Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Tangerine dreams

 Colour blocking is everywhere this season and I love it.  Perhaps I'm taking the idea too far with my double helping of burnt orange?  For the skirt I've used Simplicity 2475, a favourite pattern of mine.  The detail isn't evident in the photo, but my version has false pocket flaps with buttons to match the cardigan and belt carriers. The fabric is Italian ponte bought at Tessutis a while back, not quite as bright as it appears in photo.   Unfortunately it is no longer in stock or I'd be back for more to make a suit jacket.  I've had to satisfy myself with a soft knit in burnt orange merino wool knit.  This garment actually started out as my self drafted basic tshirt. Sadly, the merino is very fine and rather clingy.  So I bought another metre, drew a line up the middle and added the button panels. It was a happy mistake I think.  Eventually I'll make up a cowl neck singlet with the remaining fabric to brighten up some of my blacks and greys.

I was planning to show you my grey trousers (Simplicity 2700), but I have to tell these pants are a victim of my own stupidity!  They were always a test garment made from $2 a metre fabric but I have rendered them an unwearable muslin by the trimming the zip with the excess fabric around the fly. A definite no no as the zip has frayed into obvilion. The zip is sorry saga beginning with pattern notions calling for an 18cm zip (7 inch) when a 7 cm zip is required.  Having discovered this after shop hours, I grabbed a recycled zip in the wrong colour.  Another big mistake as a highly contrasting zip will show even under a fly front!!  Oh well, at least I have worked through the fitting issues.

Not sure what to sew next.  I have two more winter garments cut but now the weather is warming up, I'm in the mood for dresses.
Posted by at

20 comments:

  1. SueAugust 30, 2011 at 1:30 AM

    Love the tangerine - I wouldn't have known that the cardi was self-stitched - assumed it was bought when I first saw the photo. A cowl in that fabric will be a great addition to your wardrobe.

    ReplyDelete
  2. katherine hAugust 30, 2011 at 2:18 AM

    Great save on that cardi. Such a cheery solour.

    ReplyDelete
  3. KristyAugust 30, 2011 at 3:55 AM

    I love both those shades of tangerine on you, and with the flashes of black underneath it tones down the overall look. I'm with you in a bit of a sewing limbo, the weather is promising to become too nice to continue sewing winter clothes....

    ReplyDelete
  4. LoriAugust 30, 2011 at 4:10 AM

    Beautiful colors for your new garments, great save on the cardigan.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ShellyAugust 30, 2011 at 4:51 AM

    I love all the colour blocking too! I would never have known the cardy was self stitched and the tangerine colour suits you. A cowl neck top would look fantastic with other neutrals.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jane MAugust 30, 2011 at 5:21 AM

    And I just thought you were lucky and had the skirt to coordinate with a RTW cardigan. Nice save and lovely outfit.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousAugust 30, 2011 at 5:44 AM

    I love orange! NOthing better than an a line skirt! I might need to follow...

    ReplyDelete
  8. EugeniaAugust 30, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    Oh I love orange - and your skirt is a particularly beautiful shade. The ooutfit looks wonderful. Lucky you just going into summer!

    ReplyDelete
  9. CennettaAugust 30, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    Love your outfit, Gail. Color blocking "is" all over the place. And I like it. Good luck on finishing the rest of your winter wardrobe. I'm just starting to think about mine. Lots of things on my list.

    ReplyDelete
  10. BerniceAugust 30, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    I think the Tangerine Dream is really working for you. I love orange, particularly when matched with black. It will look fabulous with a cowl neck top underneath.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AntoinetteAugust 30, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    Stick with the color blocking! It's inspired. I sewed my first knit cardigan this spring, too -- I'm looking forward to wearing it this fall.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gay McDonellAugust 30, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    Love the colours! Great outfit!

    ReplyDelete
  13. CarolynAugust 31, 2011 at 2:49 AM

    Wow, this is so coincidental; I am working on a burnt orange skirt right now! Have nearly finished, I hope it ends up looking as fabulous as yours does!

    ReplyDelete
  14. BeckyAugust 31, 2011 at 4:51 AM

    I like that it's two different shades of orange--that keeps it from being too much. And sorry to hear about the zipper issues on the pants--I guess at least it was a muslin to begin with.

    ReplyDelete
  15. SewingadictaAugust 31, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Love this composition with shades of orange, it triggers humor and creativity.
    Beautiful clothes!

    ReplyDelete
  16. loopyluluAugust 31, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    I agree with Becky about the two different shades of orange being a nice look. Both shades look on trend.

    ReplyDelete
  17. jacquieSeptember 1, 2011 at 6:00 AM

    Lovely outfit, particularly the cardi, that works wonderfully. You'd definitely never know it was a save. Pity about the trousers though. At least the fabric didn't cost much but the lost time is always frustrating isn't it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. IreneSeptember 1, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Wonderful outfit! Looking at your picture, I think I'm getting up the nerve to sew a knit that I have in a similar colour. If I start to back down, I'll just refer back to your picture.

    ReplyDelete
  19. JeanSeptember 3, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    Great color! I love the outfit and how you re-engineered the T-shirt into a cardi -- clever! I'm sure the cowl neck top will be fabulous with that type of fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  20. meli88aSeptember 5, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    I love these colors together. You make them look so easy to wear!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)