Wadder, wad-ette, or wearable?

The sewing mojo hit yesterday. Not for the jacket that has been sitting cut out and waiting for sewing time since before Christmas. Nor for the trousers that have been waiting just as long. Nope, instead I decided to ruin start on a new piece of fabric. Without a muslin. In my defence, I thought I was safe because I had checked the pattern pieces would physically fit.... pity I didn't pause long enough to do a style check! I had to size the pattern up -hmmm, perhaps the Ottobre people were right to stop at a 46.


So, I present Ottobre 2-2008 #10.





With this view I could almost decide to wear it.... a bit baggy but maybe wearable....


then I saw this view -


I could be pregnant with octuplets in there and no-one could tell! I'd like to hope that, because the fabric is fluid, there is enough movement to show there isn't. I'd really, really like to hope that. And I do like the fabric, a chocolate Ponti knit.

I thought about shaping the side seams more but that isn't going to fix that tent effect from the side.

I've also toyed with unpicking the lower front to remove the gathers and excess fabric in front, but would that work with the style? Out of curiosity I wrapped across to try to simulate this idea -
What do you think? Fixable? Or do I just call this a day and a wadder for the donation bins? Or do I ignore the side view and go for comfort?

Comments

Anonymous said…
I see what you mean about that side view. I still think a total unpick and redo is the best option. And darts. Fabric is good for you though, so I'd try and save it if you can. Or persuade R that YOU'D like octuplets too.
19 February, 2009 22:37
Keely said…
My reaction to that would be considered blasphemous! I can just imagine DH reaction!
19 February, 2009 22:41
Keely said…
I should clarify that that's to the idea of octuplets, not reworking the jacket. :)
19 February, 2009 22:42
Kat said…
Two ideas come to mind.

1. Pin waist darts. That little fix my work. It could lovely shaping to an otherwise somewhat shapeless lower front.

2. Remove some, but maybe not all of the gathering, and use a princess line to that horizontal seam. Put the princess line right over or slightly to the side of the bust apex.

Gathering is a double edged sword IMO. It can be a really cute, stylish design but only little teen twigs can pull off the moderate to voluminous gathers. It can add quite a bit of fabric causing (what I call) the dreaded tent effect. It makes us look 10-20 lbs. heavier.

Keely, I really think this style can work, but it needs some vertical shaping via a waist dart of princess line to that horizontal above-the-bust seem.

My take? Try to salvage it. Once you pin waist darts, you'll get a quick preview if a vertical line will work.
20 February, 2009 03:09
Kat said…
Gosh! Please excuse my typos in the above post. I'm still not awake yet...
20 February, 2009 03:10
CraftRage said…
I really like that chocolate brown color; it's very flattering!

Not that I'm all about what's in the fashion magazines, but there ARE a lot of pictures of tops shaped like that, and worn with a belt...

I'd say try it on with a belt before making any alterations; if the belted thing works for you, shazam! If it doesn't I'm afraid I have no suggestions; in your place, I'd probably still wear the top as it is, just because the color is so warm. :)
20 February, 2009 03:10
Rhoto said…
Whatdoyathink, Keely... Post it in PR as a "Project in Progress"? (Only "problem" is that MOST comments are "oh, so nice!". We all like that, eh, but it's not very helpful in the learning curve. ;)
Soft hug,
Rhonda in Montreal (PR)
20 February, 2009 07:03
Lorri said…
I think it has potential. I agree with Sherrill at PR. The color looks great on you.
20 February, 2009 08:47
Paulette said…
I say, try to make it work and if it does not, then keep it as a comfy, wear at home shirt. Why waste the good fabric?
20 February, 2009 10:12
Sew-4-Fun said…
I've made garments like this many times where I am betwixed and between on the style. Put it in the wardrobe and see if you wear it. If after a month it's still sitting there you have your answer.

Sometimes I get a brainwave about how to fix a garment in the meantime but most of the time after I month I've got over losing my good fabric and I just move on.

IMHO some things aren't worth fixing because they will only ever be ok garments and not make me feel good about myself. I hate garments that make me feel blah.
20 February, 2009 11:30
Kat said…
Rhonda is so right! "Oh so nice" comments are not exactly helpful. If something looks like shit on me, I really want someone to say, "You know, Kat, that really looks like shit on you! Try something else." I'm not easily offended :) .

On that premise, I'll reiterate my previous thoughts in a more direct manner ;) . I want to take your shirt and dart it good! Show the world that there is a nicely-shaped woman under this top designed for an Octuplet motherload LOL. You have a nice figure, but this top, in it's current state, isn't showing it. Either redesign/alter it or give it away. We're sewers. That means we CAN have fit AND comfort :) .
20 February, 2009 15:48
Anonymous said…
I would pin some darts in from the bottom and try on again to see if additional shaping would help. I have had my share of purchased tops with that shape. I also read that you can curve the hem so that it is longer in the front and curves in gradually at the side seams. I am getting ready to do that on some of my oh-so-pregnant looking shirts.
A statement necklace might bring attention up towards your face.
Thanks for the pix.
20 February, 2009 17:49
Sewing Geek said…
I think I would unpick the side seams and then grade the front seam wider. Either that or try to put in a bust dart. It appears as if there is not enough fabric to go over the bust. I am basing this on the fact that the front hem is shorter than the back. so to pull the hem in, either a dart or just increasing the size of the front side seam, graded down from the armpit.

I would do this by basting or just pinning to see if either suggestion works.
20 February, 2009 17:54
angie.a said…
Oh gosh, I want to see this fixed Keely!! I have it traced and I even cut out one months ago that I never stitched. I traced the 46, but I'm pretty busty (which you konw, ha!) I've really been wanting to make it, but now I'm worried. I don't need the octuplet rumor mill going either!
21 February, 2009 14:23
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