Sunday, October 17, 2010

Flower Power Twinset

I love fabric that comes in and goes out just as quickly.  So here's a look at the Flower Power Twinset:


Fabric:
Rayon/lycra blend border print from Fabric Mart

Patterns:
Cardigan - Burda 8869 (OOP)
Tank - Sewing Workshop Mission Tank (OOP)

Notions:
5 - 20L 2-hole mother of pearl buttons
1/4 yard beige nylon tricot lining

Construction:
First the tank ~ this is a lightweight fabric.  Almost slinky like in fabrication so it needed special attention.  Because of that I wanted to make sure there wouldn't be any sheerness issues so I lined the front of the top with a tricot nylon lining fabric.


Otherwise the construction was very straightforward and basic.  Turned under the hems and stitched them down.  I used this top because it would best showcase the fabric.

The cardigan is autopilot sewing now since I've made it so many times and it is a standard in my wardrobe.  The main concern was making sure that I utilized the border print creatively and matching it up so that the pattern flowed from front to back in a pleasing fashion. (Gigi I thought about you as I was laying it out!)

The back did end up with a little more white space at the bottom than the fronts but hemming solved the problem so that the back and front melded well.  I really like the fact that more of the black flowers flow further up the back of the cardigan...


...versus the front where there are more white spaces at the shoulder line.  I think it just wears better especially with the coordinating tank under the cardigan.


The final touch was to use a thinner white band on the front of the cardigan.  I've noticed that more RTW cardigans have a thinner band and smaller buttons than I've been using, so I've adapted my front band to reflect those changes.  I cut my white band from one of the sections that separated the border prints.  I liked the idea of not having to pick which section of the border print to use for the band and the white band does tie it all together.

I love the finished result.  My daughter thought it was a little loud!  So it will only be worn with black pieces and on days where there are no meetings in the office.  However, I did stop for a minute and consider making up a yellow pencil skirt from a wool crepe in the collection that coordinated with this fabric. *LOL*  But then decided that was just a little too colorful for my office!

Here is the SW Mission Tank under the black suit that I made using S3631 and my TNT 4-gore skirt.  Three years later and that suit is still a workhorse in my wardrobe.


I've started working on finishing up the Simplicity 2958 jacket.  It's been hanging waiting for me for too long!  Especially now that the weather is perfect jacket wearing weather, it needs to be completed so that it can have it's moment in the sun!

...as always, more later!

74 comments:

  1. It looks wonderful, Caroline. I like your choice to replicate RTW with the thinner band. It looks great. Do you think this is a detail based on a designer's need to use less fabric in our current economic state? Smaller details may mean less expense for the manufacturer but they look like a million bucks on you!!!

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  2. Beautiful Carolyn! I hesitated buying this fabric and then it was gone...

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  3. I love it! That fabric is to die for! Great job!

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  4. Oh my! As always it is fabulous. I think a yellow skirt would be the perfect way to wear it into the Spring - maybe on a Friday, but with the black - love it! g

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  5. I love that. I tried to get that too but it was already sold out. I'm happy to see someone make great use of it.

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  6. Very lovely Carolyn. The colors and print suit you so well!

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  7. It's great Caroline. Great use of a border print. I've been looking at band sizes on knit cardigans as well. What size button did you end up using?

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  8. This is so well thought out and looks very RTW as a result. I think the cardi would look lovely over a black dress also.

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  9. Gorgeous. I love that print. I don't think it's loud at all.

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  10. I love it, awesome fabric

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  11. C: I don't think it's loud - I think it's BEAUTIFUL! Don't save it for the casual days. I think it's very formal in a flirty way. Wear it all the time!

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  12. I am mightily cross with you. First you made me love this fabric. Second you bought it all, or made others buy it, so there wasn't any left for me.
    Will I be gracious enough to tell you I love your twinset..of course!

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  13. I am such a twinset fan, and yours is beautiful!

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  14. OMG - gorgeous. Just gorgeous.

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  15. Stunning! What a perfect use of this fabric. You know, I am not a big fan of yellow but, since I've been reading your blog, I have warmed up to it so much that I actually bought a piece of yellow fabric to make a jacket!

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  16. Nice twinset. You could coordinate it with cream or even gray. I don't think it's too bold at all.

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  17. I think it's really cute, C!

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  18. I LOVE what you did. Just annoyed that *I* never seem to find border print fabric like that...Oh wait...I'm on a fabric moratorium. I'd break my "fast" if I could find something like that. You laid it out so beautifully. It's completely stunning!

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  19. Your twinset totally rocks!!!! Great use of a border print and it looks fabulous on you....

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  20. Very nice!! I think the yellow skirt or even white would look great in spring too. Give it a new lease of life next year.

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  21. Wow, you really took great advantage of that beautiful print! Gorgeous!!

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  22. What a happy cardi set!

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  23. Fantastic set, the fabric is wonderful.

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  24. I LOVE the twinset, Carolyn! I saw that fabric on the FM website but didn't buy any. You totally ROCKED it!!! I don't think it's too loud at all. ;)

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  25. WOW! It looks greatttt! You manage to combined my favorite colors, yello, white and black.

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  26. Totally cute! I have this fabric too. I need to get it pre-treated but I already have a dress in mind myself!

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  27. Wow, that looks fantastic!!! I love the fabric, and the pieces are so versatile. Amazing!

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  28. Great pieces Carolyn! You always find the best prints!

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  29. I saw that fabric and wondered what in the world would you do with it? lOL. You solved that question beatuifully. I love it and it looks great on you.

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  30. Every time you make something it becomes my new favourite. These colours are really lovely and I think you can wear these all year round.

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  31. Another fabulous outfit. It look great!

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  32. You know you got it goin' on! I absolutely love that fabric. I went to Fabric.com looking for it when you first posted your fabric and I couldn't find it. I would get a lot of wear out of that twinset. Can I have it???

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  33. Very lovely Carolyn!!! Yellow's your color and I think the color and pattern are absolutely perfect. I love the twinset idea!!!

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  34. Gorgeous. That's all. Gorgeous.

    BTW, good call on the yellow pencil skirt. I have found that yellow on my bottom half makes me look VERY broad across the beam!

    Gail D.

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  35. Such a fab twin set. I knew you would look smashing in this. The tab is a clever idea that works. Nice work again.

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  36. Beautiful twinset and the tank looks great with the suit.

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  37. Wow, you finished this gorgeous twinset while I was still regretting not buying some of that fabric. Your flower placement is so perfect....and I think that's what makes it look like a chic boutique item. Love the narrow band as well. You look as happy and asbeautiful as this fabric!

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  38. Smoking, you are rocking that twin set.

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  39. Fabulous! I really love the top under the black jacket.

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  40. Girl!!!!How did you make those flowers GROW??? That is beautiful!!

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  41. I'm still trying to work out how I missed this fabric... and now that I see this, I'm doubly jealous! (And I like the thinner band, definitely stylish).

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  42. I LOVE THIS TWIN SET! Beautiful it just pops against the black, you look awesome.

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  43. I love the use of the flower border print! Look lovely on you!!

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  44. WOW! But then look who made it! Love it!

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  45. beautiful, just look great on you Carolyn!

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  46. You look fantastic in this print Carolyn! Your twin set is perfect. I don't think the yellow is loud, I think it looks sophisticated and graphic with the black. I bet you get a lot of compliments at work on this one.

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  47. I love this outfit and I don't think it's at all loud! ;) I almost (almost) wish I had a different job so I could make more dresses!

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  48. Perfect. I love the pop of color, yet it transitions nicely to the cooler weather. I think updating the TNT pattern is smart, too. You're keeping current, but putting those TNT's to good use.

    Love the doll outfit, too. I've made plenty of AG dolls clothes and it is hard to cut corners.

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  49. My goodness! Faster than a speeding bullet, and gorgeous!!!!!

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  50. Wow this twinset looks great and the top with the black suit is stunning.

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  51. Love the twinset. I looked at that fabric on Fabric Mart and thought Carolyn would love that print. Saw your post right after that and just started cracking up. You do love your border prints.

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  52. Beautiful flower-power set! As usual, your creativity is producing spectacular results!

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  53. Beautiful! I don't think it's too loud at all.

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  54. Love, love, love that fabric! That twinset will be a welcome, fresh look in the harshness of winter, and equally pretty in the spring. I must go check to see if there is any of it left!

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  55. I think the twinset's great & not loud at all. It looks fabulous on you, too.

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  56. Here comes another "WOW". You look great. There are so many different ways that you can style and coordinate those pieces with others. I LOVE that fabric. In fact, I managed to buy some before it sold out. Thanks for showing it!! I may just copy your cardigan set. I like it that much. I don't have anywhere to store the fabric when it arrives so it has to become something soon.

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  57. Carolyn, This is so beautiful! I can't believe your work would think that this is too much to wear on meeting days, It is so lovely on you!

    You are my twin set idol!

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  58. You are looking sooooo beautiful in that outfit. Love it!

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  59. Love it! Great job with the fabric pattern planning and layout! I agree with whoever said it would be very nice with white, for summer, as well as the black.

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  60. Your clothes just keep getting better and better, love this - the larger print really updates and redefines the whole twin set look. A winner.

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  61. I love this!! Great use of the border.

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  62. Beautiful! This also feels so transitional to me - perfect for fall, winter spring or summer. Well done!

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  63. that is one awesome twinset. I need to try your wonderful tutorial on full bicep adjustment and get some sewing done. YOu are such an inspiration with your great outfits

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  64. Absolutely Gorgeous! I love the tank with the jacket too. You should definitely make the yellow skirt for church or a special dinner date.

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  65. Beautiful! I just love it Carolyn!

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  66. You look beautiful. Love the styling of your wardrobe pieces. That twin set is a MUST HAVE.

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  67. Totally love this set! I was really tempted by this fabric at FabricMart, it's a good thing I didn't see yours until after it was gone or I would have had to buy some of it.

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  68. That's GORGEOUS!!
    (I also love fabric that comes in and goes out just as quickly, lol!!)

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