2.06.2012

red to the nth degree


lets just get one thing straight: i didn't, but i probably should have failed every mathematics class i ever took after the point where it wasn't just numbers anymore. you know, like when they decided to throw in letters too (because, what? numbers aren't abstract enough??!?). so the fact that i pulled that math reference out for the title of this post is testament to the surfacing of some deep seeded memory i have long been trying to repress...

good. glad i got that off my chest.

now where was i? oh yes! heeeyyyy look at these red pannntttssss!!! pretty shmancy eh?

these bad boys are the result of all my clover tutorials and my second pair of pants made using the colette clover pattern. in the tutorials i showed you some of the changes i made to the pattern to give them more of a trouser look. this included giving them a front zip fly, side pockets and back welt pockets. i may have accidentally reshaped the leg of these while i was sewing them up, too.

i may or may not have been about to fall when this picture was taken...

so i probably won't ever wear my red jacket and my red pants together in real life, but it was just too good of a photo opportunity to pass up. especially considering that, you know, valentine's day (shhhh) is creeping up on us.

i always feel a little bad for valentine's day because for the most part, once you're an adult, its like, expected for you to hate valentine's day (but i think maybe secretly we all sort of love it - ha!) i've never actually celebrated valentine's day - except with my parents (love you!) but i always think about doing something. does anyone have any suggestions for some non-cheesy but still maybe goofy and fun things to do on valentine's day?


one of the changes i made to this pair of clovers was to cut all my waistband pieces, including my interfacing and facing, on the bias. one of my readers, elle, left a comment on one of my tutorials advising me against this. i seriously considered not doing it (i take the advise of more experienced sewers veerrrryyy seriously) but it was something i have seen on many ready to wear pants and so i was pretty curious (plus i had plenty of extra fabric should something go wrong). it must work somehow. well i'm very happy to report that my bias cut waistband went in without a hitch! and i am so glad i did it! the little bit of extra stretch compensates for my muffin top quite comfortably, thankyouverymuch!

cutting and sewing things on the bias makes me quite nervous - so i'm a bit reticent to give any advise on sewing a bias waistband - but i will say that checking the direction of your bias matters. make sure all your seams are sewn with the bias going in opposite directions. i also think it helped that i was using a really sturdy sew in interfacing (hair canvas) and a really sturdy cotton for the facing - which didn't have much give, even on the bias.


i know it seems slightly crazy that i'm wearing a sleeveless shirt at the beginning of february - even i thought it was too cold to take off my jacket when i set off to take these pictures today. but then i heard on the radio that it was 65 degrees (F)! and i felt silly for being cold and wondered where my northeast blood went to!

i really wanted to pair this coral shirt with my red pants. its the sort of color combination that seems like it shouldn't work - but when you actually put them together its quite lovely. the pairing makes me feel very modern yet feminine - and maybe a touch springy?

i finally feel like i might be at the end of my rope with my "fall/winter" sewing. i'll be spending the next few days gathering some inspiration for future projects, and though i can't quite believe it, gearing my thoughts towards warm hot weather dressing.

if you'd like to check out my clover tutorials - you can find them all on my tutorial page.

xx


44 comments:

  1. Your suit is gor-ge-ous! I love it. The color is so spring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Faye! I felt very "power suit" while I was walking around to take pictures today! I'm not sure how often I'll ever wear both pieces together - but its nice to know I have them if I ever need them :)

      Delete
  2. The whole look works! Your Clover pants look very very professional.

    I've bookmarked your tutorials for when I am ready to make the leap to trouser-making.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Melizza, thats so kind of you to say! I hope the tutorials help you.

      Delete
  3. I'm so excited to try out your clover pant tutorials! These look amazing!
    I'm with you. Even though we really haven't had a winter yet (like you the week has been in the mid 60's), I'm so ready for spring/summer. I'm tired of coordinating so many layers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lizz! Yeah - I have a feeling spring/summer is going to be coming early this year so I might as well get on board and get ready!

      Delete
  4. Yowzers, what a fantastic ensemble. It's not powersuity, more painterly. And oh, one of my favorite color combinations! Last summer I was one this major coral and red kick. (And it will probably continue. I just bought a silk blouse in this exact color as yours.) It's been so great reading your awesome tailoring adventures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love the "not powersuity more painterly"! Best. Compliment. Ever! Thank you Amy!

      Delete
  5. Holy Moly you are one hot tamale! I can't even describe how awesome this outfit it. I actually kind of dig it all together... maybe its that bit of the contrast lining that peeks out of the pockets and jacket that toughen it up a bit... and I absolutely adore the coral shirt combo. This is just to fantastic, and the fact that you made it makes it all the more impressive. Also digging the photo setting and the new hair style... (very fem). Keep up the fantastic work. I cannot wait to see the "spring line" reveal!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey thanks! I took these pictures outside of this creepy old "customs house". I'm pretty sure the only inhabitants are ghosts (and a lot of em!) But it made for a quiet setting to take pictures - no nosey people asking what I'm doing! (Uhhh I'm taking pictures for my blog. Obvs. God.)

      Delete
  6. They are fabulous. They look like they fit absolutely perfectly. I'm going to pretend that I'm not totally jealous. Love the red on red! So much fun. Love where you took photos, too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow! This entire outfit is just gorgeous! And whoa....that elusive perfect shade of red....you did buy the whole bolt, right?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Heehee... It sure felt like it when I bought it (about 4 yards... still have some left...) but no.. I left some of that "perfect shade of red" for the next sewer on a red quest!

      Delete
  8. Wow. Just wow! You should wear the jacket and pants together - it looks amazing! Especially with the coral shirt. Perfect.

    I really appreciate all the work you put into your Clover tutorials. I have them bookmarked for when I'm ready to start my pants. Your pieces are impeccable!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Gail - I appreciate your appreciation! I hope the tutorials are helpful!

      Delete
  9. What a perfect fit! They do look RTW (in the good way), and the red and coral does surprisingly work. Its the perfect one-off of the expected red and pink Valentine's combo. I think the suit look totally works, should you want to wear it that way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Crystal! Yeah - I think coral is a nice surprise over pink (which never quite looked good on me anyway!) I totally wish I was the kind of lady who got to wear a suit - but alas, most days find me working from home and even when I do venture into society my job is so laid back clothing-wise! However, I think the pairing will get pulled out again for the next event I have to attend.

      Delete
  10. Ohh this suit really IS gorgeous! Soon soon soon i'll win my fears and try myself at a pair of pants... all those adjustments really do scare me though. I need inspiration like you, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I LOVE those pants. I am really inspired by them. And I know what you mean about being over the fall/winter sewing. I feel like if I start sewing for spring perhaps it will show its face sooner.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your clovers turned out wonderful! I'm a bit wary of the pattern since tapered trousers look really silly on me, but I love your version with the front fly and straight leg!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Alessa! I definitely understand your wariness of tapered trousers! These pants got much wider in the calf - this was mostly because the fabric didn't have any stretch and they were really constricting below the knee - but I think the straighter, or slightly flared leg, is far more flattering!

      Delete
  13. You are too cute for words! Firstly, love the pink and red together. Secondly, you can SO wear pants. And thirdly, wow they are the hottest pants ever, the colour, the shape, the fit, the fly. Wanna do a tutorial for us novices out there?! Love your sewing, keep it up. x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sally, I just saw that you've been doing a tutorial on these glorious pants. Der!

    ReplyDelete
  15. AMAZING pants! I totally thought they were store bought at first glance. Then I remembered your tutorials. Seriously though, WOW on the pants! They look so good.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love the whole look and as your Mom I love reading all the sweet comments from your readers. Hey - that's my girl! And she didn't get any of this from me!! She's an Original! Can't wait to see your spring "line"!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh and the request for Valentine's Day suggestions. That red suit needs to go OUT on the town, Honey! Dinner at a cool restaurant you haven't been to yet is definitely called for - not very original but sometime classic is best!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmmm... you might be right on that one :) Go figure - Mom Knows!

      Delete
  18. I love the pants, especially the rich color. And, I echo the hating math after letters. I was doing so well up until that point!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know me too! Thanks for the compliment Hannah Jean :)

      Delete
  19. GIRL. I am DYING over these!! I think I am going to have to push aside, well, every sewing project I have in the back of my head, and draft me up some modified clovers! Yours are amazing and I am totally jealous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw thanks! It sounds like you have some awesome sewing AND knitting projects lined up (so in awe!) So while I'd love to see how you modify your clovers - I'd hate for some other awesome project to get neglected! I feel so conflicted... you'll just have to lock yourself in your sewing room and ONLY create for the next 6 months....

      Delete
  20. The pants look awesome! Well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Janice! P.S - sweet blog! It was the first time I visited! Love seeing what you're doing!

      Delete
  21. So hot! Muffin top... as if. It doesn't take long to acclimate to Texas weather. I'm always talking about how cold I am now that we're back in the northeast. Of course, while in Texas, I scoffed at anyone who complained about the cold. Ha!

    Been wearing my Clovers for a few hours now, and am sad to see how they've stretched out. Sigh. Word verification = bumsi. Exactly.

    ReplyDelete
  22. looks great!! I love your style.
    The peachy sleeveless blouse with the red pants looks so good.
    Peachy lipstick is verrrry pretty, too.

    ReplyDelete
  23. OmG you are a Clover goddess!!! Really makes me want to get my butt in gear and work on mine.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh just LOVE these! And they do look great with the matching jacket!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi! I followed the link here from Lladybird's blog, and i just had to say, these are just gorgeous!! I love the red, and love the idea of the bias cut waistband!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow! I found these through your post on the Colette forum—great work.
    Did you make the top, too? if you did, what pattern did you use? It's lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hehehe, I got a mention! To be honest, I think my clovers with the bias waistband had way more problems then just the waistband (which was pretty stretchy denim). And I do love cutting on the bias! Your red suit (separates?) is great!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow. I've been scared to try the Clover because I just haven't felt the shape is quite right for my body, but these trousers are making me think again. Beautiful! I want to try this tutorial now! Great color, too. I saw your beautiful jacket on Burda's homepage today. The whole look is AWESOME!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks so much!! Yeah, the Clovers are a bit funky, I'll admit. I really like the two versions I've made, but it took a fair few muslins to get the fit right for me! The one great thing about trousers is that they're really easy to change the leg shape - so if you get a pattern to fit you in the crotch you can basically make any leg shape you want! 

    Thanks for the heads up about the Burda feature! I had no idea!! What a pleasant surprise :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Love your outfit! It's very stylish and it fits you perfectly. The pictures Are stunning

    ReplyDelete