Greetings pygmy goats! I think I’m a day late, but I decided to play along with last week’s Sew Weekly challenge “Kidding Around” and make an outfit based on a childhood photo of me. I posted the inspiration photo a few days ago, but here it is again with my ‘now’ photo – 1980 versus 2011. Sigh… nothing like typing that to make you feel your age, right my hoppy small goat friends?
I think it’s pretty funny that it’s my ‘now’ photo that’s sporting the rick rack, don’t you?
I noticed the sew weekly challenges mentioned a few times recently, and for whatever reason the apron challenge from a week or two ago really caught my eye and I wanted to play along! THEN when the Kidding Around challenge came up, I couldn’t resist! I clearly remember getting the ‘then’ picture taken. It was in a park by my grandma’s house and she made the outfit AND the sweater. Even though it’s hard to see in the photo, the fabric was a stiff polyester – VERY 70’s! Let’s go inside, shall we? It’s freezing out here…
I wandered around Joann’s looking for some likely dark blue fabric and came home with two yards of a linen/rayon blend for the shorts. For the shirt I found two yards of a terrible floppy, thin, slippery, manmade jersey – also dark blue, with a half yard of white for my ruffle.
I used Butterick 4685 for the shirt. I had chosen the nasty slippery navy jersey so it would have some nice drape. Butterick 4685 lists woven and knits as appropriate fabrics, so I soldiered on. I cut a size 20 and it fit fine, although I’m not sure I’d like the fit as much with a woven.
I included the wide gathered band at the bottom of the shirt as a nod to the tummy-baring charm of the inspiration photo. Without baring my tummy, of course! I considered using elasticized thread to try out my shirring mojo. Turns out, mojo was unaware it was supposed to turn up at my house today! I couldn’t get the tension adjusted well, although it seemed that the steaming helped out a lot, but I still didn’t love it and used an entire spool of white elastic thread just testing it out! Instead I used quarter inch elastic for the same effect. I cut two strips of fabric (one for the front, one for the back) that were 14 inches tall by the width of the bottom edge of the shirt. Then I sewed them together at the side seams and folded so that the folded edge is bottom hem and the double raw edges attached to the bottom of the shirt. I sewed channels 1/2 inch apart and threaded the elastic through every other casing. I used five pieces of elastic and gauged the length by wrapping around my middle. I’m very pleased with the result! Prepare to see more of these in the future!
update! I added my review to Pattern Review – there’s a lot more specific construction information in the review!
Oops! I used a metal zipper intended for jeans on the back of the shorts in a simple centered zipper. Ummmm… perhaps a dark blue plastic zipper would be a bit better, hm? For the shorts, I used the muslin from my trouser adventure as the pattern. Thank GOD for this project! I’d just cleaned out my sewing room and had a whole bag of scraps lined up for the garbage man. MY MUSLIN WAS IN THERE! Talk about misplacing a piece of fabric!! I like the shorts, although shorts aren’t my favorite garment in the world… I attached rick rack to the hemline of the shorts. It’s GIANT rick rack – probably an inch from one side of the rick to the other side of the rack…
It’s time to see the shorts and the shirt mixed up into a few different looks. I wasn’t feeling overly inspired, although I was happy to don my mondo shirt. I put red knee highs (actually, thigh highs or over the knees from Target, but they fit my healthy legs like knee highs) and boots, but was yearning for a pair of mustard yellow tights. And a jaunty little newsboy cap. And a military style fitted jacket made from greige canvas.
I also like the shorts with my polka dot T. See how happy I look? I imagine this will be an often-worn combination. If it ever gets warm in Minnesota. I probably won’t tuck in the shirt – I just wanted all ya’ll to see how high the waist is on the shorts.
Moving on to some shirt combos. I love yellow and blue and white together. And the ruffle works well over the cardi!
Here’s a couple of the shirt with a simple white skirt, just because I love the silhouette!
The wide band at the bottom of the shirt makes for a nice side view. I trimmed the shirt before I attached the band, making the back a bit shorter (a totally reverse FBA – really, I was adding length to the front.)
I just LOVE how the back sort of poofs out! Also, the sleeves were meant to have elastic on the hems, but I liked them free flowing instead of puffy. I left the hems unfinished, as this fabric is really awful to sew. I went through three ballpoint needles and nearly dulled my seam ripper to a point of no return while trying to hem the ruffle.
The shirt is also prone to age-inappropriate shortness. I was too zealous when I hacked off that five inches from the bottom before attaching the elastic band. I tugged it down while taking pictures, but this picture cracked me up! My belly managed to make an appearance after all!! Check out that mischievous look in my eye!
That shirt turned out fantastic! I think kidding around looks great on you, and so does navy.
Both look very cute and versatile! I'm especially in love with your shorts and those navy wedges… I saw similar ones a while ago and I think I'll have to investigate if they're still there… 🙂
YAY! I LOVE it! The then and now pics are so great!! I love how you replicated the pose!! And it's fabulous how both separates go with so many other garments–major score!
I LOVE the shirt, very cute!
I love the before/after picture! Your 'stance' with your hands on your hips hasn't changed over the years! LOL Great outfits! I especially love the shirt – it's pretty and versatile! :-))
This outfit is adorable! I love all of the combinations and I especially love your young/adult photos! Great job!
wooooo wooo! Snuggy Buggy what a hottie you are! You have been hiding those GAMS! I object! Really really cute post!
Thanks guys!
Alessa – they're black wedges – I think navy is a very unnatural color for shoes, which is probably why there's so little of it in my closet! A pity, as the color seems to go nicely with my eyes and hair! I was thinking a pair of RED wedges would be perfect, as I'm not a huge fan of mixing navy and black…
Debi! I was totally into the challenge, but was concerned I'd end up with more of a fun/costumey outfit (which is totally up my alley sometimes!) I was so please at how workable both of the pieces are. The shirt is SO COMFY and casual! It's almost like a built-in-girdle for the midriff!! Your blog is where I got super interested in Sew Weekly! Thanks! If I have time, I'll be making a hot lips houlihan homage outfit this week, but I suspect I'll have to sit this week out 🙁
Andrea – you would rock this shirt. Make one! The elastic band didn't take much longer than just a plain ole' tshirt hem.
Nikol – I know. Apparently, I've aspired to be a superhero since a young age…
P. Sue – oh, you'll prolly see more gams. It is difficult for me to cover up in the hot months!
You were workin' it then, and you still have it now! Great photos.
I have been lurking on the site for a few months now and I just want to say that you ROCK. Your sewing skills are so impressive, your fashion sense is great and your confidence is something I want to have. –
I always miss the sew weekly newsletter in time to participate. Not that I understand the Sew Weekly site AT ALL. The entire thing confuses me.
ANYWHO…love your before & after. SO cute. You're always cute though. 😉
Mommy en France! Thanks for delurking!! Confidence is easily fakeable until it feels totally natural :-0)
Angie – i KNOW – that site is totally confusing. And I've signed up for the newsletter twice, but never received one. I posted the before/after picture to the photo pool, but didn't do anything else. The whole site is so pretty, but stuff is hard to find – at least for me 🙁
Me too! I feel a little stupid since I rarely have trouble with sites, but my brain just cannot navigate that site. I sort of click around trying to find things and eventually just get disgusted/give up. 😀 Good to know I'm not alone! ha!
Boy you take good (and fun, and a little funny!) pictures. 😀 I love how you took inspiration from an outfit from your sprogy years. It turned out super cute! I hope you get some use out of it.
Oh, that is seriously awesome.
I love rickrack! That shirt is precious with the little sweater too.
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
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