March 7, 2017

Project Run and Play Week 1: Parisian Pantsuit

Welcome, Welcome! I’m so glad you have stopped in to see my creation for the first week of Project Run and Play. Let me tell you, I spent way more hours putting together this first look than I ever imagined. I can’t really go any further without giving my husband a huge shout out for playing Mr. Mom for multiple days while I’ve been in working on this project. He has been a rock-star! After you scope out my post, don’t forget to view all the makes and return to Project Run and Play to vote for your favorite week one creation.

The theme for week one was “It’s all about that…place” or possibly better understood as a creation based on/or inspired by a place you would like to visit. I opted for a European travel destination and created what I have called a Parisian Pantsuit. I wanted clean lines, pleats, and a complete look that flows together.

I started with the pants. I knew where I wanted and how I was going to get there. I mashed together several patterns along with some of my own pieces to create these trouser pants with a scalloped front yoke, pockets, and knife pleats. The scallops, pockets, and knife pleats are features of my favorite short pattern from Lil Luxe Collection. You can read all about that pattern here. I used the Sewlosophy Serendipity Trouser pattern as the base and then added all these features I love to make my final creation. I love the fit of these pants and the flat felled seam it features in the rear. I learned how to do a flat felled seam when I first sewed up these pants several years ago. The gray suiting used throughout my collection is from my local JoAnn’s. I’m always nervous ordering any kind of fabric that isn’t quilters cotton online, so I went in and pet all the fabrics before settling on this. It worked wonderfully.

For the Voile blouse I used the Lauren Pintuck Top* from Made for Mermaids. I made several alterations for my finished product. I removed the collar and the facing and finished the neckline with handmade bias tape from the same voile as the blouse. Handmade bias tape is a thousand times better than that pre-made stuff you buy in the stores. In the back of the shirt, I removed the keyhole closure and opted for a full button down placket. I love how buttons in the back add a nice surprise to any garment. Who says the back of things can’t look just as good as the front? Other features of the blouse are a gathered capped sleeve and front pin-tucks. Classic design features for pantsuit I think. The fabric and buttons for the blouse were a last minute snag from one of my local sewing spots, Let’s Sew. They have quite a collection and an online store too. I’m so glad they humored me while I spent an ungodly amount of time sifting through buttons to find the perfect fit. You can even follow them on IG here.

Up next for my look was the cape. How cute are capes?! I created the cape starting with a circle skirt as the base and some model measurements. I drew up the collar being sure to leave room for the bow to be tied in the front. The cape is lined with light pink satin I grabbed at JoAnn’s. I used the same satin for the ties as well. The pink gives the suit a nice soft look for spring innocence, which I was totally going for with this look.

Lastly, I finished off the look with the perfect ending to a Parisian inspired creation…a beret. This pattern came from Sewlosophy. I only made minor adjustments with the elastic to get a good fit. The pieces come together perfectly. This hat made me feel like maybe I should give quilting a try in the near future. It was a seam matching success.

And now for some action and funnies. Prepare for photo overload. Seriously, the photos are why you are hear anyway, right? Thanks again for stopping in to see my creation from week one!! PLEASE don’t forget to return to Project Run and Play to vote for your favorite week one creation!!