Vogue 9260

A quick tip:  If a color doesn't particularly agree with you, just put on more lipstick.  A personal tenet, which has gotten me through some yellow, orange, and lime green days.

I wasn't sure if this particular shade of mustardy orange would look good with my new blond 'do, but I actually really like it!  I've made up Vogue 9260, a pattern for either jumpsuit or romper, the only variations being the length of the trousers.  The fabric is a lightweight rayon crepon from Denverfabrics, and even though it wrinkles immediately, I would happily sew with it again in a heartbeat.  I love the lightness, the breeziness of the stuff.  We get sticky, humid 100 degree days here in New Jersey, and sometimes you need something with 8 inches of ease and lots of holes for air circulation.

Here's a slightly awkward side view.  It's the only one I have because my photographer is not exactly a professional.  Or eager.  Or willing.

 Speaking of holes, I have fallen in love with grommets.  They're so easy to put in, and they look so professional--people say "really? You made that?"  and if I can detect just a hint of suspicion that I'm lying, my day is made.

In hindsight, when I added an inch in length, I should have added it to the shorts as opposed to the bodice.  Sometimes the elastic dips under my belt, which I wear at my natural waist.  I also should have used a less flopsy interfacing on the front neckline.  I used a lightweight cotton poplin as a sew-in interfacing because I didn't want it to be too stiff.  Looking at the photos, however, I think I could forgive a little stiffness.  *wink*  (eww gross)

I'm a pretty big fan of Vogue 9260, and I can tell because in the week since I completed it, I've already worn it 3 times!

Vogue 9046 - The Beginning

I never muslin things.

There.  I said it.  It's true.  I usually have very little trouble fitting patterns, so I measure them, cut extra wide-seams in the shoulder area, then get started.  This very very rarely fails me, and when it does, the problem is usually a little less room than I'd like in the bust area.

Not so with Vogue 9046, the Claire Shaeffer dress with a million tucks.

The inside of the tucks.  By number 17, I was starting to crack.

The outside, which hasn't been properly pressed in this picture.  Seriously, so many tucks.  Do you know how long it took to mark them all?  Neither do I.  Time ceased to hold meaning for me.  I'm pretty sure, for a brief moment, I forgot the taste of bread.

These tucks turned out beautifully, though.  All 38 of them.  I was happy, and excited to sew my sleeves in, and thought they looked perfectly normal.

Until I tried the damn thing on.

Disregard the filthy mirror (It's a dusty basement mirror) and focus on where the armhole sits.  That's like halfway toward the front of my boob!  And at least four inches below my armpit proper.  Unacceptable, but not something with which I usually have to contend.  Vogue 9046 has just issued a challenge, it seems

There are other fit problems, including the waist being too big, which I expected, and also the tucks in the front being too short, giving me an unfortunate potbelly.  These are easily fixed by adding tucks to the center back and extending the front tucks a few inches.

No idea what I'm going to do about those sleeves, though.  I'm thinking sleeveless, but then I'd have to do something about the ludicrously enormous armholes.  Hmm...