Every once in awhile a fellow blogger will tell me “I don’t blog about my plans or WIPs in case something goes wrong.” But I figure it like this… what good is a blog that only paints me as perfect? I’m certainly not, though I do try to learn from my mistakes! I know I like reading about what doesn’t work as well as what does!
It’s not the blouse I posted about yesterday, but the pants that go along with it – (from the April burda.) As it turns out, I don’t really like pants. Now I knew this… after all, I’m pretty sure I didn’t even own any pants in high school. At this point I wear pants as a sort of “last resort” item (not jeans though… I like dressy jeans.) And the instructions were frustrating, and I just thought “I am not enjoying this. I can buy pants.” And that was that. I’ll use the nice RPL and gabardine I have to make some basic black skirts – something my wardrobe is definitely lacking. I’m still making the blouse, but not next – I need a break to think about how I’m approaching things. So what am I doing instead?
I’m using a navy blue and white dot stretch poplin. I’m making a bodice muslin first, as vintage patterns are unpredictable. Here the pattern pieces are ready for tracing. The pattern is in excellent shape. I’m undecided on the ruffle vs no ruffle issue… my husband had a violent sort of “no ruffle” reaction, and I’m thinking he may be right… it will be more versatile without, but then again I do love a ruffle…)
I love the details included in these old patterns. In particular, I love the seam lines being drawn in. I know that with multi-size patterns it just wouldn’t work, but it makes seam matching really easy (I’m really bad to match up the cut edge and not wherever the seams are going to be.)
And the notches are numbered… very helpful. Um… I don’t think they still are, right? I have to admit, I am a lazy notcher. I only bother to mark them if they’re necessary – say around a place of easing or gathering. Most patterns have too many, and I don’t use them anyway.
The bodice is done except for the straps. It’s hard to tell yet, but I think it fits. I will probably shape the waist a bit more – my fabric is stretchy, so I don’t need much ease. There is a totally reasonable (for this style) 3 inches of ease in the bust. 70s era patterns fit me really well. Would you believe this is the first time I have sewn princess seams? Somehow it hasn’t come up!
I’m also continuing to document my outfits for myself. It’s really helping me! Now I just need to sew faster, so I never feel like I have to wear any of the ill-fitting pairs of pants that I own. I had a hard time figuring out what to wear with this tulip skirt, but I like this blue tank. It’s better without the sweater, but I get cold when I teach (and today is a marathon day for me, with rehearsal til 10 tonight!)
Tonight, after I get home I want to finish my bodice muslin – I am really excited to make this dress (and please, tell me… ruffle or no ruffle? I just can’t decide!)
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
that’s a lovely sundress pattern – I really like the back buttons! I’d probably make a ruffle anyway then tack it on and see how it looked. That’s a very cute skirt!
I love vintage patterns, too. In fact I have that one, but I haven’t sewn it yet. I say ruffle his feathers, girl, the boyfriends always want it conservative but I say go for it.
I have this pattern too and I love it! I made a couple of dresses from it last summer, both with the ruffle. I started out making one without the ruffle, but it just looked too plain. Always go for the ruffle!
I personally think the dress is more versatile without the ruffle, but I also think a person either is, or is not a ruffle kind of a gal, and only you can answer that one!
As in life, so in blogs: never trust the perfect. It just can’t be true! Everyone becomes more likeable when they admit to their imperfections and failings. Hurrah for you! Admitting that you just didn’t want to make those pants. Life’s too short.
I feel the same way about notches…only used when necessary.
About the ruffle…look at it this way, if you add it and don’t like it, you can remove it. Easy-peasy. The summer dress is perfect for summer. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. 🙂
What pattern is your tulip skirt from? It’s adorable!
I’m excited you are making the dress next. I bought the Collette Parfait dress a while back but haven’t made it yet. I second the unpopular, no ruffle vote!
Cute blue outfit, by the by.
I just posted my mistake on my blog today! Mistakes are the best learning tool.
My initial thought was the dress could be a bit plain without the ruffle, but then it depends on the fabric too. I would cut the ruffle and gather it up and pin it on, then decide. It’s not too far out as far as ruffles go!
OMG, I have sewn from vintage patterns and noticed all those details, like numbers in the seam allowance, but never stopped to figure out why! Just moved on ahead as quickly as possible. Very cool to know that. I think I have that very pattern, BTW, sent by a friend last summer.
I feel your pain. I have maybe one or two pairs of dress pants but no casual pants, and live mostly in skirts, esp. this time of year. As painful as pants shopping is, I think it is easier to buy them.
As to the ruffle, as much as I think they are pretty, I might leave it off this dress. Is there some sort of trim you could add at the hem instead?
I feel the same way about pants – and about the freedom to change my mind whenever I feel it’s appropriate! “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds” is a quote I like. Sometimes it can be hard to tell what I really want to do vs. what I feel I “should” do or someone else told me I should do. Every day I try to know my own mind and live the way I want to that particular day.
Anyway, after all of that – I like the dress! It’s going to be a winner!
I’m glad you decided ‘yes’ to the ruffle! (I read the post about the dress first :))
And I live in skirts and dresses too, pants are not as comfortable, and never quite fit right.
I’m starting to live in skirts and dresses b/c I can’t find any pants to replace the 20+ pairs that are now waaaay too big. Ah well, at least I actually like wearing skirts and dresses. 🙂
Maybe a cropped cardigan would work with the skirt above? Might balance out the shape a bit better and still give you something on your arms to keep warm.