Proto-pants

Now here's something I didn't think I've ever do...

But then I was thinking that if I'm going to, you know, actually wear my Wonder Woman bathing suit in public I should probably be okay with wearing something similar on the internet. But I will distract you with all sorts of detritus in the background.

So: one-piece, two-piece, different two-piece, burka?

Pin It

Tweet

A Woman Wondering about Wonder Woman

Time is marching on before we leave for our trip and I've been thinking of little else than my Wonder Woman swimming costume.  I lie in bed a night and obsess about what to do with these three fabrics.  My original idea was to panel my Pin-Up Bathing suit pattern into three pieces but in a fit of insanity I'm considering a bikini. Because, you  know, I haven't worn a bikini in fifteen years so it's completely logical.  I guess I reckon that a Wonder Woman Bathing suit would be so outlandish that it doesn't even matter if it's a bikini. No matter what guise this suit takes, it will be ridic.

Source

This is the picture that started the wheels in motion.  Bottoms, yes please. Top, you are not for me with your width-producing expansiveness.

Source

I like the ruching on these bottoms, they might be more flattering than a straight brief.  The top is dismissed by default as it would only look like this if I wore it backwards and my shoulder blades nestled in those tiny cups.

Source

Speaking of which, just what is going on here?! It is so incongruous to me that these modest (and awesome) bottoms are paired with this lol-tastic top. Retro- you're doing it wrong.

Source

Now here is an interesting proposition. My immediate thought was that I would use the gold for a bog-standard waistband, but maybe it should be an independant belt attatched to starry briefs?  The top is more-or-less what I'm planning, minus the halterneck, which would pull my neck and head forward to such a degree that I weep and phone a chiropractor. I hate halternecks.

Source

And finally, I leave you with a anxiety pic.  I love the briefs.  I covet the briefs.  I wish to recreate the briefs.  However, look at the sliver of skin between top and bottoms.  I am incredibly short waisted (and top-heavy obviously), so I'm worrying that a supportive top and high waisted bottoms might leave me with approximately half an inch of flesh between the two pieces. Which would no doubt result in fantastic tan lines but would render a two-piece obsolete.

Here are things I await you telling me:

• Very modest two piece on the short waisted: is this crazy talk?
• Gold fabric: waistband or mock belt?
• Wonder Woman bathing suit in general: will I end up crying because people laugh at me?

Pin It

Tweet

The Stripey Missoni Muslin

It's down to the wire here, with only three sewing sleeps until the soirree and I'm still swithering about cutting into my Missoni fabric.  The first draft and mock-up over the weekend was, shall we say... less than successful.  Which is a particular shame as I used the fabric I intended for the lining fabric.

Most of the fitting issues from the never-to-be-shared muslin one were through the upper bust and arms.  The dolman sleeves were too tight and pulled the neckline wider than it should have been, baring my bra straps.  And my shoulders. 

It was also too tight across my hips and upper thighs so I added some extra ease.  Version one went straight down from my hips; stripey version two tapers a little bit.

The side view is still causing me angst as the bosoms are being smashed pretty flat.  I am hoping that this is because the stripey fabric has very little stretch to it.  It also feels kind of nasty, in case you're wondering.  I suspect it's acrylic.

And finally with a belt, because if I do make the Missoni, it'll probably be belted.  And at least three inches longer.  Muslin one was not this hootchy, I'm blaming the fabric again.

Proceed with caution or mission: abort?

Pin It

Tweet

Let me be your dress up doll. Again.

After your invaluable help with the wedding dress quandary, I thought I'd give you another opportunity to prove your sartorial wisdom. Steven's brother is having his 30th birthday party (in town) tomorrow night so I spent this afternoon tromping up and down Princes Street looking for something to wear. I hate shopping by myself. I also hate having my eyebrows threaded, but I did that too.

Here goes. Option one is a black and white polkadot affair:


It's basically a very tight sheath, which based on my astute observations today all the cool girls are wearing. Note I said cool girls, not Cool Girls. Cool Girls are wearing jodphurs. I have added the red belt to demonstrate my ability to accessorise, but mostly so I can wear my red shoes.


This frankly awful picture shows the super ruched sleeves. Ish. Trust me, they are very ruched indeed.


And this is my not quite flat stomach the side view. Feel free to discuss how tight this dress is.

Option two is a knitted grey dress:


It has lots of superfluous buttons:


Humblest apologies that my boobs are looming like they might pop out of your monitor.


I am wearing opaque black tights because the shop assistant said I should and she was younger and trendier than me. I know, you find this unbelievable. Without the dark tights, it is apparent that this dress is both tight and short. Youthful knees, I miss you.


But I don't do everything exactly as I'm supposed to. The big black belt came with the dress, but I think I prefer the red belt.

So. What say you, wise style mavens?

• Option one: Polka dot dress (with or without tights, choice of black or red belt / shoes)
• Option two: Grey dress (with or without tights, choice of black or red belt / shoes)
• Option three: Get thee back into town tomorrow for more shopping. This time, go to an age-appropriate shop.
  
• Option four: Pick a fight with Steven right before the party about not having anything to wear and/or feeling fat and then don't go to the party
  

Bonus points (in a non-existent game) will be awarded to people who tell me how to accessorise and do my hair as well. I love having a blog.

Pin It

Tweet

The Gigantic Cop-Out

I was so disheartened and unconfident about the likelihood of pulling off a handmade dress in two sleeps, that five minutes after I posted my frustration yesterday I took the bus into town in search for a dress. And I bought two! I actually found them at Bravissimo, which for those of you not in the UK, is a company that caters for people with big boobs. It's actually very clever, there are normal number sizes for the clothing, but three different cuts within each size: Curvy, Really Curvy, and Super Curvy. It was a bit of a shocker that the dresses I bought were two full sizes smaller than what I'd normally have to buy to accommodate my chest. But it's not all sunshine and roses, I don't know which one to wear...

Dress one is a rose print number with pleats. It's okay from the front, although I'm not sure the neckline is the best for my shape.


Here's the details of the pleats. So pretty.


But the major thing that's giving me pause is the side view. The combination of the pleats and the fairly heavy weight nature of the fabric creates a big paunch across my tummy. I pressed the pleats down more last night and this is the improved view. I'm not sure I want my tummy to look any more paunchy than it already is.


So on to dress two! This is a deep pink satin number with cross over bodice. It's extremely body con.

Again, the detailing is just lovely. See how the bodice is pleated but not bulky?


Because it's satin and body con, I have some ripples across my hip bones which force me to tug it down periodically to smooth them out.


My reservations about this one? Eh... it might be inappropriate for a wedding. It's funny though, I think it'd be fine if it was worn by someone with a more reasonable cup size. Having a large chest definitely has the power to lower the tone and have people sneer at you.

Which one should I wear? Steven wasn't enthusiastic about either, so a third choice would be to return to town and search for another. So, what say you?

Pin It

Tweet

Let's pretend I'm your dress up doll

Okay. I have a wedding next weekend and no dress to wear. (This is not strictly true, I have no dress I want to wear.) If I was your dress up doll, would you dress me in option one:


This is the Colette Chantilly. I have to say, at first glance I was not In Love with this pattern. But then I saw this version in the Colette Flickr pool:


I really hope she doesn't mind that I'm using her image, but by way of apology I think I might propose. Doesn't it / she look beautiful? I do, however, suspect that she is much thinner than me and perhaps I would not do the pattern the same justice. So here is option two:


This is the Colette Macaron. Again, did not love at first glance. But... looking through the Flickr pool and the reviews at Pattern Review has changed my mind. Just look at what different fabric choices can do:


Again, I hope she doesn't mind me piggy-backing her awesomeness. By way of apology, I think we should all visit her blog and bombard her with messages of devotion. Only a goddess could forsee those fabrics coming together to create such loveliness.

Option three. Bonus points because I already have this pattern.


This is the Colette Rooibos. But I'm not sure it's dressy enough.

Option four. Sigh. I don't even know why I'm giving you this option. I could wear my Parfait:

Or I could make another Parfait now that I know what I'm doing. Ish.

Please leave a comment with your vote. I might just ignore you.

Pin It

Tweet