We've seen on Project Runway how the designers are taken to parts of New York to experience the vibrancy, history, or grittiness of the City to inspire their designs. Or they are taken to a museum or candy store from where they are to gain insight into what their creation will eventually become.
The same is true for us. I had been wanting to make a jacket. Something simple and quick that I could whip up in a variety of fabrics and just throw over a blouse and be out the door but still look somewhat presentable. I thought I had found such a pattern in Connie Crawford's design for Butterick 5053. Five easy pieces, front, back, sleeve, collar, and cuff. No darts, no linings, no facings, no muss, no fuss. So, I searched my fabric stash for the perfect fabric but was not moved by any of them.
A lingering, persistent cough drove me to the doctor's office. It was while I sat in the exam room waiting for the doctor that angels sung to me. My inspiration was right in front of me - literally.
Yes, that gaggy, hideous, pink paper gown they make you wear was my inspiration. I looked down, saw the bright pink color and said: "Hey, I have some fabric just like this at home." I had purchased a pink, satin back crepe de chine about five years ago at a Hancock Fabric store in Las Vegas. I don't know why I bought it. It looked pretty. But, like so many of my other fabrics, I never did anything with it -- until now.
This fabric will be perfect for that Connie Crawford pattern, I thought. It has a contrasting collar and cuff which could be the satiny side and the crepe de chine side would be the main garment. So when the meds finally kicked in, I set to work on the jacket. Maybe that was the problem, I was on medication and not thinking clearly. Because I hate this jacket!
Yes, all those hours drawing the right pattern size, cutting, sewing, ripping, pinning, basting and I ended up with something that fits well, looks nice, but in which I do not feel pretty at all. In its defense, I have to say, it fits perfectly. But here's my problem. Everything I wanted in a pattern, no darts, no linings, no facings -- well, I've come to learn they are an essential part of a pattern. Since there were no darts, there was a lot of easing. The easing along the center front was not too much of a problem. It was along the back neck edge that I had issues. It seemed as though it took forever to get the easing into the collar. After the fact, I realize I should have put in darts. The darts would have taken considerably less time than all the attempts it took to ease the back neck edge into the collar. (Hello, darts are a good thing.) And when the front opens for whatever reason, like walking, you can see the seam where the collar and the front are attached -- and it's right there in the center front. Note to self: finish the inside seam allowances. (Oh yeah, more work.) So dealing with all the problems that come with taking shortcuts added more time to the garment construction, not less.
So, while I do not fault my inspiration - the exam room gown - I do fault myself. Sewing requires patience. And if you are going to take shortcuts, you are going to get a garment that looks like you took shortcuts. I'm sure that Connie Crawford's patterns are just fine for some people. And I have several more of hers that I may try. But, I will work through them in my head or on paper first, thinking of the consequences if I don't have a facing with which to work or darts for shaping. And I will not be taking any more shortcuts! They are just not worth the time. And I probably won't try to sew while taking medicine either.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate it.
Rita
No comments:
Post a Comment