Thursday, September 29, 2011

Here's where we started - Kwik sew 3463. A lovely heavy merino (wool) knit. Fabric too heavy for this design, and too much stretch. I think if the fabric were lighter and drapier the loose style would be fine, but this is not the kind of knit that wants to be made up with room to spare. It's a touchy feely huggy kind of fabric.



Oh how I wish I could take the time to get a decent photo at the right time of day. I know there are other bloggers in my position (young children chomping at the bit) who would wait several days to get a good shot because they wouldn't sully their beauty spot with crap photography. I am not one of those bloggers. I take my moments when I find them and sometimes they are just a few seconds before dusk.




To the back, I added a elastic casing and pulled in the waist. I reduced the whole tunic one size. I added a bottom band, which I made a little smaller so I could gather in the a-line slightly. The tie you can see is what I attached to the ends of the elastic I threaded trough the neck band so I could pull in the upper torso.



A more detailed shot of the front - I added the tie pockets to match the back tie and you can see the effects of the gathering on the front neckline. I tried to make the top dress length, because I don't wear a lot of tunics, but I can see proportionally it's not working for me - the whole dress is too heavy and it needs something solid to ground it - some boots would work, or some skinny jeans underneath. And here's another thing to consider - if it's cool enough to wear wool, it's too cool for short sleeves.

Learning, learning, always learning.



Still I am much happier with this incarnation and some restyling could just make it.

Well I had another 2 things to work on in my "remix" box which I never got a chance to for my September challenge. One month self-challenges work really well for me. Long enough to keep me focussed, not too long to become arduous, and every month I get to come up with a new naff title!

Tell me, who could resist?

22 comments:

  1. Amazing what a few nips and tucks can do!
    Re: boots - yes get some, they'd look great with your tunic! I got some new ones this year and they add the required attitude to outfits that don't quite make it otherwise. Like half my wardrobe...

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  2. Awesome re-do! I think it looks great. I agree with you on the wool/short sleeves thing. I've really never understood the short-sleeved jumper or cardi thing. There might be a couple of days a year it makes sense!

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  3. I like it. You've really added shape and saved it. I have a similar shaped garment (store bought) to your first version but it's in light weight and I still feel it looks like a sack on me. It's always in the back of my mind as I feel I wasted my money on it, and I've been trying to think of ways to add some shape to it.

    Also re the photography, I'm with you - mine today could be better if I waited for a sunny day but that just seems like too much hard work.

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  4. The shaping makes a big difference. Dare I say it? It's even cute now! You are very creative with your re-dos.

    Your comments about photography made me chuckle. I am in the exact same situation with the same attitude. I have limited time, and my hobby is sewing not photography, so my pictures are pretty poor. As the days get shorter here, they will get poorer still.

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  5. Version 2 is almost tempting me to attempt alterations and re-making myself. It deserves new boots.

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  6. I really like this! And the little alterations and styling with those tights up the chic factor significantly.

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  7. I think you are justified in getting boots now after saving all that money refashioning. knee high boots seem to add instant style to everything even sacks. Looking foward to outfit october ( and what about a naughty november - you could admit to things like umm not prewashing fabric !)

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  8. Great re-work. I need some of your creativity around here to give a few projects a lift.

    I hope that you can work this tunic into your wardrobe, because that colour is really working for you.

    I'm usually working the opposite way...I must remember that if it is too hot for sleeves, then it doesn't need a high neckline...or if it only looks good with tights or leggings, then it must be warm enough for winter...I have already put away all my "winter" dresses that require leggings, and it is probably time I packed away all my jeans as well.

    i don't mind the dusk shots...I love a peek at other people's gardens.

    You've piqued my curiosity..what is the October challenge?

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  9. Oh, I like your remake of the original! and love that color!

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  10. Oh wow, that is a pretty wonderful refashion! The shaping is a huge improvement and the pocket on the front add interest here; you did a great job and it looks fabulous now!

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  11. Another great redo.

    I totally get the photography comments. Though for me I am just so excited to finish something I want to photograph it then and there, no matter what state my hair etc are in. I don't even brush my hair some days, so this approach is not always the best.

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  12. Great looking tunic! It doesn't look like a "save" at all.

    I sympathize with the difficulty in taking pictures, but am grateful my 10 year old does a pretty good job (better than my husband - or at least it's easier to tell my kid what to do!). Winter is the worst for taking photos since I'm not willing to go outside and indoor lighting is meh at best. Need to figure out something better.

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  13. I like the new version, the pockets are really cute. You may be interested to know that my short-sleeved merino was one of my faves this winter- wore it over a stripey t-shirt.
    It's fun thinking of cheesey alliteration for October- what about Oh-no-October (sewing failures) or Opalescent October for shimmery clothes or OctoOctober for clothes made for toy octopuses. Or real octopuses. Sorry, I'm getting silly now.

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  14. Another great save. I think the style of the new tunic is great. I think I might need to borrow your idea and set myself monthly challenges as well. I'd struggle to stay focussed for much longer than that. Getting photos is tricky isn't it. Regardless of the time of day, I drag my husband out and just get him to keep snapping for a minute hoping there will be a couple of 'passable' shots.

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  15. Long sleeved tee underneath, with fairly thick leggings and boots and its entirely winter suitable. I think its CUUUTE!

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  16. You look supercute in the dress! Love it!

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  17. Love your reincarnation! The tunic/dress has been saved.

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  18. Hey Marynanna, you're looking fab. I love this tunic. Neckline, waist, pockets and colour... all good.

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  22. Long sleeved tee underneath, with fairly thick leggings and boots and its entirely winter suitable. I think its CUUUTE!

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