WhatIWore: I know I know, you might be thinking, dang girl, didn’t you wear dark flares in last week’s outfit post and the answer is yes. But these are different! They’re different because I made them! Myself! I’m so on this 70s kick right now and I couldn’t fit the ultra high rise I wanted available in my budget so I thought, what the heck? Let’s do this. Felix was also on a visit to his grandparents house and Adam had Bea all morning so I managed to get them done in one sitting (I had cut them out the night before).
I’m still trying to figure out the right kind of top to wear to show off the waist - paired with my chest it’s a bit of a proportional challenge. But as I said earlier this summer, I’m not going to let these tatas stop me from wearing things I like! For this outfit I picked one of my cotton eyelet tops which was enhanced by layering over the dark denim.
When: August 13, 2017
What:
Shades: Karen Walker ‘Super Duper’
Lipstick: MAC Chlii
Necklace: Global Gifts (little store here in Bloomington)
Blouse: American Eagle (from many years ago)
High Rise Flare Jean: Self Made (Pattern McCalls 7547 - read more below if you’d like details!
Boots: thrifted
Where: BBQ with the inlaws
Sewing Notes
Now some fit and sewing notes on the jeans! I love the ultra high rise - it’s about 12.5″ - higher than anything I’ve seen online. To carry on with that retro look, I used a traditional gold thread on a 11.5 oz dark 100% cotton denim that I bought at JoAnn Fabrics. Remember my old living room couch that I reupholstered (and then became my headboard?) I used the same denim there too! I thought I had leftover in storage but couldn’t find it and wanted to make use of my free weekend so just went and bought more. I bought 2 ¼ yards but I could have easily gotten away with under two (on 60″ wide fabric).
I first made a muslin mock up and determined I needed to size down (I ended up cutting a 10) and take in the knee to create more of a flare. I didn’t do a second muslin because I was just too excited to get rolling.
It took me a little under six hours from start to finish and I think would have gone smoother if I a) didn’t have bobbin tension issues on my machine b) didn’t run out of thread or have to rewind my bobbin three times and c) have to rip out and reinsert the lapped zipper. On the zipper I decided to switch to a matching navy thread instead of the gold so both sides would be more symmetrical.
After I had the jeans hemmed and complete I took some of Adam’s rough grain sandpaper, sat down and brushed where the natural whiskers of the jeans would be. I also brushed down the top of my thighs, the pocket and hem edges. Did you know most denim starts out this color and through a process of abrasion and chemical treatments it becomes the colors you see at the store! I hope this pair eventually has a worn in but dark denim look.
Fun Fact: I used to work in the apparel industry and got to see first hand how these processes are done when I traveled to our factories overseas!
My final takeaway - these are a good start! Next time I know I want to fit the thigh a little closer, especially if I work in 100% cotton. They stretched out a little too fast for my liking but I also don’t like looking stuffed into my jeans so I need to find the right in between fit. Alterations aren’t my strong suit, so if any of you reading this have some good tips on getting that back leg under the butt area (technical term) right, please help a sister out! Now that I’ve had a practice pair, I think I’ll probably buy some nice denim online and make another version but with different style front and back pockets. I also have yardage in a gorgeous rusty brown that will look sooo 70s (and I think I could knock out over the course of a couple evenings after the kids are in bed). All in all - I’m pleased!
