Monday, March 7, 2011

My Purple Parfait...

I've been sewing up the Colette pattern 'Parfait' for the Sew Weekly theme last week and I decided to make it into a 40's inspired pinafore.  Usually when I think of pinafores I think of autumn...but they would be perfectly lovely for spring as well (especially if you live in cooler climates)!

Here's some photos:

I made it out of a lightweight purple curduroy that I've had forever.  Nathalie asked about fitting this pattern.  You may have heard that the bust sizes run a bit large on this pattern.  Gertie does a great small bust adjustment or SBA tutorial for this very pattern.  In the end I didn't do an SBA because I knew that I wanted to wear this as a pinafore and needed a bit more space to wear some blouses underneath.  However, if I were to do it again, I might do a slight SBA anyways to take out some of the extra fabric on the sides.
This was my first time ever working with a modern pattern!!  The pattern instructions were fairly easy to understand but I did get confused at one point because they have the pattern piece, the lining and the interfacing and attach it all at once....I'm used to vintage patterns that 1) don't talk about interfacing at all, and 2) only mention other facings as an aside (i.e. 'attach facing' or 'make a bias facing') and 3) only give lining instructions if it is a coat or cape or jacket.

I tried out a new pincurl styling following inspiration from Sailing Over a Cardboard Sea who did a pincurl set to replicate Lucille Ball's hairstyle.  Mine is less Lucille Ball (I don't actually have bangs--so the curls were pretty long) but it is definitely 40's inspired:

I paired my new pinafore with my 1943 blouse.  I used some nice vintage looking buttons but I may go back and put self-covered buttons using the corduroy fabric.  What do you think?

One of my favorite parts of this pattern is the pockets.  They are so adorable and usable!  I think I might use the pockets on other outfits as well:

Have you sewn up the parfait pattern?  Or have you made a pinafore?  Do send me a link!!


Happy March! It's hard to believe it's that time of year already!!
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31 comments

  1. I love the pinafore, it's amazing!! Your hair looks great too.
    From Carys of La Ville Inconnue

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  2. I think this looks lovely! I understand about the buttons, and I think self-fabric would look great. I made this pattern (pre-blog so no pics sorry!) in a dark grey wool/linen blend. I wanted to use some really standout great buttons but in the end chose something very understated. Maybe it's that the pattern itself makes such a statement, it's just too much to 'overdress' it with statement buttons?

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  3. That is very sweet outfit! I really like your hair, very pretty :)

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  4. Debi, this is such a cute little number...I love it! Your hair style is gorgeous too!

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  6. "Parfait? Everybody loves parfait..."

    You look exceptionally cute in this one. Well done, sweetiepie.

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  7. Ooh love the pinafore, great colour :)

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  8. I love this whole look, it's so adorable! When I reach the 40's in the sewing throughout the decades challenge I am definitely making a pinafore, it will be perfect for fall in oz and like you said spring also, two in one! Yay!

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  9. This is so cute, I love the little pocket and the color, sweet! I thought of you this week while making my 50's dress, I made the collar pink because you used different colors on your collars and cuffs of your first dress and they looked great! thanks for your blog!

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  10. awwwwww... is that a mr. happy sewing place piping up??

    Purple is SO your color! I love seeing this with the proper blouse pinafore look. I tried mine with a turtleneck under but didn't take it as far as a blouse - it looks so great on you! The bustline looks really nice, even with no SBA, but I know what you're talking about with the extra width at the side - I've noticed that on a LOT of the parfaits and went through some extra trouble to make sure it wasn't on mine! I'm also so pleased to see the pockets - they ARE super adorable, but I've noticed a lot of people leave them off (me included!)

    I vote for self-fabric buttons. I made a lightweight cord parfait and found some awesome vintage buttons, but once it's back in my possession (it's a sample in a shop right now) I think I'll make some self-fabric buttons for mine, too.

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  11. Thank you so much Debi! If it runs on the big side then it's probably a good pattern for me. I often find with a defined below the bust line seam that it creeps up and sits halfway across my chest because the bust allowance isn't deep enough, even with the right kind of perk'em up high foundation garments... And because I don't have a dressform, it's a real pain to try and adjust the pattern pieces on myself. I shall definitely be giving this one a go now (as soon as I've finished my Crepe!).

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  12. I really like it! The colour is great and the shape of the top is really lovely, its got drama! Although I like your buttons I'd like to see the self cover ones, let all that perfect shaping make the statement! Love the pin curls too, how long did that take?

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  13. It's absolutely darling and I love the color! I'm glad to see it made up as a pinafore as it's one of the options talked about in the pattern and one I've haven't seen done. It really turned out just fabulous! Very sweet interpretation!

    xoxo,
    Sunni

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  14. I love your pinafore! The color is stunning and looks fantastic on you!

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  15. I love this, and it looks so great with your blouse! It definitely does have a nice 1940s pinafore feel, and what a great idea to use corduroy. I wouldn't even have thought of it. I like the buttons you've chosen but I do think fabric-covered ones would be lovely!

    Your hair looks great, too. The whole shebang is fantastic. :)

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  16. Darling! I have been eying that pattern. Looks perfect on you!
    Darling hair, too :)

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  17. Oh wow, this is cool! I love the corduroy and the colour even more! Lush :o) I have this pattern and was thinking of making it out of a twill or even denim but now I wanna make one in corduroy, now!

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  18. That color is perfect for you! I am a purple hater usually, but this is a great shade.

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  19. Dear. Debi,

    Gosh,you look amazing ! You've such a wonderful talent with picking exactly the perfect fabric with fantastic patterns and of course a true sewing artisan. The hair soft and subtly sexy.
    ~Heart,friend
    Elise xo

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  20. What a gorgeous colour! I love how you've styled this. Your hair looks stunning too xx

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  21. I made one out of blueberry colored linen and I've worn it constantly all summer. I used a half circle skirt instead of the gored one.

    I like yours! It looks so pretty, and I can't believe it's your first modern pattern. You cut your teeth on the "hard" patterns.

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  22. What a look! I think you've captured the essence of those 50s pinafores you were showing off. It's a lovely colour & the pockets are lovely

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  23. Looks perfect on you! Without doubt, purple is a wonderful color on you, and you got another look 40s. Adorable!

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  24. OMG! I'm loving that pinafore! It's so cute and it looks amazing on you! I'm definitely rethinking of buying the parfait!

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  25. Your parfait is lovely! The color works so well with the fabric and pattern.

    Great job on the pincurls, too.

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  26. Love love love the colour - really gorgeous. Great job on the fit too!

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  27. Debi,

    I love the idea of making the parfait into a pinafore. Pinafores are so comfortable and practical (layer ability) to wear. They haven't been in style for quite awhile and I hope you have started a trend! Yours is lovely.

    Lisa

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  28. Love pinafore, love purple, love corduroy ... that's just perfect! You look great in that outfit and I am always admiring your hairdos.

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  29. I can't believe I missed this! Such lovely photographs and the color and cut of the pinafore is just so amazing on you!
    I love how your hair turned out, so pretty!
    Well done!

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I read each and every comment--thank you so much!

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