Finished but a Fail

With the first in-person graduation looming, I set out to make a new outfit. I’d settled on a Mimi G pantsuit (also known as Simplicity 9097 or Simplicity Naaimode Magazine 50, pattern 24). I had some grey fabric in the hoard and decided to make the lapels from a contrasting fabric for some interest. My first thought for the contrast was some shiny black fabric but it was a bit much, so found some black dotted stuff. I wasn’t totally convinced and went to the fabric market in Rotterdam to look around for something better, nothing caught my eye but I did return home with 3 or 4 new lengths. I guess that’s why the hoard only expands and never seems to contract..

Anyways, settled on the fabric, I made a sort test version from some cotton-poly in the stash and determined that the size 38 I was trying to make was a bit large. I removed 6 cm from the neck edge to make the waist sit more at my natural waist and had to take in the darts in the back a bit. After cutting the pattern from the grey fabric, I had to make more alterations. The bust was a bit too big so I took in that seam. The legs were so long that even with my highest heels there was still pooling on the floor so I ended up with an 8 cm hem. I chose some smaller buttons and therefore had to put on some more than the pattern specified. The lapels and the top layer of the waist ties were cut from the contrast fabric which I think ended up looking very good.

All that said and done, I put it on with a bra that would mostly work and I was just.. not happy. The back was too low, the neck too deep, a little tight in the neck and I just felt too exposed. So up into the hoard I went, and returned with some black stretchy mesh. I cut into some sort of triangle, applied bias tape and snaps to the top and attached that to the bra to at least cover some of the cleavage. It wasn’t enough for me to feel happy. I think I might be happier if I could wear something under it, but with 30℃ weather predicted, that seemed like a bad idea.

I do really like the pockets and the fact that all the seams are finished on the overlocker before stitching them together. I think this might be the nicest looking thing I’ve made in a while. It looks so clean on the inside! The way they made the lapels is also appealing to me, with buttons only on one side of the neck edge while the other side folds over. Unfortunately, I chose to take in that bit just a little too much so now it’s not as comfortable as I would like, but perhaps some fudging with extra elastic can make that better.

For now though, it languishes in my cupboard, waiting for the day I feel brave enough to wear it out. So far, that day has not come yet..

Edited to add: It took about a year (or more) before I figured out that I could just cut the top off, hem it with some bias band and can just wear them as pants! They get worn fairly regularly now!