Reflections on the One Week, One Pattern Challenge

I had a great time participating in Tilly's One Week, One Pattern challenge!  The goal of the week was to take one tried and true (TNT) pattern that you've made and wear different iterations of it all week long.  I used Simplicity 3688, a reissued Simplicity pattern from 1941 as my challenge pattern.  I've now made up 3 pair of trousers from this pattern.  Here's a little recap of my trouser styling for the week:

Some thoughts on the pattern and my various iterations:

• This pattern is very versatile--I see it as a canvas of sorts that can be styled in many different ways.  While the trousers are high-waisted you can easily style it to highlight this feature or wear it with sweaters or shirts that aren't tucked in.
• This pattern is really easy to sew up and is one of the few patterns I haven't had to make any alterations to (this is probably why it's a TNT).  The straight and slightly flared legs suit my body type really well.  Oddly, I'm also short-waisted but this pattern works really well for me.  
• The first time I sewed up this pattern, I had a horrible time figuring out how it actually attached together.  I think I've sewn or pinned the pant legs wrong (either the wrong legs to each other or inside out..) on every single pair I've sewn!    Hopefully with version four (which I'm working on at the moment), I'll finally get it right the first time.
• Somehow in the process of making several pairs of trousers, I have misplaced my pattern directions!  So, I made pair three without directions.  I attached the waistband first and did the zipper second (which the pattern, If I recall, has it the other way around).  It was a bit more fiddly this way but they still turned out fine.
• For the first two pairs I made a lapped zipper (in the first Navy pair, the zipper is on the right side, on the second and third pairs the zipper is on the left--I think I like right side better even though it's backwards), for the last pair I inserted a handpicked zipper.  I definitely like the lapped zipper best on these trousers.
• For some reason, I think I need to insert a zipper guard on pair two (my green trousers) as the zipper tends to rub against my skin throughout the day.  Might be because that is the only pair that I used a modern zipper in (funny, eh?).
• For my new pair (black trousers), I used a slightly shorter zipper as it was all I had in my stash.  Not such a great idea and I have to do a bit of a shimmy dance to get them on! Since that is pair that has the handpicked zipper, I may go back and re-insert a longer zipper.

 Some reflections on OWOP:

• I really enjoyed this challenge.  I already wear my me-made trousers at least weekly, so this week was a great opportunity to try out different styles.
• I love being able to be able to wear retro inspired looks one day and modern looks the next.  These trousers are perfect for spanning many decades!
• One of my favourite parts of the week was trying out different hairstyles.  I usually set my hair overnight in pin curls at least once a week.  My hair is getting long now and I've been needing a change in the hairstyle routine.  So it was fun to experiment with different styles.  I plan to keep it long until after David's graduation (and the 'Gilda gown' I'm making) but then I hope to cut it a bit shorter (a little shorter than shoulder length) for the rest of the summer!

Thanks Tilly for the great challenge and thank you all for your lovely comments throughout the week.  This was a fun taster for the upcoming Me-Made-May challenge.

OWOP Day 7: My New Trousers

OWOP pattern: My new Simplicity 3688 black trousers made in a lightweight wool.  These trousers have been cut out for ages, so I am happy that OWOP week served as incentive to make them.  Black trousers go with everything and I am really happy with this pair!

Styling: I wore my trousers with my teal Pendrell blouse, my ness wedges and matching purse.  I also tried a new style for my hair (rolled in the back) and David says this is his favourite hairstyle on me!  It started coming down about halfway during the day, so I'm going to have to get clever with securing it!

What I did: Same as the other days.  It's still sunny but now it's cold again (think 52 degrees as the high...brrrr)

 

YAY for OWOP week!  I'll do a little recap tomorrow but I've really enjoyed it!

OWOP Day 6: Still Sunny

OWOP pattern: Simplicity 3688 navy blue trousers made in a lightweight wool.  First blogged about here.

Styling: I wore my trousers with a blouse that my sister gave me as a present.  The blouse has a tie belt which I sometimes use in my hair but this time I wore it around my waist.

What I did: I got to go to Glasgow for an all-day training workshop.  This amazing building behind me is the University of Glasgow!  I just love the architecture.  In many ways, Glasgow reminds me of New York City--a mish mash of different time periods and architectural styles.  It definitely is a beautiful city and it doesn't hurt that it looks great in the sunshine :)

OWOP Days 4 and 5

OWOP Day Four: Zou Bisou Bisou

OWOP pattern: Simplicity 3688 navy blue trousers made in a lightweight wool.  First blogged about here.  The name for this OWOP day comes from the fact that I can't get this song out of my head!  Anyone else out there completely obsessed with it?

Styling: I wore my trousers with my most recent Betty Draper blouse I made from a 1950's Maudella pattern that was a gift from MrsC.  I've been dying to try out rolled bangs/fringe for some time.  When I came across Esme's tutorial, I knew I had to try it.  So this is my first go!  I really like it!!  I still need some practice securing it as well as how to make sure the hair rat is fully covered.

What I did:  same as day three.


OWOP Day Five: Celebration!

OWOP pattern: Simplicity 3688 dark green trousers made in a lightweight suiting material.  First blogged about here.

Styling: I wore my green trousers with my me-made 1940's sequined blouse (I LOVE this blouse) and my new brown 1940's shoes that I won in a giveaway from Q's Daydream Vintage (a gift certificate to Wildfeld Hall Vintage...woot! woot!).

What I did:
Working like days three and four but the difference is that today included the BEST NEWS EVER.  I received the signed agreement for a major research grant I had applied for! YAY! Secure jobs are always good! David and I celebrated with some vino ;-)

OWOP Day 3: Sunshine Galore!

OWOP pattern: Simplicity 3688 dark green trousers made in a lightweight suiting material.  First blogged about here.  These trousers are perfect for warmer spring days.

Styling: I wore my green trousers with my very first me-made garment, a blouse from a 1942 Du Barry pattern, my favourite black cardigan and my Ness pink tartan wedge shoes. 

What I did: I went to work and then went out at lunchtime to enjoy the absolutely BEAUTIFUL day!  My boss (who is Scottish) says that she doesn't remember ever having such a lovely sunny and warm day in March. Ever.  It was almost 70 degrees (20 degrees Celsius)--that's like our summer weather!

Here's to many more sunny days!

OWOP Days 1 and 2

It's the 'One Week One Pattern' (OWOP) challenge being hosted by Tilly who blogs over at Tilly and the Buttons.  The idea is to take a tried n' true pattern that you've made several times and wear those items for one entire week!

One of my tried n' true patterns is Simplicity 3688 a reissued Simplicity pattern for trousers, jacket, blouse and skirt from 1941:

 It will be fun to get creative with styling my trousers throughout the week.  So far, I only have two pairs but I'm hoping I can sew up one if not two more before the week is through!

OWOP Day One: A Little Bit Fancy

OWOP pattern: Simplicity 3688 navy blue trousers made in a lightweight wool.  First blogged about here.

Styling: I wore my trousers with a blouse I made from Wearing History's 1934 pattern called 'Manhattan Melodrama' (originally a gown pattern that I made into separates).  Made last February for Valentine's Day.  I accessorised with a vintage navy handbag.

What I did: David and I went out in the evening with his boss and some of his colleagues down in Portobello (which is right on the beach).  It was really, really foggy during the day (and yes, I did wear a coat--but I was glad I was wearing the Manhattan Melodrama blouse because the restaurant was really warm!)


OWOP Day Two: A Groovy Spring 

OWOP pattern: Simplicity 3688 dark green trousers made in a lightweight suiting material.  First blogged about here.

Styling: I wore my green trousers with my pillowcase faux wrap blouse and my Ness pink tartan wedge shoes.  Instead of tying the belt around the blouse, I wore it in my hair and tried to do a sort of 60's vibed hairstyle.

What I did: Not a whole lot!  It was definitely a lazy Sunday with some time spent outside and some time spent sewing!

Are you participating in OWOP?