26.2.13

I bought that?

Most of my fabric is bought online, which means that every now and then I am caught thinking, "I bought that?  Really?" and I dash back to the computer monitor to compare that little photograph with the fabric in my hand.  This was one such case.  It turned out to be a whole lot more yellow than I was expecting.  With overtones of eighties grandma dresses.


The fabric is a silk georgette with a lovely drape, so I decided to make it into a simple top, using long OOP Vogue 1786 (© 1996).


The only change I made to the pattern was to use bias binding on the neck rather than turn under a narrow hem.  The curved hem on the bottom was trouble enough.


I'm still not sure how wearable it is.  I road tested it by wearing it to work today when everybody else was out on training.  It was certainly comfortable, but now that I have seen these photos, perhaps the trousers are not the most flattering accompaniment.I did try a few other skirts and trousers but have not come up with a winning combo...not that I'm giving up yet.

16 comments:

poppykettle said...

That's the funny thing about buying fabric online. When I did my stash count last year, I noticed that the fabric languishing was the stuff I bought online. The stuff I kept going back to sew with was the stuff I bought in store. The tactile experience is lovely, but not always available! I still buy fabric online... sometimes you win, sometimes you don't. I actually kinda like it with the pants - you remind me of this hip young lawyer in my office who has fabulous dress sense. :) But it's gotta be what you're comfortable with!

liza jane said...

I could see it with jeans and some long hippie beads. Bet it feels lovely on!

katherine h said...

I did try it with jeans, long beads and a denim vest...does make for a different look.

sdBev said...

LOL Had the same experience, several times. Most vendors will refund but I never ask unless they short the length. I figure, I can always use a surprising fabric for experimenting.

kbenco said...

I have those online surprises as well. Sometimes they turn out OK, but other times they pad the stash. I figure it is still cheaper than a trip to a city ;) Good on you for using the fabric although it wasn't what you were expecting, the pattern looks perfect for silk georgette (+ there are extra points for using old patterns) and there are so many colours in the fabric you are sure to find something that looks just right with it.

Anonymous said...

I love the top with those trousers. The dichotomy between the "pretty" top and the solidsemi structured trousers looks awesome! And bonus it is a slightly different look for you. Love!

Audrey said...

I like the top. I can see why the print reminds you somewhat of the eighties, But the colors are so pretty and modern. It reminds me of the loose floral tops that are being featured in the fashion mags over here for spring.

Gabrielle said...

I haven't had much experience buying fabric online, but it seems risky unless you're getting the long view as well as the close up!

Although I see what you mean about a tinge of the 80s I like your new top, and in any case I think aspects of the 80s are becoming fashionable again. If you want to downplay the unexpected yellows, looks like it will go with many other colours - like dark green or purple maybe?

Susannah said...

I think the fabric works ok. But i know what you mean about the pitfalls of online fabric shopping. Colour can be a real trap - with potential distortion in both the vendor's photo and then from the purchaser's computer monitor. And the drape is a complete unknown.

Some internet sites do what they can to overcome the pitfalls - Ann at Gorgeous Fabrics usually gives a reasonable description, and provides Pantone numbers as a guide (now all I have to do is get the pantone number guide...).

I've bought a fair bit of grey, black, navy, khaki, cream and white over the net. All pretty safe, and all work well in my wardrobe (sometimes better than the fabrics I buy in the flesh. Sometimes I get seduced by a colour that looks great on the bolt, but doesn't work as a garment that i would wear. Sigh!

Gail said...

Yes, this fabric could have been the ultimate mistake, but you have used it to great effect. I really like it with the Burda pants.

abailey said...

I like it! I can see where you were worried about the fabric itself, but it turned out to be a great blouse and would look fabulous with a nice pencil skirt!

Amy said...

Ooh, I actually love these trousers and the outfit together. I have tried to pull off this trouser shape before but I think I'm wearing the wrong shoes. I sometimes find pastels prints hard to figure out, so I can see what you mean by the yellows. I wonder how this would look with a cobalt blue or kind of bright dark purple?

Zoe said...

Hehe! For what it's worth, I think it's fab and you look awesome as always xxx

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Anonymous said...

Hi Katherine,
I love the top - I also like the suggestion about a pencil skirt, maybe with a front side split with button detailing!!!
Sue G

Lovenicky said...

Hi Katherine! I think the print of the top looks good. But I know sometimes some fabrics can look good in pictures and just so-so in person. If you really don't like the print, I wonder if you had thought about dying it a different colour? If the fabric is 100% silk, it should take on dyes very easily. If you think it's too yellow perhaps you could dip it in a red dye? Just a thought.