Progress on a sequinsy sewing dare

Back in August I decided to take on a sewing dare from Gillian "To draft a pattern using a new to me fabric and then find an occasion to wear it ".

My plan was to make something like this dress I saw at Claudie Pierlot when I was in France in March. I adore the clash of casual versus sequins and have often thought about this dress, wishing that I'd bought it, so thought I'd try it for myself. Despite looking like a skirt and top, the Claudie Pierlot is actually a dress. 
Trust Dress grischine Claudie Pierlot
There are some amazing dresses being sewn in sequins at the moment - go check out Poppykettle or Gail at myfabrication.  This is NOT such an outfit!  But I did have fun making it and for years I will find tiny sequins throughout the house.

I've mentioned before the fantastic assistance I had from Colette at Tessuti in choosing the sequins for me.  She sent me down 3 versions of the disco stretch sequins (2 matt and 1 shiny) and two viscose jerseys (a marle and a darker grey) - I think something like this.  I wasn't sure that the jersey (which is very lightweight) would hold the sequins, so early on I decided to just make separates. And to be honest I wasn't sure about the top I was going to make, so best to play safe with separates.  With mixed, very mixed results.
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The Top
Mmmmm. Fail!! I'm not that happy with this top.  Just like our poor side gate behind me in the photo, bits are ok but it's not really good.  Construction wise it's ok.  I used the Briar pattern  as the base and reinforced the shoulders and the hem. But I feel like it looks like a pyjama top.  I don't wear a lot of tops or tshirts like this - in fact none.  Ever.  Knit tops that I wear are always a heavier fabric (more cotton?) and usually boat neck so I feel odd and a bit self conscious in this. Originally I had put a band on the bottom of it but that band was doing me NO favours! So I cut it off but then had problems getting the right length.  I was looking for the 'drop waist' look but failed. My original vision was of a top with longer sleeves, but - well nothing really works does it.  So, sort of sewing dare fail (for now) in the top department.  But all is not lost. Onto the skirt..
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The Skirt
I love the skirt. I mean I'm barely ever going to wear it but I still love it. It was not at all difficult to put together.  It is such very basic construction that I'm not sure I can even say I drafted anything.   I used the matt sequins as the main part and then simply sewed the shiny sequis piece on the bottom.

You can see from the picture below that I just sewed the pieces on top of each other as I wanted the effect for the bottom piece of fabric.. and you can't see the stitches anyway.

This picture on the left is also the best representation of the colours and 'shininess'.
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There is only one seam at the back.I then simply 'sandwiched' the wide elastic in between the lining and fabric et voila!
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So, back to the drawing board with the top (already have something else in mind as I am keen to wear this skirt out, and actually wearing it is half the dare! So I'm not done yet.

Don't ask me but a tennis racquet just seemed like the perfect accessory.  
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43 comments:

  1. Oh I totally love that skirt!

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  2. And I think the tennis racquet is perfect with it!

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  3. I think the tennis racquet really helps the look :) He he. The skirt is lovely. You'll work out the top - the right fit can be fiddly

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  4. Such a fabulous skirt! Seriously, how easy is it sewing with sequins? I love the two tones next to each other :) Shame the top didn't turn out like you wanted... especially because the fabric looks dreamy. Fingers crossed the second iteration will be more to your liking :)

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  5. LOVE the skirt! I see what you mean about the top, but i think i'm like you - never wear things like this unless it is to bed or walk in. Does look fab all the same, the grey-on-grey is great

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  6. I would wear this skirt every day! Plus, you can always make another top!

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  7. I love the skirt too! You have to wear this out to dinner, drinks, anywhere really. Perhaps a darker grey closer to the matt sequin used at the top would have worked better. But we didn't know which way this skirt was going to go ;)

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  8. Sorry, I'm in a rush and can't read the whole post right now, but I just have to say I absolutely LOVE the skirt!!

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  9. The skirt is fabulous! I love how well the two tones work together and how versatile it is. You could wear it with a casual top or a smarter one. I hope you find occasions to wear it as it should definitely be on show!

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  10. The skirt is wonderful - it looks so amazing! Can you make a slim fitting, darker coloured sleeveless top to go with it?

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  11. I love the outfit and really think you're being a wee bit hard on that top. I agree that with this skirt a darker colour would be even more lovely, but I don't think its a fail at all. The skirt is just wonderful.

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  12. gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! i think you'll probably find other uses for the top, as it's such a great basic color and fit. the skirt is definitely stealing the spotlight here! love how easy the construction is, but how much of an impact it makes in an outfit!

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  13. Super love that skirt, so beautiful! If only I could find sequins like that in Chicago. The top seems like you'll find a use for it, it looks great and seems like a pretty nice wardrobe staple.

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  14. LOVE LOVE LOVE! That skirt is so awesome. I like the lighter color of the top( especially with the warmer weather you will be having) and I think a boat neck would be better too. Or maybe a two tone baseball tee...similar to the colors in the skirt??

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  15. The skirt is perfect. And the top? If you think it looks like a PJ top, pair it with some PJ bottoms and wear it to bed. I would consider making something a little shorter and looser fitting out of a heavier sweater knit. But that skirt... I love it!

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  16. Ooh love the skirt! You def need to wear it out. Can't wait to see what you come up with for the top!

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  17. Thanks Morgan! I have new plans for a top, so it will definitely be worn out!

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  18. That's exactly what I'm thinking! A looser, shorter sweater. We'll see how that goes...I won't stop til I find a good match :)

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  19. Thanks Margo - it's funny what we end up with in our wardrobes as sewers! I love the two tone idea.

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  20. Thanks Jen! I'm surprised you can't find nice sequins in Chicago - I certainly couldn't in Canberrra so had to outsource :)

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  21. Thanks Sallie. Yes, the skirt definitely steals the show :)

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  22. Thanks Evie - and thanks for being nice about the top. It's not soooo bad - but agree, that maybe a slightly darker top could work (with a different pattern).

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  23. Good suggestion! I've been going through my wardrobe pairing every top I own to see what will work best. That would definitely be a classy option!

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  24. Thanks Claire - and yes! Now that the skirt is done I keep thinking of the really fancy tops I could also make to go with it! It is so fun to have something like this in the wardrobe that I really must wear it!

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  25. I think you are being too modest about constructing the skirt. I know that sewing over sequins is a nightmare! It looks fabulous and I very much have skirt envy!

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  26. Thanks Colette! In fact, I originally had the lighter sequins for the top of the skirt and cut it out bit small so had to start again - sooo lucky I had the additional sequins!!

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  27. Oh yes I'm going to make a different top because I am desperate to wear this out!

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  28. Completely agree - both with the style you suggest (I don't know what I was thinking) and that I have to wear the skirt out.

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  29. Thank goodness I went with separates! I've been trying on (why didn't I do it earlier) all my tops and yes a shorter kimono style tea will works HEAPS better - just the real thing doh!

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  30. Thanks! The outfit will get there - the top just needs to change. But a sequins skirt is so fun!

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  31. Thanks Melanie! In hindsight I just didn't think through the top well enough - but I have now so back on track. Yes, the fabric is super dreamy!

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  32. Ha ha ha! Who knew that was the bit of bling I needed. Yep - getting the right mix can be tricky - but fun:)

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  33. Sequins and a tennis racquet - but of course! Thanks for the love for the skirt.

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  34. What a great job on the skirt! I think the freebie Maria Denmark kimono sleeve tee would look great with it - and you get your boat neck line! I am sure whatever you make though will look great!

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  35. Love, love the skirt! I think the combination of the two sequin fabrics looks fabulous and really matches the original dress. I don't think all is lost with the tee as I bet you'll get a lot of wear out of it as a casual piece. Maybe a heavier knit would look less casual to match the skirt. I think you should treat the skirt as a neutral and pair it with all different types of tops (hint for a future styling post).

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  36. Wow, that skirt is something special! And believe it or not, I like it with the slouchy top and tennies! SO many ways you could style this.

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  37. LOVE LOVE LOVE this skirt!

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  38. Oh, please, can I borrow your new skirt? ;D
    Everybody should own a sequinned-something! Instant glamour!
    And yes, the tennis raquet is the perfect accessory!

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  39. ermagherd. Kirstt, that skirt is freaking rad! I love the two tone sequins. Canberra is so ready for this. We need to have lovely lady drink and frock up, I say!

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  40. That skirt is gorgeous, and it will be easy to make a new top to match. Now I want one too!

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  41. Oooooh, look at you, this is gorgeous!! I love sequins, but often shy away as they are coined as 'evening wear'. But you could wear this little number anywhere, even, yes, to play tennis! Love it!

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