similarly, and for that jacket to flatter your dummy so much, it must look fabulous on you! I haven't gotten up the nerve to tackle a jacket, yet, but I think you've inspired me to make an attempt!

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  2. Rachelle, I bought the jacket. Sorry!

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  3. I'd say, cut the pink dress into a skirt. It'll be more versatile, and you seem to prefer skirts anyway. I'm not sure I'd make another brown jacket, but, maybe when you're bored, and have nothing better to do (ha ha). Nice jackets, and the skirt and dress/potential skirt are a plus!

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  4. What great bargains. For that price you HAD to BUY them!! The colours look pretty good on my monitor - they all match nicely.

    I like the dress as a dress (for something different). Can you wear a plain T under it? Maybe too hot for Florida? Layers are all the go in RTW!

    Now to the fabric - do you need to buy some more? Only if you really like the fabric. If you want to do a suit you could go a different colour in a fabric that you like better as you have the browns already. The new brown for the skirt would look good with both new jackets - so it is not a waste.

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  5. I only have one comment - Good luck on the interviews!!!!

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  6. Those are great outfits, and they match perfectly with items that you have already made - you were meant to have them. I like the print on the pink dress, you should definitely use it, maybe convert it to a skirt if you'll be happier. Good luck with the interviews!

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  7. Hi Debbie - Just found your blog and love it!

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  8. Hi Debbie - I just found your blog and I love it! It gives me lots of encouragement as I am just getting back into sewing after a 10-year break.

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  9. Debbie - Where did you get the tailor's dummy from? Is it custom-made? I need to get one and that looks a good one.

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  10. Good luck with the interviews and the pantyhose, it's going to be 90 degrees!

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  11. I am definitely going for a road trip to Sears when the company leaves next Monday and I get a spurt of energy. When one gets something in rtw that even approaches fitting,looks great, and the price is right it is win win.
    I hope you get a fabulous job from the interviews. We are all keeping our fingers crossed for you. Here's hoping it is an easy no stress job and you can still teach us a thing or two every now and then. mssewcrazy

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  12. About the brown fabric,I would say make the one piece and wait for a different shade of brown or whatever for the 3 piece suit and use a coupon to get it. It would be bad to grab the wrong pieces one morning in a hurry and look like you faded something in the wash. Don't laugh it happens. mssewcrazy

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  13. All great combinations; I would forego making a brown skirt for the jacket, but would turn the "pink" dress into a skirt. I like the print and it does go so well with the jacket. Good luck over the forthcoming interviews; make sure they give you oodles of time off to keep blogging!!! OllieV

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  14. Let's see if I remember everything....

    I vote to just buy more fabric. That's my answer to all of life's problems too. ;o)

    As far as purchasing jackets from Sears...I think they are trying to upgrade clothing lines. Although I haven't been in Sears in quite some time. Both jackets are really nice and I like them with your skirts. If you don't love the dress, then donate or I do like the idea of turning it into a skirt. Some prints/colors I can tolerate better once they are away from my face, even if they aren't quite "me".

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  15. Good luck on the interviews. Love the jackets; they're perfect with your current wardrobe. The dress doesn't say YOU--maybe a skirt?

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  16. I happen to like Sears a lot for clothes! Their Apostrophe line is classic/chic and the quality is quite good. I have a black blazer I wear at least twice a week that I bought there about 7 years ago. The color has not faded and it stills as crisp and sharp as when I bought it. The only problem I have with their petite sizes is that they usually put elastic in the waist of their petite pants. I hate that! But, once in a while I find a nice suit or separates and end up wearing them for years. I also like that their petite pant length is a little longer than usual, so they are perfect for me.

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  17. I say "Score!" with the jackets. It doesn't matter where you buy them if you like them and if they fit. They look great!

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  18. Wow, those are some great peices! Like you, I always turned my nose up to Sears' clothing. Maybe I should give it another thought. I haven't looked at clothing in Sears for years, but maybe I will now. Thanks!

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  19. Oh my! That'll teach me to gape at the pictures and not re-read the text! Humble apologies, and promises to read more carefully in the future! :)

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  20. Just stopping by to say how much I love those jackets with the print skirts/dress. They all look great!

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  21. You could turn the pink dress into a top -- well, take it all apart and use the fabric for a top.

    I think the fabric is attractive, but if you don't much like it, will you like it as a skirt?.

    A top would look nice with a brown skirt or beige or any of the colors.

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Thank you for each and every comment. I appreciate them all, but I have to be honest and let you know that I'm usually bad about answering questions. I hope you understand that there just isn't enough time in the day to do everything I want to do.

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