I've never been the biggest fan of prints, so when I find some that I like, it's true love! I fell in love with this crisp Dark Midnight Paisley Printed Cotton Poplin which is unfortunately sold out, but there is still some available in the yellow colorway. I knew it would be great for this top.
And since I knew that I would be making the pants also, I wanted a complimenting fabric, so I picked this Italian Navy Pinstriped Blended Linen. It's a cotton/linen blend with 1% of polyester. Just enough to keep them from wrinkling like crazy.
Vogue 1507, by designer Rachel Comey is taken straight from her Spring/Summer 2015 Collection. So I wanted to use similar types of fabric that I knew would work for both of these designs.
I cut the Rachel Comey Bowtie Crop top in a size 12. The fit of the top is quite generous. I probably could've cut the size 10. But I just tied the knot tighter, which worked out to my advantage and made the back "bra-friendly". The top is a layered design with scant narrow hems... lots of them! I felt like I was hemming this all day, but it was so worth it in the end.
Because the wrong sides will show on the hang of the flutter sleeves. And those tiny hems create a beautiful flirty swinginess. This fabric was perfect and handled wonderfully. With this type of hemming, you need a fabric that's crisp and takes heat well.
I cut the Rachel Comey Expedition Pants in a size 14. I was shocked at how long the inseams are on these. I normally have to add at least 3" to the length, I didn't add any to these. I suppose they're drafted long with the intent to cuff them up like on the designer's version. I did have to take in the waist, they were very loose as these are high-waisted pants.
The back waistband is faced, but the front is simply a single layer of fabric with a narrow hem. If I were making these again, I'd interface the front panel and probably use something thin like lining fabric as the facing. I feel that they could benefit from stabilizing, because after I've been sitting that the waist may grow.
What the pattern company failed to mention on the back of the envelope is that you're supposed to use a "separating" 6" zipper. I had a regular metal 6" zipper. I even did an online search and I didn't find any separating zippers that short. So I had to do a LOT of maneuvering to get that zipper where it's supposed to be.
But I like the asymmetrical design with the fold over pleating effect that's created. Even though it takes some shimmying to pull these up and down.
I really like these pants because they're interesting. The go together really quickly. They're different than just a plain pair of tailored trousers and a lot more special than a basic pair of jeans. So these are two winning wardrobe pieces added to my collection.
