I found this top for Selma last year on the sale rack at a local shop. I loved it a lot. I put her into it for the first time this week and knew, knew that it needed a black wool jumper to go over it. so I ran home and told Rachel all about the "whip it up nice and easy" pattern I was going to create in about, oh . . . 2 hours time.my first mistake - - I laughed at Rachel when she said she thought I should add an extra 10 cm. to the bottom width of the skirt. I could barely squeeze my poor baby girl into that first model.
once I found a size two dress pattern on hand, I re-cut the fabric, using the pattern as a guide
and tried it on my girl
took it in a couple of inches on each side seam
decided to put in a couple of pleats in the back to allow some give (per Rachel's suggestion - - I listened to her this time)
took it in at the waist another centimeter, gradually increasing the seam to about an inch and a half down at the hemline to remove the excess drape
and (many, many steps later) hemmed it up.
it's too short.
Rachel and I have decided that I need to try it again. maybe with the blue velvet I got in LA with Catherine (dare I? I really, really like the blue velvet!)I am pleased with the back closure. it is simple and neat, and I lo-ove the little pleats suggested by Rachel. reversible is nice - - it involved very little extra work and kept the seams looking nice and neat. I am reminded, though, how exact the two pieces need to be cut and sewn (hard for a no pin-er or measure-er like myself)
suggestions, anyone? speak now BEFORE I cut into the blue velvet!
