WIW errands and casual dinner- ETA alterations details and necklace. - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW errands and casual dinner- ETA alterations details and necklace.

karen13

Veteran

I haven't worn my WHBM jean jacket as much as I'd like, in part because I only liked it with a navy or burgundy solid color under it. And this floral t shirt was a bit of an orphan because it is not a petite, and thus was a bit long and low necked to my taste.

I did a quick and dirty alteration of taking the shoulders seam up about an inch and tapering to a dart in the sleeve (this works pretty well on dark fabrics and random prints where the seam isn't as noticeable). I noticed the floral had the same colors of grey and burgundy, and thought I would try wearing them together.

What do you think? Too busy? I tried faux tucking, but couldn't get it right, so I will review delurked's post and practice.

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31 replies

Latest reply was from LaPed

Helena

Veteran

I love how this came together ... Definitely not too much; it looks very cohesive. Burgundy suits you so well!

JAileen

Veteran

I really like it! Too busy? But there’s only one pattern. Nice alteration. I hate low cut tops.

Lynn

Veteran

Definitively works! I like it.

rachylou

Veteran

Nice colour combining!

Aurore

Veteran

You look great! The items are very harmonious together and I love the proportions. I prefer #2 with the unbutton jacket, as it allows the floral tee to be more present.

JillG

Love the "quick and dirty" alteration of the shoulder seam! I need to remember this.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I like the look especially with the jacket on ,the colour and cut on you really pulls the whole thing together.I m glad I m not the only one who hacks bits off my clothes if they are annoying me!

Kathie

Veteran

Great combination! The floral print ties the other pieces together, and lightens the entire outfit while still retaining the deeper/richer colors you enjoy.

delurked

Veteran

Looks good - not too busy. I do like prints, and glad you were able to alter it. I wish more v neck and u necks were made with a shallower opening.

Sisi

Veteran

This is a lovely outfit and the colors are very flattering on you! How good that you were able to quickly fix the tee and make it work (have I said how much I envy people who are able to cut and sew?). And I totally agree with Delurked: too many tops are made with the wrong neckline!

Zibbets

Veteran

Well done on the DIY alteration! This is a great outfit. Jacket/jeans proportions are perfect. Not too busy at all and those booties!

SarahD8

Veteran

Wow, the fit of the top is gorgeous, well done on the alteration. And I love the print and color scheme for you. The end result is fab, not too busy at all.

I kind of want the gray of the jacket to be repeated elsewhere in the outfit. Maybe a gray belt? Or a short strand of gray (maybe even silver) beads or pearls? I wonder if a key accessory or two could help that jacket integrate into more outfits, it’s stunning on you and certainly deserves lots of wear.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

FABULOUS. Fun with the new specs too.

Bonnie

Veteran

It looks great and I envy your seamstress skills. I agree with Sarah that a short strand of gray beads/pearls/silver would work well.

Christina F.

Veteran

Those colors are all very harmonious. It looks like you bought the tee to go with those items! Well done.

karen13

Veteran

Thanks everyone for the validation. I was thinking busy because while the jacket is not a print, it is one of my stronger statement pieces. I’m glad to be wrong.

Love the suggestions about adding grey elsewhere, in a bag or necklace. Or maybe shoes ( although I want wear the Bella Vitas at every opportunity).

The alteration is not for a couture piece, but it is simple and gets the job done. Try on inside out and pin to see if you can get a good shape. I baste the neck edge to get it to not shift when I stitch. You can’t always match the front and sleeve seams exactly as the the back is usually a bit wider, but a stretch the front a bit to make it close. This is why patterns and dark fabric are key. Then stitch (and top stitch for extra credit).

tanstaafl

Thanks for the tutorial on the alteration. I have a dark floral top that is just a bit too low cut that I might try it on.

I like the combination of these pieces, but really prefer the jacket open to show the print blouse.

Mainelady

Veteran

I think your outfit looks harmonious and fun. I wish I could alter my own clothes.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Brilliant idea for the alteration on the tee. I really like that floral on you. The outfit is fantastic! It's so fun to find a new combination that works.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Looks great. I love that jacket.

Bijou

Veteran

I really like this ensemble and love how the burgundy in your jacket ties through with the print and jeans. I would also wear the jacket and top with white jeans in spring, to make it feel lighter and more warm weather appropriate.

The Cat

Veteran

Beautiful blouse. Looks better on you than on the model. And the jean jacket look so great with the burgundy trousers that you can wear almost anything underneath.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I'm trying to follow your instructions for the sleeve alteration--did you pinch the shoulder seam to remove the excess and then continue that seam down the outside edge of the arm (like, where the crease would be if you pressed it) to the hem of the sleeve? I guess, if you are not up for resetting the entire sleeve/arm scye (and who is????) this is the only way to do it, right?

Katerina

Veteran

It looks great! Lovely combination!

Toban

Veteran

Lovely! It all looks fantastic together.

karen13

Veteran

Thanks everyone for the kind words! I love that a YLF approved outfit can be pulled from my existing closet. I did add a grey necklace made from some bits in my craft room based on feedback. I like it although I think it still needs more grey touches elsewhere. And my specs are such good match, Angie.

Emily -I am posting so pics to clarify the alteration, but yes, it is where the areas would creased be if you ironed it.

1) the wrong side shoulder and sleeve seam. I will machine or hand baste the neck aded and the shoulder/ sleeve intersection if I want it to be more precise. This is also where you can adjust the seam line a bit forward if you have "forward rolling shoulders". Just pin it wrong side out first to make sure you like the way it hangs and that it doesn't creat further problems elsewhere (particularly under arm)
2) the right side - see how a busy random print largely hides the alteration. I stop short of the sleeve hem because I didn't want to re hem, but you could unpick and redeem, or just sew straight thru the hem if that is the look you are going for.
3) the neck ( press seam to back, but did not yet topstitch - it will make it more visible.
4) how the sleeve and shoulder hang, and where the dart ends.
5) added a necklace of grey suede and pearls based on suggestions
6) necklace detail.

I have done a full sleeve reset on other tops and it is only worth it if you need perfection. Very fussy because you have to narrow the sleeve by the same amount you reduced the shoulder height. Quick and dirty is exactly that.

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Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Thank you for having taken the time to add photos! You're right--the seam is completely disguised by the print. I'm chicken to do alterations on knits. I took a class, one time, using a serger and it was so fantastically easy. But using my regular machine...I push and pull too much on the fabric and tend to stretch or buckle it. I did recently learn that I should use a walking foot to avoid this. It wouldn't be the first time I've wanted to buy a walking foot, but my machine is cheap and the foot is expensive so I've been dithering.

Gigi

Veteran

Lovely! I don't think it's too busy at all, and I am very sensitive to things being busy.

You are a talented seamstress. It is nice to be able to tweak things to see if they will become more worn and loved once the fit is right. I had an old jumper (American jumper, not a sweater) from J. Jill that I couldn't bear to part with because I loved the color and the empire waist on it, but alas, it was at least a size too big. I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend the money on alts (I can't sew) or just look for something similar in future. Well, the jumper happened to have a small stain on it, and the tag said "Dry clean" (but not "Dry clean only"), so I thought I would chance washing it to get out the stain and see if by chance it would shrink (the fabric was wool and viscose). I was overjoyed to see that it shrank just the right amount! So I wore it to church last weekend and had a high happiness factor.

karen13

Veteran

Emily - don’t be afraid of knits, use a narrow zigzag and practice a few test seams on an old T-shirt from the rag bag. I almost alway either hand baste or machine baste with a long easily removable straight stitch before I commit. I have a great serger, but I’ve madevthere alterations on my regular machine with a regular foot (because I’m too lazy to put on the walking foot) because you don’t have to finish the edge of knits. Make sure you have a fresh ball point or stretch needle. Universal isn’t. And what’s the worst that will happen? Start with something you won’t wear as is. Hold your fabric firmly but gently iin front and back of the foot and practice a bit. Pressing the seam after really helps too.

Gigi - I’m a huge fan of strategic shrinking. I find many knits and some wovens will shrink a good bit more in length than width, so I have “petite-ified” things over the years. But it is definitely hit or miss. I take measurements, then wash warm and remeasure, then dry low if I need more shrink. Then I repeat with warmer temps as I need more shrinkage. And with wool knits if you have an oops too much, you can soak in cool water and stretch to fix, sometimes.

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