I bought this pattern from Decades of Style at Costume College along with a pattern for 'lounging pajamas'. I will make the wide legged pants out of black linen. Soon. First I wanted to tackle the top. When I looked at the finished measurements I wasn't sure if, or how, I would add to the bust. I emailed the question and what I suspected was the best solution for me. I got back an answer quickly. Which is awesome. The pattern has shoulder darts and front tucks for shaping. I didn't want to add in those spots because it would create additional volume that I don't need, so I added side darts. Because who doesn't want MORE DARTS! And I did it on a pattern that doesn't have an armscye. Because I like to torture myself. I made a quick muslin, though, and it fit decently.
The appeal of this pattern is the crazy collar with embroidery. I made the blouse with an ivory and black print in cotton sheeting. I was perplexed about how the embroidery would look with the print and what colors I would use. I did a row with black and a row with dark red. I thought about alternating them. Then I did a couple more rows. Then someone said 'why did you do all that? It looked better before'. Usually I can ignore those kind of comments, but this time it resonated with my own worries. I slept on it. And when I woke up in the morning, I pulled it all out and replaced it with a single row of soutache. Much better. Downside; even with careful measuring, the soutache didn't line up perfectly when I attached the collar. I opted to match the top collar since it's the most obvious visual point. And I officially loathe invisible side zippers, even though they look good.
Now I want to make the pants. I know I will love them because I love wide legged pants. However my yardage is based on the pattern recommendation and I have since discovered that I need to add 5 or 6 inches to the length. Yikes. That's probably 1/4 yard in the layout. So I'm not looking at it for a week or so. Maybe if the fabric sits around and watches TV for a while it will get fat.
(see, you can hardly tell it doesn't meet)
There is no final picture of me wearing it with pride. I had to wash it to get the needle holes from the embroidery out. Now I have to iron it. Please do not hold your breath.
