Thursday, December 15, 2011

B5566 Done — Let's ParTAY!

It may take a few minutes for this post to fully download cuz there's a TON of pics.

The skirt is done, and all layers now fit. Whew. I compared pattern pieces and they were fine, so I can only conclude that the lining fabric shrunk during pressing. This was sorta confirmed when I saw it puckering when I started to press the new seams. I quickly abandoned THAT idea. I'm no fool. Well, except for the no-prewash bit. ;-)


The fix was relatively easy. Unpicking black stitches on black fabric after dark was the hardest part. I just re-sewed with the most minimal of seam allowances and it worked.My zipper is a thing of beauty and I did NOT want to disturb it at all. The matching looks a little wonky in these hanger pics, but it really came out pretty good. Not perfect, since I totally forgot about matching that CB seam when cutting, but more than good enough. And my hem is one thousand percent better (and straighter) than the RTW inspiration skirt.


Here's that dastardly lining. It's really straight, not crooked like it looks here. Once again, I cheated, cut crosswise, and used the selvege for the hem. It's a lining — who cares.


Here you can see those puckers I mentioned. The good thing is that I will keep getting smaller, so they shouldn't be a problem going forward. Fingers crossed.


Now it's time to start the What Will I Wear To The Christmas Party Parade of Possibilities.

First up, a ruffle knit tee with gold flecks throughout. It's more sparkly than it appears here. Pros — it's comfortable, it's a size Medium (that shouldn't count but it does), and it won't be too hot. Cons — maybe just a little too casual. I'll probably keep this no matter what because I do like it and sparkly this season seems to be more silver than gold and I prefer gold. Maybe with jeans at Universal on Christmas Day with Alex??


Red shell with jeweled neckline, drapey-neck red cardi, sparkly belt. Pros — more Christmas-y but still office appropriate, looks good with the houndstooth. Cons —Not sure about the red on me, the belt is probably too much, will need to get back to Beall's tomorrow night to get the earrings I saw to go with this and somehow ended up not buying cuz I think they fell through my cart. 


With a wide black belt (and a Chili dog). Better I think.


Faux twinset that I found buried in a drawer. The underlayer is very sparkly but you can't see it very well here. Pros — Extremely comfortable, lightweight, and maybe better than red on me. Cons — it's too big so I'm going to have to do some serging of the sideams tomorrow night if I go with this, and will still need to get some earrings, and maybe a purse. Hey, if I'm going to wear something I already had, I deserve a new purse, right?


Extremely, incredibly sparkly velour faux twinset. I love this jacket, but it's not office appropriate at all. This one is definitely out, but I still love it. And this shade of red is better on me. I wish I had someplace to wear it, but since I don't, it will be returned. Oh, that uneven hem? Yes, it really is. So I'd have to fix this too, if I were keeping it.


Outfit from the closet of years past. It's a long black velour sheath dress with a gold/black cardi/jacket over top, another Walmart find if I remember correctly. It's too long to be office appropriate IMO, but I'm not ready to cut it off yet. So this one is pretty much a no-go.


Dress alone, with belt, and half-pale arms. I can see this being part of a cool go-out outfit, if I ever go out again. Haha. But I'm definitely not going sleeveless in the office.


NOT for the party, but this is my $29 faux leather jacket. With nuthin' underneath. Ooooo. lol


Or THIS could be a going out outfit. I'm also wearing the scarf I picked up with the party tops, but not to wear to the party. Now I need some black boots to complete the look, right?


I'm sure you will all weigh in with opinions. I'm looking forward to it. I'm leaning toward one pairing in particular — which one do you think I'll pick?

BTW —another agency, which hasn't contacted me in MONTHS, called me today about a job doing pretty much exactly what I'm doing now but for a global commercial real estate brokerage not a law firm. I told them I'm up for an interview if they can sell me. Can't have too many irons in the fire, right? And nice to know I'm not dead to them. ;-)

39 comments:

  1. Great skirt!

    I like the black sparkly shirt, possibly paired with either the red cardigan or the gold/black/cardi/jacket, the black belt, and the skirt you just finished. I'm leaning more toward the red cardigan though if it works out.

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  2. Wow. Where to start? Love the skirt, well done. A lesson there for all of us, I think, always pre-wash! I love all the outfits you trialled, but for the office party...my vote is the new skirt with the red cardi, but I don't like the red shell. Perhaps the sparkly ruffle neck tee underneath instead? And maybe the narrower sparkly belt? Yep, yep, definately. This is so much fun.

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  3. I actually like the gold sparkly tee with that skirt! That would be my favorite. Or the black cardigan/twinset -- it doesn't look too big to me, but it can be hard to tell with black in photos. Personally, I'd wear the faux leather jacket with that skirt because they look smashing together, but that would be a tough look to carry off indoors. Maybe over the sparkly tee? Hmm...

    I'm not a big fan of red with houndstooth -- normally, I like those colors together but I think it's too much with the pattern.

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  4. I love the skirt with the faux twin-set, plus that would get you a new purse:) You look really great in the last pic - so go get those black boots while you are buying the purse :)

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  5. I think you have enough outfits from that one skirt to party EVERY night between now and Christmas, and then some!!!
    My favourite - red shell with red drapey cardi + black belt - very Xmassy and party looking.
    Kick up your heels and enjoy the party...

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  6. I like the red top and cardi with the wide black belt

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  7. I love the detailing of that skirt! I particularly like it with that leather jacket. Hawt. :)

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  8. The lining on the bias is a clesver idea to allow it to move with you. Top skirt too.
    I would have a hard time chosing from the black sparkly top; the faux leather top; Red twin set with wide black belt. Have fun...

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  9. Your houndstooth skirt looks great. Of the outfits you showed, The one with the red shell & cardigan and thick black belt is my favorite.

    However, I'd love to see a photo of the velour sheath dress with the gold belt AND the red drapey cardigan. :)

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  10. Your skirt is so versatile. Looks terrific with all the top choices.

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  11. Fantastic skirt. My favorite is red with the belt. All of the outfits look wonderful, the skirt gives you many options.

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  12. I like the black sparkly shirt as well. However, you look wonderful in everything.

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  13. I love the red on you and I like the sparkly red top/jacket too... and the big black belt. Red looks great on you. The skirt looks great too, well done. Oh like the sleeveless dress with that nice belt too ... I don't get why some things (like a long skirt) isn't office appropriate?? Maybe it's a down under thing??

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  14. Great job! You mentioned the lining shrinking w/pressing ... you also said you cut it on the crosswise grain. That might account for some of the tightness -- the circumference of the lining is now on the very stable (no stretch) straight of grain and the vertical is the crosswise grain that normally provides just a little 'give."

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  15. Bright red top with the black belt, for sure! Looks very festive.

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  16. I love the red set with the belt-great holiday look! Great skirt! mssewcrazy

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  17. The red shell and cardi with the black belt look great. I also like all the looks with the faux leather jacket, especially the long dress--but you definitely need boots with that look.

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  18. I love the red shell with floaty cardi - anything which shows off the unusual bias cut skirt panels, otherwise it's "just a skirt" !
    ruthiebe, scotland

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  19. The skirt looks wonderful, I don't like any of the tops that are hiding the upper hip bias detail. I really like the leather jacket with it. Not really liking the red on you. Leather is in, maxis are in, what is not office appropriate?
    Lookin' great Deb and having fun with it.

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  20. I love this skirt! I especially love the multi-directional detail on the top.

    I think ALL these outfits look great. What a versatile piece.

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  21. I love the long black velour sheath dress with a gold and black cardi over top. I especially like it with the medallion belt. Aren't some of those Walmart finds just amazing? And I don't think it's too long for the office--maxi dresses are in. I think you're looking great in all the pics!

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  22. Fabulous all around! But I have to admit that the sparklies have always appealed to the Jamaica Plain girl in me. :)

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  23. Nice problem solving on the skirt... it looks great. And I agree with the comments that recommend not covering up the waist. My question: do you even need a belt with the skirt? I'm thinking that the waist detail on the skirt IS the feature element, and perhaps no belt would be good. And I like it with the red cardi. But with a different shell underneath? So many options, and really all are good... just some are better.

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  24. Good luck deciding, you've got great options.
    Love that skirt. Think I need one.

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  25. Great skirt! Your "going out outfit" is scorching hot! Honestly, I think if you just added a red or black silky or lacy cami under the leather jacket, you'd be all set.

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  26. Great skirt! Love the red tank, red cardi and wide black belt.

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  27. Love the skirt. My favorite choice is the red tank, cardi and wide black belt.

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  28. Great skirt! Love the red tank, red cardi and wide black belt.

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  29. You are totally rocking all your looks, and your skinny chick is showing her self! YAY!

    Have fun at Universal!

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  30. Personally I like the first outfit. Now it will be interesting to see what you pick. :)

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  31. What a lovely skirt, you really should throw a party for it.

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  32. I vote for the red top, black belt and chili dog...
    The skirt is very chic...and sleek!

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  33. Opps I'm late comment-wise, LOVE the last look and yes a pair of kicky boots or better yet a pair of John Fluevogs.

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  34. That skirt is just GORGEOUS and it will go the distance!!! I love how many outfit options it provides.

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  35. LOVE this skirt in the directional houndstooth. What a great look. I have had lining split on me, too--and I always pre-wash. It just has no give whatsoever.

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  36. I've been a little out of the sewing loop lately. Sewing mojo broken again. So, I stopped in for some inspiration. Well, I just love this black & white houndstooth skirt,especially with the red. You look absolutely gorgeous! OK, I'm inspired...going straight to my sewing room when I get home tonight and pull out some black & white fabric! Just want I needed BTW- HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

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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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