Wednesday, January 19, 2011

On Op shops and tank tops



I love op shopping (charity or thrift stores) and there's nothing I like better than a fabric bargain, so you can imagine the thrill I got the other day when I was in the op shop and the assistant said to me, "oh we've got a new lot of fabric out the back that I haven't had a chance to sort yet, would you like to have a look through?"

Would I like to have a look through? Pa ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

I got seven marvellous pieces that cost me all of $9, but I felt a bit guilty and made a donation on top because buying them that cheap felt like one step removed from shop lifting.

And here's another funny op shop story for you. I had just finished going through the fabric box when a woman approached me and said, "I don't know what the etiquette of this is, but I read your blog." Way hey hey, my 15 seconds of fame. I milked it for all it was worth when I got home. "I'm too famous to do the dishes." And when my son pushed me out of the room so he could have his Dad all to himself I said, "mobbed by fans."

That's NZ for you though - it's really just one big village.

Now some of you are bound to find this very silly but the new pair of white trousers features underpants on the pockets. I got to thinking about how one reason people don't wear white jeans is the knicker show through - then I thought, why not make a feature of that and pretend like you can see my nanna knickers on the back. So I designed these full briefs with low cut legs and decorative elastic. No need to worry about visible panty line now. The great thing is that to a casual observer they'll just look like a series of decorative lines, but once you know what they are, that's all you can see.



One of my sisters was curious to know why I didn't go whole hog and put a thong or y fronts on, but that would cross the line from smirkery to mockery. Keep it smart, keep it subtle.

I also thought the whole white dirt thing is no big deal either. It's just like linen that never looks ironed, white never looks clean.
"oh gosh, look at all those marks, so dirty already" and that could be 5 days later. Truth be told they are filthy in 20 seconds flat. What's more white doesn't even stay white in the wash. If you think these look light blue, guess which idiot put them in with a non colourfast blue tee? That's right, that idiot was ME.

Next to blue, they still look white though, but Gail was right - that 2% elastane has taken these pants up a half size. I now have to wear them with a belt! Still, when I sit down, I am loving that extra room.

(top: Burda 07-2010-121, jeans Burda 7738).




I am working on the navy tank and in theory it should be an evening's work but it's taking forever. Sewing two jackets and two pairs of jeans in 3 weeks has knocked it out of me. So here I am struggling to the end of this outfit over a simple tank top.

Them's the breaks.

21 comments:

  1. Love the pockets, such a cool idea.

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  2. Best. Pockets. Ever!!! Love the pants with that top - very resort chic.

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  3. OMG those pockets are the best thing I've seen all week! Brilliant.

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  4. Your pockets are the cutest! I am considering that top for my SWAP, so it's nice to see it on you again. It's pure laziness about sewing all those ruffles that keeps putting me off, but it does look good on you.

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  5. I'm *really* tempted to steal your cute top-stitched pocket for the jeans I'm working on. (the ones with the built in girdle, yep, I'm boning her....)

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  6. Loved this post! And, I'm glad I'm not the only woman on the planet who can't keep white pants white for long. I don't even have small kids to blame.

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  7. Love the pockets! You're right, no-one would realize but once you know ... ;)

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  8. Not only undies, but Big White Undies!

    Big White Undies
    Big White Undies
    Big White Undies

    Mary Anna, I love your sewing details. They make me laugh.

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  9. OMG I want undie pockets.

    Also, awesome score on the fabrics! :)

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  10. Love the pockets....made me laugh out loud! looking forward to seeing the whole wedding outfit together ;-) That jacket was great - tempted to give it a go myself!

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  11. I'm looking forward to seeing the whole outfit too. (Boys crowded round to see what I was laughing at
    so loudly). Sounds like the assistant at the op shop knows you by now,what a lovely stash.

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  12. Cutest pockets! Your stitching mimics undie elastic very well!

    I must admit I do keep a lookout for you when I go to Global!

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  13. I have to say I don't wear white as I live in a red soil area and have a small dog who loves to jump... Love your pants and the pocket details.
    I was rescognised in a fabric shop once from my blog but the worst thing is I with sewing buddies and they won't let me live down my "fame"!
    (Ha! my word verification is 'undes')

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  14. The pockets are really the best! They leave a smile on my face.

    I'd already figured out what an op shop is. However, do you say it as "op" or say each letter individually? And does it stand for opportunity shop or what? Obviously, a confused American here! It's fun to see different terms in use in other countries.

    Congrats on your fame!

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  15. Like everyone else, I really love your witty pockets!

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  16. Best pockets ever. Brilliant idea!

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  17. I adore your smirky pockets. I also still love your ruffly sleeved blouse. It looks very chic with the white trousers. I hope your family appreciates your fame :).

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  18. Now that you're famous you can wear things like white jeans with (s)knicker pockets.

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  19. That's supposed to be "(s)knicker" with no line break.

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  20. I'm giggling away. I was wondering what underwear you were planning to wear with the white fantastics. The pockets are great but I am little disappointed that I am not reading a "How I Made My Own Diamante Butterfly at the Back G-String Knickers" post. It would have been all class.

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  21. Consider this fan mail! I love those pockets, so clever and witty.

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