Bold & Graphic!

11:00 AM

Well, I finally finished these pants that I'd started here. In a moment, I'm going to tell you about these extremely annoying pants and I how I should always stick with my TNT pattern, but know -- I had to try something different. Oh well, you live and you learn.  But anyway, let's talk about this bomb ass top first!
I really love the idea of juxtaposing menswear with feminine details. Windowpane plaid is such a classic and conservative pattern that I wanted to give it a little more oomph with a trendy detail, like this slit sleeve style.
To create this look, I used (OOP) McCall's 6650 as my base. I cut the size 14, I could've gone a little smaller though. I changed the neckline to pleats. BTW, my fabric is this beautiful viscose suiting that I picked up from Fine Fabrics in Atlanta.
I modified the sleeve, here is my Slit Sleeve Tutorial. I used the cuff and just turned it around to match the slit opening.
The top has a back placket opening...
...with 2 buttons and a hook and eye.
Being that this is the season of the sleeve, this is another great one to have in my arsenal. I have a couple more ideas of how I want to work this one into a design.
Now, back to these pants...  Just to remind you, this is (OOP) Vogue 1366. My fabric is Buttercup Yellow Stretch Wool Twill from Mood Fabrics.com.  I cut the size 14 and I lengthened these by 6 inches. I made a couple of changes since my work-in-progress post. I ended up removing my beautiful front pockets because of pocket show-through. I couldn't unsee them. Sometimes it's completely unavoidable, be I knew that I would be haunted by that every single time I wear these. So they had to go. I also had to make a slight high-hip adjustment. And that threw the grainline off a bit. So I had to redo the pintuck on that leg by putting the pants on and pinning them down the center front while wearing them. I basically became a contortionist.
For the back pockets, I bypassed the instructions and used my own method. Here is my Horizontal Single Welt Pocket Tutorial.
I was pretty pleased with how they turned out.
If you're pretty straight or rectangular, this pattern would probably work better for you out of the envelope. I felt like I was wearing a pair of men's trousers because they were huge in the waist. My waist is about 12" smaller than my hip measurement. So they had to be taken in a lot in the sides and the center back. I do like the waistband and how they look on the inside. Such a professional finish. And those belt loops, one at the center back and 2 more at the sides. They're basically useless. I tried a belt on and it instantly rode up in the front. So they're there simply for decoration.
I'm going to wear these pants, because I worked pretty damn hard on them. But going forward, for a flared or wide leg style, I'm going to stick to my beloved Vogue 9032.

You Might Also Like

22 comments

  1. Omg....at first it was all about the pants...but HELLO to that top!!!! LOVE windowpane in this silhouette! LOVE all around!
    Ruqayyah - ReDpants Designs

    ReplyDelete
  2. Those pants may have been a PITA, but they look great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now that the "ordeal" (LOL) is over, I think I'm going to enjoy wearing them year round! Thanks Lora!

      Delete
  3. Agree with Lora, sorry the pants were an ordeal but they are fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your blouse is amazing! I have to say the same thing for the pants, sorry they were a pain but they are perfect. Love your outfit so much.

    ReplyDelete
  5. That top is fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your dressing looks great and unique

    http://games-gameworld.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Another gorgeous outfit! I love the pants.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great outfit, as usual! I read on another blog (think it was Bianca of 'Thanks I Made Them') that using flesh colored fabric for the pocket fabric prevents pocket show-through on light garments. And by flesh colored I mean *your* flesh color! :) Because that varies from person to person of course.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's pretty difficult to find fleshtone undies. So you already know about that lining! Thanks Ebi!

      Delete
  9. Both pieces are beautiful! I love the pleats you put at the center front neckline area of the top - classy. And the pants, despite its annoyances, look great on you. Love the whole outfit! Great job (as always).

    ReplyDelete
  10. I agree, both pieces are abosolutely gorgeous Erica! I am so in love with your color combination too...it fabulous! This is the first time I've seen women's wear window pane in a very,very long time and you worked it outstandingly! Great work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I saw it on a few runways for Fall 2016 and I HAD to have some. There was only 2.5 yards left of this. If it had been more... I'd have a lot of windowpane plaid! Thanks Myra!

      Delete
  11. This outfit is so stunning. You are such a style maven!!

    ReplyDelete

Popular Posts