Friday, August 10, 2012

Raspberry Lemonade



I have a love/hate relationship with the color yellow.  It is a bright and cheery color that looks great when paired with so many colors that I love.  However, yellow does not love my complexion.


And yet I purchased a length of this rayon/linen eyelet . . . go figure.     


The lemony color really is lovely – just not anywhere near my face.  So for the Sew Weekly “Yellow Challenge,” a skirt was the ticket.


This is now the second version of the Beignet skirt I have made.  How many times does one have to use a pattern before they are officially obsessed and/or stuck in a rut?  To be fair, I will be putting this one away for the moment, although it will not be forgotten.  Wouldn’t it look lovely in a soft wool?


I previously used this eyelet fabric for an unlined skirt.  However, this particular silhouette is fitted, and something needed to be done about all of those eyelet holes.  I decided to use a white quilting cotton with a tonal floral print as an underlining (leftover from my first attempt at quilting which is currently in a bag and in pieces – maybe I should do something about that!).  I thought it would be a bit more interesting than a solid white even if I am the only one who knows that the fabric is patterned.  


The skirt pieces were cut out in the cotton, laid on the rayon/linen, cut, and hand basted together.


I used my extra silk/rayon yardage from the undercollar of this dress.  It has a beautiful drape, making a thread tack necessary at each of the seams.  


And this time around I could not resist the call of my beloved Hug Snug seam binding.  I think I forgot to mention it, but for my bubbled Beignet I decided to live dangerously and merely pinked the seams of the outer shell.  Because both lining fabrics are so lightweight, I decided to use french seams for a clean finish.


And I am sure it is no surprise that the buttonholes are bound!


So my experience with a bit of jonquil was positive overall!  Now I feel bad about all of the nasty things I have said about the color for so many years.



Blouse:  Made by me, Simplicity 2154
Skirt:  Made by me, Colette “Beignet”
Shoes:  Banana Republic
Earrings:  Macys

14 comments:

  1. Your finish is always impeccable. I adore your bound buttonholes. I'm going to try them one day soon. I've just about mastered welt pockets so I think it's not too far off.
    This is a gorgeous skirt, like you I love yellow but can't wear it near my face this is the perfect compromise.

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    1. If you have mastered the welt pocket, bound buttonholes will be super easy!

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  2. You've put so much effort into the finishing, and it's really paid off, nice work.

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  3. Lovely- especially that inside- wow!

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  4. Your bound buttonholes are great! I love the bow belt too. Just keep wearing this skirt with other colors like raspberry that look fabulous on you and no one will suspect that you can't do yellow!

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    1. Thanks Stephanie! And I can't wait to play with all of the new color combinations possible with my new appreciation of the color yellow!

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  5. I have to agree to the fact that your work is impeccable! I must ask, where did you learn so much about sewing? Even though I have sewn for years (not including the 10 year hiatus from sewing), I feel as though I am starting over with learning. Your clothing is simply beautiful! and the interiors are pure artistry!

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    1. Thank you so very much!

      After a quick lesson from a high school friend's mother, my obsession with sewing clothes really took off. I am basically self-taught. All of those Vogue/McCall/Simplicity pattern instruction sheets contain some excellent information! Some trial, and a few errors along the way, and picking up a few tricks from an excellent costume designer in college really did the trick. I have to say that a whole lot of practice makes (almost) perfect. :)

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  6. I hear you 100%! I've been feeling yellow so much this year (perhaps it echoes the chipper mood I've been in), yet haven't unearthed a single piece while thrifting lately that worked on me. I know from past experience that I need to (generally speaking) stick with tones on either the very pale or very golden/saffron side of the spectrum, and have been hunting for those shades to no avail. I'll continue though, as I'm dead set on injecting some yellow into my vintage wardrobe.

    I think you found an absolutely shade of yellow here. It reminds me of (and I mean this entirely positively) of the colour of yummy banana pudding. Love the whole outfit from top to bottom!

    ♥ Jessica

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  7. You must be the Bound Button Queen! That is such a delightful feature to put down the front of your lovely skirt. Awesome simply awesome!

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  8. This is such a cute outfit! Those two colors look so bright and fresh when paired together. Your attention to detail and patience in finishing is an inspiration to me! :]

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  9. Your skirt is so cute. I love the contrasting ribbon and buttons. Maybe a warmer hue of yellow would work for you. I have the same problem finding the right shade of yellow.

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  10. I love this skirt. I have to get this pattern. I've already been researching fabrics for it. :) Your's turned out lovely.

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