Sunday, September 11, 2011

Simplicity 2451 and 2452 Pics

Well, I won't be wearing either piece this week. Looks like I have some shopping in my future. ;-) (Carolyn, I was already planning to hit Stein Mart tomorrow after work.)

I'm still not camera-ready so you get to see me with day-old hair and no make-up. Ugh.


The skirt is fine, but it's 5 lbs too tight. Or I am. ;-) I expect it will fit in a couple of weeks since I'm still losing about 2-3 lbs per week. I haven't hemmed it yet because I think I'm going to need a facing or it will be too short for my preferences. And that's after adding 3 inches to the length. I just ran out of mojo tonight to deal with a hem facing.

While the pockets are pulling in the front, the tightness is more evident to me in the back. I could actually live with the pockets, but the waist in the back is scrunching.


The pattern has a couple of oddities. I'm going to try to write a real review next weekend, but we'll see how that goes.

First, the waist yokes have *got* to be sized wrong. I added width to both the front and back of the skirt, and added corresponding width to the yokes. But I had to remove ALL the additions to the yokes, right back to the original pattern, for them to fit onto the skirt sections as the instruction show. How can that be? Sumthin' ain't right.

Next, the pockets are way too narrow. I suppose it's probably good so I don't jam my hands into them, but I *want* to jam my hands into them. The pockets were one of the main reasons I chose this skirt, since the jacket doesn't have any. Also, if you understitch the pocket where it attaches to the skirt as instructed, and I did, then the pocket bag piece doesn't line up. In other words, there is no allowance for turn of cloth or slightly pressing the joining seam to the back.

Finally, lapped zipper. Ugh. And hand-stitching the waist facing to the zipper and the yoke. Eff that. I changed the zip to an invisible, except the best color I had was black so it could probably be a little more invisible. I also overlocked the raw edge of the facing and stitched in the ditch from the front to catch and hold it down, and I machine-stitched the facing around the zipper (RS together) and turned it so it was all clean-finished and the hand-stitching was eliminated. Cuz you know how I feel about hand-stitching.


All in all, the zipper turned out fine. I also don't like hook/eyes, so they aren't there. Next time, I'll move the zip up more. But I will NEVER see this so I don't really care. ;-)

Here's the whole suit. I promise the bottom edges of the jacket are really even. I'm just standing with one hip out and one shoulder up.


Now I need to go make some chicken salad for my lunch, fold some laundry, and head to bed. Thanks for all your good wishes! I'm sure I'll be fine. Tomorrow will probably just be a lot of orientation and forgetting everyone's name.

22 comments:

  1. Well, if you wanted to wear it this week, you certainly could. That looks *really* nice. But I understand tight things, and dislike that feeling myself. I can actually make my back pain flare up with waistbands that are too tight.

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  2. I know the fit isn't quite what you want, but wow, that's a great color on you!

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  3. I agree with Shams and meredithp--you could wear this and the color is great! I hate tight clothes, so I get your discomfort, but you look GOOD.

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  4. Debbie, I am sure you will look a whole lot better dressed and fitted than the rest of the office. This suit looks lovely on you. I wish I had your mojo for weight loss. Good luck in your new job!!

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  5. Okay I'm liking this color combo on you too...so in a couple of weeks this will be a great new suit to wear to work.

    Now do you see why I make so many dresses - when it's done - it's complete and I'm finished and professional looking...I'm just saying! ;)

    I like Stein Mart too but I don't find much clothing in mine to buy...end up with more housewares...hope you do better in yours!

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  6. Looking good - love that it's the skirt that's '5lbs to tight' LOL!
    YAY for you - still propping weight like a baby drops pooh! Good for you! (I'm a little bit jealeous though - oh well I'm off to the gym in 30 min). On the picture where we see your back I can really tell that you've lost weight! Be POUD!!!!
    The suit looks beautiful and it's a wonderful neutral colour for you! You really have an eye for stuff like that.

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  7. You could definitely wear this as is. The slight wrinkling in the back is much less than what you'd get in normal RTW :-). All you'd need to do is crank out a hem facing, although I agree that sounds too tedious for a named-out person (how I sympathize with that phase..).
    These colors look great on you, and will work wonderfully with the earlier cream suit. You're doing really well with the wardrobe planning. And as long as you take cell phone pictures, you really shouldn't apologize for hair or makeup, we couldn't tell anything about them anyway.

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  8. Yeah! You did it - see, you are Super Debbie! It looks great - other than the personal discomfort it looks ready to go now.
    Have a great day at work!
    Blessings,
    Patti

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  9. Quit dissing yourself for day-old hair (we don't know the difference) and no make-up (we like the real you, too). BUT - GOING TO WORK - YAY!!!

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  10. This looks great, the suit is so stylish and chic. Great job and good luck at work.

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  11. Wow, I'm away from reading blogs for a week and you've had numerous adventures. So glad that Tyler is ok and that you got the job. You're looking god in this new outfit and great color. Cheers to a new beginnings!

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  12. You got the job. I missed where you wrote about that but... congrats. Hope all goes well.

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  13. Happy job vibes, hope you love it, hope they love you.
    It's great having a sewing mandate - work clothes - not so great not knowing what size you will be.

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  14. The suit looks great! I've made that skirt, but in a print...I really like the solid. I'll have to give it a try. Good luck today on the new job!!!

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  15. What a great color for a suit--you'll get a lot of wear out of this!

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  16. What a classy suit. Only you can tell if it's comfortable enough to be forgotten while you begin your new job, but it certainly looks good. And your waistline--you really are an inspiration. I can see you mixing things up with a dark fall print skirt or with coordinating slacks if your new workplace permits. Well done and the very best of luck!

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  17. Hope you're having a great first day. Your skirt will be great in a couple more weeks; I love the color on you.

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  18. You're looking so fantastic Debbie! I haven't commented in ages, but I do follow along. I hope your first day of work went splendid. Before long your skirt will be too big at the rate you're going. :)

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  19. I imagine you're pretty well exhausted by now - but I hope your first day went well.

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  20. I think it looks great - as long as it's comfortable to sit, you could totally wear it now.

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  21. Debbie, you've made an amazing transformation and you will soon be in this with the fit just as you like it.
    Looks good now,though.
    Helen

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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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