What's the Expiration date on that TNT?

7.07.2014

Last week I decided to whip up a quick pencil skirt and reached for an old TNT. It was Burda 127 (Issue 1/2008) a pencil skirt with princess line seams in the front and back. Suddenly a giant robot came out of the wall screaming, "Danger, Heather B, Danger, this TNT has expired!"  Alright that didn't happen, but it would have saved me a lot of seam ripping.  Upside is that I don't have to clean oil stains out of the carpet. 

Despite not getting a robot red flag, the warning signs of TNT expiration where there. Like the fact that the I last made this Burda pattern was in 2009. Shortly after that I gained about 60 lb while gestating the hungriest fetus ever. (Code name - Sir Snacks a lot)  Losing that weight doesn't mean it comes off on all the same places. Looking at you post baby fat shelf. Also past Heather wasn't quite the sticker about fitting like the current version is. It's OK, she didn't know any better at the time....lazy snitch.
Confession - I'm kind of making a mountain out of a mole hill. After finishing the skirt and trying it on, the only major fitting problem was that the back of the waistband was gaping horribly.  I could have slid Froggie in there for trips around town, except I don't need to draw more attention to my rear end.  

The gaping shouldn't have been a surprise considering the pattern is finished with a narrow, straight waistband. Straight waistbands and my tilted waist/sway back don't mix well.  Back in the aughts I didn't know why my waistbands never fit and solved the problem by covering them up with shirts.  However with my current bodysuit craze, Hail Hydra Nettie, a better fitting waistband was needed.  I decided to draft a new one wider waistband to suit my current tastes.
Using the same method outlined here I drafted a curved waistband with the finished width of 1 3/4".  To give it a little more visual interest, the lips waistband shape was traced off BlueGingerDoll's Peggy skirt pattern. Even skirts need sexy red lips.
Having already done the sewing penitence of ripping out a prettily stitched waistband and zipper, I went whole hog and top-stitched all the princess line seams.  The new waistband was attached and also top-stitched.  What can I say, that new to me blind stitch hem foot doubles as a really nice top-stitching foot. Bonus, a machine stitched hem fit right in with all that top-stitching. Froggie says, "Top-stitch all the things, then bring me a cookie!"
So yes I was irked about having to "un-finish" a finished project.  The sewing list is long and I don't want to earn demerits from my frog overlord.  Buuuuuttt sometimes you've got to put the seam ripper time in to get something you'll actually wear.  That's why we're sewing things in the first place, isn't it?  Well I'm sewing for that reason and to accumulate all the fabric I can get my hands on.
*Bonus bodysuit notes for fellow addicts.* I'm modeling version 3 of my Nettie bodysuit changes here feel like it's the perfect version for me.  In v3 the front neckline back to it's original drafted position, having been raised in v2. The Lady skater armhole I'd subbed in seemed a bit large so I took out 1/2" of ease.  To make the original Nettie sleeve fit the new armhole, I split the entire pattern down the center and added 1/2" of additional width. Think I needed the extra width for my upper arm as well. The sleeve now fits snuggly but does not ride up. Hooray.  

Even with my waistband changes I still finished this skirt in time to wear it to the dentist. Because in your late 30's getting good news about your gum health is a reason for celebration.  Don't tell them about the cake I had afterwards. That's our little secret.
Nettie bodysuit in Bamboo
Burda 127 from Issue 1/2008 in stretch cotton sateen
Luxulite mini cherry brooch
Miss L fire Cherry Pop sandals
Besame Lipstick colors Red Velvet over Besame Red

21 comments:

  1. I adore this entire look!! You are stunning. The skirt was well worth the un-sewing you had to do.

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  2. Heather you really and truly rock a pencil skirt! I am the same with straight waistbands. They just stick out from my curves. We are curves - no straight lines here 😜

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  3. You know, it's rather comforting to hear about past-you not quite understanding fitting problems and just ignoring them! There's hope for the rest of us! :)
    I really like this outfit - I think it's the perfect reflection of your personal style!

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  4. You look like a mega-babe in this!!!

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  5. I'm with Gillian - I love hearing about Past-Heather not knowing or caring and how present day Heather not only fixes it - but shares it. I really, really need to go read the curved waistband and put it into effect. This is a great outfit. So glad you took the time to fix it. g

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  6. I too, like hearing about past Heather ignoring fitting problems - sounds like my current Heather, so hopefully I will evolve into a fitting genius too! Love this outfit and I have decided I need to get on the Nettie bandwagon stat!

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  7. girl, you are looking fine! love the red lipped pencil skirt! just think-- it would have been so plain had it fit in the first place. silver linings, right? nice work!

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  8. love it - you got a great fit! and those shoes....

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  9. Great save, Heather!

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  10. Thank you Margo. I admit that I'm tempted to make more brightly colored pencil skirts after seeing the pictures. I just might yet. :)

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  11. You know he would be making faces at people and drawing even more attention to my butt. Better he ride in the purse. :)

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  12. Thanks Maeve. It's true, you shouldn't try to put straight waistbands around curvy people. Funny how long it took me to figure that out. :)

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  13. There is hope! Too bad I can't download my personal fitting knowledge into your brain Matrix style.


    Funny that you should say this outfit is a perfect reflection of my personal style. I feel really comfortable in it and it has my 3 favorite colors. Probably is the perfect encapsulation. :)

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  14. Wooo Hooo! I'd wink at you if you wolf whistled from the corner. Heyyyyy Baaaby!

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  15. Red and me have an understanding. Soon it will seize control of my closet and then do who know what. Hopefully nothing evil. ;)


    PS. Got you also got the post dentist = cake memo. Moar cake.

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  16. I'm glad you guys liked that. It does seem that in your 20's you can get away with ill fitting clothing. Or maybe you just don't know any better.


    The flip side of knowing better is then you have to fix your old mistake. LOL. But I'm glad I did in the end.

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  17. You can do it Heather! I started with "Fit for Real people" and still find that to be the most helpful book. Craftsy's really stepped up to the plate with all those fitting classes too. I kind of wish that was around when I was learning.


    Wooo Hooo Nettie bandwagon. I'm adding you to my conversion card now. :)

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  18. Thank you Lisa. You're right, it would have been too plain. Ripping out that original waist band was the right choice in the long run. Even Froggie agrees.

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  19. Thanks Jo. Those shoes might have sparked the desire to sew a red pencil skirt. I'm trying to have as money outfits that go with them as possible. :)

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  20. Thanks Maris. The sewing goddess was kind this time. :)

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  21. I always eat after going to the dentist too!

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