Haha! I lolled pretty hard at this outfit above, but decided to share anyway. I look like some kind of burgeoning superhero or something yeah? All I need is the cape. “NO CAPES!!” * (Edna Mode, of course)
Fear not, fellow fashion victims, I will not be wearing my new top and tights together like the above example, well maybe for fancy dress. Or, if facing the general, unsuspecting and innocent public, then not without a lot more garments layered over here and there to break up the expanse of raspberry pink anyway, woof.
aaaa, oh dear, calming down now. See here’s the thing… I wanted to make some more coloured tights. I really enjoyed my bright paprika tights, when I had them, even did a 6-different ways post on those things once! I wear black tights a TONNE, like everyone else, but have found it’s absolutely terrific to have a bit o’ variety in the tights department, to have some more colours for layering in my winter wardrobe. I’m embracing a small pink and plum trend in my wardrobe lately, so bought this piece of poly knit during Fabulous Fabrics recent sale with a view to some Intentional Wardrobe Matching and Planning… oooo so organised! Not like me at all 😉
yesterday’s outfit, wearing the tights
I laid down my custom-fit tights pattern and then of course discovered, as you do; that I had enough around the sides that I could probably squeeze a t-shirt out of it as well. Waste not want not!
For the tee; I used my Closet Case patterns Nettie, which I’ve also made tonnes of times I’ve fine tuned the fit over and over so much it’s barely the same pattern anymore. You could call it a vestigial Nettie.
So, the tights are fabulous, and I’m happy, yay! however the top is a so-so thing that I’m a teeny bit meh about. Stretch poly is excellent stuff for tights, but actually pretty horrendous for a top. It’s slightly thick and beefy, doesn’t press at all, and is that ultra slippery slinky stuff, that slips and slides over itself, and the whole two metres of it will slither right off the table in an avalanche of fabric if so much as a small corner starts to slide over the edge. grrr. I made up the tights, easy peasy. When it came to the top, oh god, horror story stuff. I’ve re-done that bottom edge three times… THREE TIMES. The fabric just wouldn’t take anything. Attempt number one; ye olde trusty twin needle. Except, no. It kept skipping stitches something awful.. so I gave up and moved to attempt number two, a small discreet zig-zag. It stretched out and looked disgusting, so I unpicked that with much muttering and growling under my breath. Attempt number three was to turn under twice and hand stitch it, which is usually a failsafe for me. I think this will be ok. If not, I’m going to move onto plan four, which will be a folded band all around the bottom edge, same as I’ve done to lengthen and finish the sleeves.
Essentially a extra-long, folded cuff.
Anyway, it’s done. I kinda regret not using the excess fabric for underwear now. I actually think it would have worked a lot better for lingerie, than as a Tshirt. Well, we live and learn!
Details:
1) above
Top; Pattern Magic twist top in charcoal ponte, details here Skirt; Paprika Patterns Jade skirt, in wine silk/cotton knit, details here Tights; own design, my tutorial for making your own custom-fit tights pattern is here
Boots, made by me, details here
2) below
Green top; Closet Case patterns Nettie, in green cotton mix stretch, details and my review of this pattern here
Paprika cardigan; my own modifications on the Closet Case patterns Nettie, details here
Raspberry top; Closet Case patterns Nettie, with sleeve and neckline modifications
Skirt; Vogue 1247, blue corduroy, details here
Tights; black poly, own design, my tutorial for making your own custom-fit tights pattern is here
Boots; made by me, details here
today’s outfit, wearing the Tshirt
Bahaha! That title cracks me up!
Pity the fabric was such a pain for your top but the tights looks perfect and you have managed to layer the top in the picture above perfectly.
It’s a lovely colour! I wouldn’t have thought to combine it with the orange cardi but it works.
Consider the top a long sleeve singlet – underwear!! I want to wear coloured tights but feel so silly wearing them. My style must be too classic. You look good!
Your amusing stories are so pleasant! You know that I love raspberry as garment colour and you ARE wonderwoman but you are right, better stay incognito and layer those pieces;) The colour would be perfect for undergarments, Vicky is right with her suggestion. 🙂
Love the raspberry colour and how you have encorporated it into your wardrobe.
Great pieces — though I’m sorry the top isn’t that great to wear. I can relate to the underwear dilemma — me-made undies are a revelation for me, so now I try to squeeze out jersey scraps whenever possible, just to have an excuse to make more.
PS: A cape wouldn’t be amiss here. And by “not amiss” I mean I believe you could not only pull it off but possibly also start a trend 😉
I giggled like a crazy woman at your comment about that crazy poly material – “that ultra slippery slinky stuff, that slips and slides over itself, and the whole two metres of it will slither right off the table in an avalanche of fabric if so much as a small corner starts to slide over the edge. grrr.” I know EXACTLY what you mean. I won’t go near that poly stuff – I am one of those people who could comfortably reside in a meat locker (good thing I’m a Canadian 🙂 ) and that material just won’t breathe so there’s no way I’m wearing it anywhere. Even my tights are as much knit cotton as possible – my fantasy is silk knit leggings 🙂 but that will have to wait for another day. But then again why wait? Thank you as always for such a great post – I’m always keen to see what you’ve made and put together in a complete outfit. My favourite of course is your “summary” outfit with raspberry top, orange shrug, blue skirt and green fingerless gloves. Gorgeous. Playful, modern, comfortable and colourful!
Raspberries – my favourite berries! You do rock those coloured tights.
About the hem-that-cannot-be-stitched… I use strips of tearaway stabilizer (the stuff they sell for machine embroidery) on top of the fabric. Keeps the fabric from stretching while you’re stitching, and no skipped stitches. Once you’re done – just (carefully) tear away the stabilizer.
thanks Irene, and for the advice on hemming slippery stuff; I didn’t think of that but you’re right, that would have been an excellent idea. Thanks!
yes !! the word is INCREDIBLE !!!
You’re looking like a superhero indeed! 🙂 You are one with sewing super powers! Hehe! I like the color of the fabric and I think it fits hreat into your wardrobe. Oh and I really like your layering outfits!
Wow, you’ve been productive lately. I love the raspberry colours on you, and of course, those boots!
Hems – ack. Know what you mean. My fourth try might have been to try the machine hem stitch. I think that worked on a similar recalcitrant poly knit for me. But as I recall, I messed the neck binding up on that one. Yours looks positively dreamy.
thank you very much Cussot! 🙂
I like the punch of raspberry in your wardrobe too this season! And of course…. ‘no capes’ per Edna!! Ha!Ha!
I’ve just recently discovered the delights of the knit blind hem! The faberwood Instagram feed had a pic a week or two back where they do a blind hem with a zigzag, which creates a lovely faux cuff or band. I’ve been researching a proper blind hem with my stretch blind hem stitch but am yet to try it yet but I suspect it will be a little more discreet…. I’m converted! Lovely colour on you btw!
That’s a lovely colour, I bet you’ll have loads of fun with those tights! Too bad about the t-shirt… but maybe it’ll work out.