Beignet Revealed



What was I doing?



Long ago I started working on the Beignet Skirt with a little help from my neighbor A. We got the fit fine tuned, and I cut it out of this really old denim that has a tiny floral print. (I’m pretty sure this denim has been around since TMO and the Princess were little.) Yea - it's too cutesy to wear all the time, but I wanted to try it out. The only change I made to A’s alterations was to add 2" to the length, because otherwise it wasn't really long enough for me.



So Friday I pulled it on with a sweater and my boots. It amazes me that I've been sewing for so long and yet - I still don't know what size I am. Apparently yoga will change your body, even though I haven't been doing it for long and I'm not very consistent at this point.



Back Pulled in.



Anyway - even with help, this skirt is too big. One thing that has finally been beaten into my hard head is that I look better if my clothes fit! Now I'm not talking skin tight - but 2" of ease at my waist is not a good look for me. I find that I push my stomach out when I'm standing in an effort to help keep my skirts up. Not sure why - they aren't going to slip past my hips any time soon! But - still.

In the second photo - the one on the right - I have pulled all the extra to the back of the skirt and it looks so much better! I have a lovely piece of brown brushed cotton and 12 perfect buttons - so I'll make it one more time. I love the shape, the buttons didn't gape, it was comfortable. I'll take 2" out of the front only including the sides seams - because the back fits perfectly!

However - this version - is now going in the good will pile. I won't even take the 12 buttons off it first!

Hit or Miss?

Ever since Angie posted all the photos from the Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2010 Line.  I have loved this skirt.  I needed to have one of my own.  I had a pink tweed from long ago and thought it would work.  I threw it in the washer and dryer, then I underlined it with some lavender batiste.  I added 6 inches to the length.  I lined the skirt with a green lining and added the fringe selvedge edge to the lining - but it's short enough that I'm the only one who knows it's there. 

I started with the same ol' same ol' Kwik Sew skirt that I have made at least a million times.  It works.  It's fairly full and fits my hips well.  I always feel fun, flirty and feminine when I wear skirts made from this pattern.
I finished the skirt last weekend and when I showed JB his comment was it looked like somebody's curtains.  I wore it to work on Wednesday.  I wore a cream turtleneck and for most of the day I had a light green cardi on too - but then I got hot.  The other reason for making it longer - was so that hopefully it would work with my really cute heeled wingtips.

 

So - honestly - is it a hit or a miss?  Honestly.  You won't hurt my feelings.  Truthfully - the skirt is heavy and I felt 'dumpy' and 'frumpy' all day.  JB said it was cute when I was dressed for work, but later he asked what the knitting gals had to say - they said shorten it - about 3".  So I'll try that.  

Again - I'm asking for honest opinions here - work or no?  and if not - why not?  Thankee.  

Dear Sweet Dudley Boy

My friend R made this necklace as a combo birthday / condolence gift.

It's my Sweet Dudley Boy as the angel he always was.

The head is just spot on Dudley Dog.

I love it - Thanks R.