Folks, I think it's official: I just don't love this sweater.
Don't get me wrong. It's ok. I just don't think it's the most flattering style on me. I generally avoid sewing styles that are boxy or unfitted. Somehow, I didn't realize that's what I was knitting. Or rather, I thought that the boxiness mixed with the cute cropped length would balance my top and bottom without obscuring my waist.
But I think that the shape of the top, combined with the short sleeves that end at mid-bust height, just broaden me across the bust/shoulders/arms.
And it makes my bust seem, um, larger than in real life, I think, but not in a way that I like.
Now, it may grow on me over time. I don't know. These photos don't look awful (some of the not-used ones did look awful) and some look cute. But I'm still only so-so about it.
Anyway, I'm home for the next 10 days (hooray!) and there was actually some sewing this weekend (double hooray!) So, I hope to wrap up my McQueen jacket and maybe even sew something seasonally appropriate before I head to London for work and then the NYLON meet up! Stay tuned!
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| Sleepy suburban intersection - Main St and Greenvillage Rd |
Don't get me wrong. It's ok. I just don't think it's the most flattering style on me. I generally avoid sewing styles that are boxy or unfitted. Somehow, I didn't realize that's what I was knitting. Or rather, I thought that the boxiness mixed with the cute cropped length would balance my top and bottom without obscuring my waist.
But I think that the shape of the top, combined with the short sleeves that end at mid-bust height, just broaden me across the bust/shoulders/arms.
And it makes my bust seem, um, larger than in real life, I think, but not in a way that I like.
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| Yeah, this museum is right in the 'burb I live in. |
Anyway, I'm home for the next 10 days (hooray!) and there was actually some sewing this weekend (double hooray!) So, I hope to wrap up my McQueen jacket and maybe even sew something seasonally appropriate before I head to London for work and then the NYLON meet up! Stay tuned!
Hmmm, I see what you're saying about not being the best shape on you like this, but I love the sweater itself. Maybe if you wore it over a top that wan't quite so form-fitting (maybe with a little drape) it would flatter you a little more? We have much the same shape and I just sewed a little cropped sweater. I've worn it over a button up and I really like that look. (You can see it here: http://wardrobedysfunction.blogspot.ca/2014/04/i-love-my-cropped-sweater.html
ReplyDeleteI bet this would also look fantastic with the black camisole tucked into a high-waisted pencil skirt.
I love the looser knit of this. Great texture!
When I first began sewing, I often fell for patterns because they were modeled by someone with figures I wish I had instead of the body I have. Over time, I've gotten wiser and happier with my own figure.
ReplyDeleteNo, this doesn't mean that I dress to appear pounds thinner, inches taller or whatever. There are times that I want to appear bigger/smaller/whatever based on what I'd doing that day and how I feel. So there is still plenty of variety in my wardrobe.
I commented already but it doesn't look like it's posted (I included a link, so the internet might have eaten it), so forgive me if this is repetitive.
ReplyDeleteI see what you're saying about it being a little awkward like this but I think it might actually work really nicely with a button up shirt or something else that doesn't fit too tightly layered underneath. I just made a little cropped sweater and I have some photos on my blog that show how I styled it. It looks like we have pretty similar body types.
This might also look nice with a high-waisted pencil skirt.
I really like the open weave of this sweater. Gorgeous texture!
ooh yes! try it with your high-waisted pencil!! And if it still doesn't turn your crank...c'est la vie! I applaud your perseverance- Kimbersew
ReplyDeleteOK, I can corroborate that you do not have the shape that the sweater is giving you in those photos. I'm not saying it's a bad shape or good shape, but your breasts look larger and, given how the sleeves hang, your shoulders look broader. I'll be intrigued to see how you style this piece next. I do think it's an interesting knit, and it's "cool" but I don't know that it's figure flattering in the conventional sense.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the corroboration! Glad to know my perception of the sweater isn't in my head. It was a little surprising when I put it on and looked in the mirror.
ReplyDeleteYes - I have to approve comments with links before they go live.
ReplyDeleteOhh. See yours looks really good! I will have to give it a try with a pencil skirt. And/ or a looser top. I do live the texture too, which is part of the disappointment.
ReplyDeleteGirl, that's not your sweater. You are gorgeous. The sweater is gorgeous. But when you put the sweater on, you just, um, cancel out each other's gorgeousness. Set that sweater free! Who do you know who will be gorgeous in it?
ReplyDeleteOh noes! It looked so pretty in person! I like the straight-on shots, the shots that are from above make it seem less flattering...maybe it is because the sleeves end at the widest part of the bust, which creates the illusion of all that width. So maybe lengthen the sleeves?
ReplyDeleteI would try styling it over a maxi dress. It might give it more of a columnal silhouette, like a greek dress ( http://www.richeast.org/htwm/greeks/costume/dressing.gif ) And try playing with different colors underneath! The blackcould be too stark, making the bust area more of a focus.
Thanks for saying that, Mae. I kind of agree. No one's to blame, it just doesn't work on me.
ReplyDeleteGood suggestions. Yeah, I think the sleeve length is in part to blame. I just can't invest any more time in this annoying a project. It is a bummer since it's a pretty knit in person. It may be better on my sister.
ReplyDeleteI think those are all good suggestions. Styled differently, you might like it.
ReplyDeleteGo you for finishing this even if you weren't feeling it. I wouldn't have had the patience! I was working on a loose-fitting knit top last year (loose-fitting = already a mistake) and gave up when I tried it on and looked like a sack. I think it might've looked okay if I had tucked it in to a high-waisted skirt, but the facing pieces were giving me issues and I didn't think twice before tossing the project. Onward and upward!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure. We took a lot of photos from a lot of angles. Most of the closer up straight from the front (no angle) were just as - if not more - widening/magnifying. I couldn't even bear to post them.
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