So, it’s cut out, ready to sew.
I spent a solid hour cutting out and transferring all the pattern marks, but given how fitted this is going to be, it was definitely not optional!
This is a firm, tightly woven printed sateen. I reckon it’ll hold the shaping nicely without being droopy. I also love the print pattern, so I reckon I’d also be happy to wear it with a pair of high-waisted pants. I did have to be careful about not centring one of the big blue roses anywhere… inappropriate. Sadly, there wasn’t quite enough fabric to cut elbow-length sleeves, which I’d have preferred. Still, the cap sleeves I could achieve will be fine. The world will have to live with the sight of my biceps (not too bad) and bingo-wings (not so great)!
I still need to work out how much of/whether a front edge extension is needed as well as a facing for the fastening. Given that there’s a dart in the centre front edge and I have yet to establish if it still needs a little adjustment, I can’t cut the edge/facing yet, but I’ve cut strips that will do the job when the time comes.
Tomorrow, I have to stitch all the darts in and baste the shoulders and side seams. Only then can I see any minor adjustments that might be needed. Of course, at that point, I’d then have to unpick, adjust the pattern to match, and then reassemble. It’s a long process, but the end result is a completely personalised pattern, uniquely fitted to my shape.
This whole process is becoming increasingly interesting for me as I rediscover lost knowledge and skills: Ooooh, manipulating the grain for more ease in the fit of a tight sleeve! Hey, pivot points to help you reposition a dart! Rotating the shoulder seam further back for more ease of movement in a tight arm-scye… Well, you get the idea.
Which has made me think. The Husband is also going to need an outfit for the birthday event a few years hence. Hmmm…. sherwani or kurta? Salwar or churidar? Shall I bite the bullet and try and cut patterns for him, or shall we try and find something online?
This is fun, but it’s certainly distracting me from quilting!
talltalesfromchiconia 
This IS fun! So exciting and then we get to see you wear it! 🙂
Hopefully it’ll look as good as the other one!
I’m sure it will..you are multi-talented
Ah, get along with you!
What a lovely adventure and rediscovery! You have so many skills Kate!
I’ve had an interesting life!
That is because you have had the corage to have adventures and to embrace opportunities.
It took me long enough… but yes, I did have adventures and take chances in the end.
Oh my its going to be fabulous.
Hope so! It’ll certainly be snug!
Pretty sure there’s nothing you can’t do with fabric.
Me personally, or….? I really am fully aware of mu limitations, I just disguise them quite successfully 😉
gorgeous fabric!
Isn’t it? I couldn’t resist the remnant, despite the fact that it’s not really big enough for most garments. Perfect for this, though.
Definitely has your ‘Stiching’ juices flowing…. And I’m liking the look immensely.
Just a thought … you can adapt this top half to an a-line Churidar Top with high cut sides …. From the waistline to just above the ankles…. Something to think about for the big birthday?? 🤩 The pants for this outfit will be wide . This time you will need to buy a proper Indian print for the top ☺️
That sounds lovely too! I’ll take your advice on where to buy the ‘proper’ Indian print I need. I do like the churidar style pants rather than the wider salwar style, though… And cut on the bias, of course, for ease of movement. And the top would need longer sleeves, probably, to balance the look.
Yes the sleeves will need to be full length or three quarters.
Te style I’ve proposed goes with the wide pant and not the churidar pant… it’s like a normal pant but with wide bottoms… salwar pants have a scrunched bottom. It’s like the pants I wore when we went to dinner when you were here .
It could be a self coloured sateen top with a multicoloured pant and matching dupatta for a slightly different look ….
Hmm… I have a pair of gold-coloured wide leg pants already. If I can find a fabric that blends with that, half the outfit is already done.
There you go …. Look for a sateen saree with gold & pink in it
As for the Indian print … all you need to do is buy a saree and you have all the yardage you will need. I propose lining it for better feel to the skin
That sounds like an excellent idea!
Love the fabric. I’m sure it will be perfect.
It’s pretty… but I’m feeling a bit less comfortable about how extremely fitted this garment is going to be! Trying it on as I go, I’m finding it snug (not to the point of physical discomfort) to the extent that I feel a bit, well, exposed. Even if I get it right and the pattern works, I’m not sure I’ll proceed with it.
Trace, draw, marking darts, how exciting to revisit these skills. Lovely fabric choice, nice and bright
Well, the pattern cutting worked out but was perhaps a thought too, um, accurate! See my next post for why… The first choli is much more my style.
I love your posts. That was all white noise in the best way!
I think I probably feel similarly about your cutting/ ageing/ polishing/ texturing stuff! But I love learning, and I usually end up Googling some term I haven’t heard of, so keep it up!
I thought you’d feel the same!!