Sunday, September 11, 2011

Simplicity 2452: Done

The jacket is done. It's just OK. It's not better than RTW, but I guess it's about equal. I'm sure time in the Magic Wardrobe will help too.

I made a second muslin and decided the jacket needed a horizontal tuck, as shown below. This really screwed up the bust curve in the front side panel and I pretty much just winged it. I ended up winging it too much and it's a little tight in the bust or armhole or something. It's not horrible, but not as good as I could have done. 


The fabric is also a contributing factor to my non-love for this jacket. I love the color and how it feels, but it's polyester and so the seams are pucker-city and the hems are very obvious. It will be fine when I'm wearing it and in motion, but I think it looks terrible and boxy on Zillie compared to on me. At least I hope so. But I'm not camera-ready so it's Zillie you get.


I was going to use the pleated lower back piece, but once I had it cut out and was working the pleats, it was very clear that it would be an ugly puffy thing in this polyester. So I used the non-pleated piece instead. Much better.


I'm not giving up on the pattern, though, because I do really like the style. I just need to improve the fit. And once the actual sewing starts on it, it goes together really fast. It's not lined and with this view there is no collar to attach/finish. I think I will be on the lookout for some tropical weight wool to try it again.

Moving on … I've already muslined this skirt pattern and have it cut out from the same fabric as the jacket. I expect I'll finish it in the next hour or so. Alterations were very minimal. I added width and then removed most of it. I added length. That's it.


If I finish the skirt and still have energy, I may do a few mirror shots and post them later. I'm not wearing either piece tomorrow, but I'm sure they will make an appearance later in the week since I don't have a lot of office-wear choices right now. I think I'll be sewing every night after I get home. I hope I'm not too exhausted, because I NEED clothes.

It's hard to believe I'll be in the work grind tomorrow. I haven't actually gone to work in someone else's office on a daily basis in over 22 years. Yikes. I hope I don't forget my lunch. lol 

22 comments:

  1. What a great basic with a print dress!

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  2. Good Luck tomorrow. I also have worked from home for the last 11+ years so I would be out of practice going back to an office setting too. No doubt that you'll fit right in and have a great week!

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  3. Hope you have a great first day!

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  4. Hope your first day at work goes well. I am sure you will wear something appropriate and flattering, as always.

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  5. Can't wait to see your suit all made up and on you! Good luck tomorrow! Be nice and try not to call anyone names! :D

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  6. Congratulations on the job, Debbie -- that's a huge achievement these days. Good luck tomorrow!

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  7. Best wishes on your first day back in "the office". You've sure weathered many life changes in the past months and I know you'll have a successful re-entry to the workplace.

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  8. I think the jacket looks great, good luck tomorrow.

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  9. good luck, Debbie, your jacket looks great. Enjoy your day.

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  10. Yay, you got it done! Given how bad most RTW looks these days, I'm sure you'll be the sartorial star of the office.

    I have that skirt pattern! Been contemplating the shorter version for fall....I'm a little intimidated by the tulip shape because I have square knees, and anything that curves around and ends in that area tends to be like a big fat arrow, "Look, massive kneecaps!" I'll be eager to see how it looks on you.

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  11. see - it's almost a suit with half a day left! I think the jacket looks great. make sure you have lunch money - just in case. g

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  12. Leave yourself a note, a post-it, anything, on your purse, it says LUNCH in big letters. Leave another one on the dashboard of your car. You don't want to waste precious earnings (for fabric) on a bought lunch!

    Kidding aside, have a great first week at your new job. You are looking really terrific in the last few months - now's your payoff!

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  13. I hope the first day at your new job goes well (all I know is every first day at any job I've held was always exhausting!). Hans starts his new job on Tuesday and for the first time in a few years he will have to be in a office all day.

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  14. You will be fine! And imagine how good you are going to feel when that first paycheck hits your bank account.

    If I may make a suggestion on the work wardrobe, pick a few pieces that are easy to sew basics and build on them with RTW pieces while you take your time making quality pieces for your wardrobe.

    I'll be thinking of you tomorrow!

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  15. Have a fantastic first day tomorrow! Hope you love your new job. Any chance it's near a fabric store? ;)

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  16. Warm, good luck thoughts pointed in your direction for tomorrow, Debbie. If it were me, I would probably fall face first accross the bed the minute I got home tomorrow, but you have way more energy than several people put together. I really like that jacket, and I'm sure your next version in a more "natural" fiber will be a joy to sew. We'll be waiting right here to hear how it went :-)

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  17. I've noticed you've been picking more fashion forward patterns lately..... you go girl! It seems that you are really embracing life, and I'm so happy for you.

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  18. Congrats on the job!!!
    I've got you beat: Haven't "gone to work in someone else's office on a daily basis" in almost 26 years!! I'd love to get back into it myself, but my skills are WAY out of date!!!
    You are looking awesome!!! I'm SO excited for you!!! Good Luck with the job (I KNOW, I'm little behind the times here, but better late than never, right?)
    I have that skirt pattern as well (although I wasn't planning on making that veiw, but now I'm thinking . . . . .)
    Found out what "planking" is BTW. I had assumed it was military related - Kim Komando, and my kids set me straight.
    Designdreamer

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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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