Saturday 13 December 2014

A Tale of Two Twinsets .

THE GOOD 



Using a combination of the Style Arc Abby Cardy and Kwik Sew 2965 and a cream lace knit .
I`ve made the Abby Cardy before but the top was a new sew. I was wearing this set to work a little while ago and someone commented that they hadn`t seen a twin set for years !  Well I suppose they haven`t been in fashion what since the 50s ? Another great reason to sew - you can wear what you want and not be dictated to by a higher fashion authority .





THE BAD AND THE UGLY 




This twinset was made using Vogue 8559 a Marcy Tilton pattern. I used a lovely slubby capuccino coloured knit but as there was not enough to make both pieces I had to use a remnant of a spotty knit. I have only worn this twice since making this a year ago ! Once when I had finished sewing it and for the photos.




The cream twin set works I think because both garments are made from the same fabric , the cream suits me and both garments are a flattering length.
The brown twinset fails on so many levels. I only had one metre of the  brown knit ( but the fabric was extra wide - at 200cm !) and was just trying to do too much with  too little  . The colour is not so complimentary and the cardigan is just too short and finishes where the widest part of me starts . I could not find a suitable trim so I used a dark brown lace ( which again is lovely ) which was too stiff . Also the spotty contrast tank  is just too much . It`s a pity because the brown knit is actually quite good and every image I have seen of this pattern made up looks great .

I love twinsets as part of my wardrobe because they really do reduce dressing thinking time in the mornings. Each time I wear them it saves precious seconds ( and as you get older those seconds get more precious !)

Happy Sewing Janine.

8 comments:

  1. I don't think you have a fail here, I think you have a success that needs a little modification.
    I wonder if the spotty contrast is too much high contrast for you – what would you think about dipping the top into a tea-bag bath dye to tone it down a little bit.
    I think the lace distorts the back – do you have any more of the fabric you used on the fronts and neck and use that instead of the lace. Or no edging at all.
    Vancouver Barbara

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  3. Thanks for your suggestions. I will definitely remove the lace but there is no fabric left to use as a trim so I will have to try something else but it needs to be soft. I have always wanted to try tea dying so I will have a go at that .After all I have nothing to lose and I do really like the slubby brown knit.

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    1. Take a look at Marcy Tilton's website. One of her staff, I believe, made the same little jacket and used a very thin, sheer contrasting fabric almost as a peplum. It really looks delightful. It might work for your coffee jacket too though it would make the back longer.
      Let us know your solution(s)!
      Vancouver Barbara

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  4. Agree, the ivory twin set is a winner - and much more classic than the coffee set. I think separating these pieces would be a good idea - each piece is lovely. The cardigan may work better over a summer dress where the finishing line is not so important. The top may get a new partner one day- and you may have something already around. Agree that the lace could come off and something softer in its place would look great.

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  5. I am also a big fan of the ivory one. The twinset looks great on you. The Abby cardi is one of my favourites and a staple in my wardrobe.

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  6. I like both sets on you. The brown looks better from the front than the back.

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  7. I love the ivory set and think the coffee set is worth fiddling with. I also had difficulty with the cardi in that pattern, but the shell is a favorite of mine.

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