5 years ago
As we move into summer, I’ve been trying to focus on my most needed summer pieces and this is where these culotte shorts come in. When I initially picked out this fabric, I envisioned a completely different outfit from what I ended up with. I thought this twill floral fabric would make the perfect bottomweight fabric for overalls, but I didn’t expect it to be so drapey and lightweight. Note to self: Read the product description thoroughly before choosing fabrics online. Going back to the product description, it clearly states this fabric is lightweight and made of polyester which explains why it didn’t match the vision in my head. Although I’m really happy with what I was able to salvage from this make, I wanted to go through the process because it was definitely not a walk in the park.
First, let’s talk about the fabric. I envisioned a nice medium/heavy weight fabric that would give structure to overalls. This fabric was almost the complete opposite of what I expected, but it does have some good merits. The floral print of this fabric is at a large scale making it perfect for patterns with bigger pieces. It’s also extremely lightweight and has a great drape to it which would be great for a skirt or dress. It’s completely opaque which is nice so you don’t have to worry about lining it. Because it’s made of polyester, it’s also pretty wrinkle resistant which is always appreciated. If I’d known all these things going in, I probably wouldn’t have had such a hard time with it.
I sat on this fabric for a while trying to decide what I wanted to do with it. My overall idea was not going to work so I actually thought I’d make a dress with tiered skirt like I’d done a while back. I was even midway through making it before I realized I absolutely hated how it was turning out. I’d hacked a tank top pattern for it, having already measured and cut out all the skirt tiers. I’d already put together the tank top part and had attached one tier of the skirt before admitting that I really hated how it looked. The fabric just wasn’t fitting my vision and I was convinced I was making the fanciest nightgown ever. I just knew I wouldn’t ever wear it and that the imperfections would bother me forever more. Although I’d spent all that time gathering the skirt, I didn’t love how voluminous the fabric had gotten. I’m assuming the synthetic fabric held their structure more than I’d realized. I also didn’t love how the skirt pulled at the tank top. Every little slightly off grain cut I’d made was easily seen. After taking a break, I decided to cut my losses and start over.
I’d already cut out everything so I knew I’d have to pick a pattern that had smaller cut pieces. With that in mind, I went back to one of my go-to patterns: the Fernway Culottes from Twig and Tale. I had enough length to make the shorts version so that’s what I did. After making the switch, everything came together perfectly and I was able to finish this make off within a couple of days.
I am so glad I stopped what I had initially started. I didn’t want to make something I would never wear and that’s what ultimately made me change direction. I love what I ended up with and am really excited to make more versions of these shorts.
Thanks for reading! For more, be sure to check out my blog and find me on Instagram.
#minervabrandambassador #culottes #twigandtale #summersewing #sewingwithtwill
First, let’s talk about the fabric. I envisioned a nice medium/heavy weight fabric that would give structure to overalls. This fabric was almost the complete opposite of what I expected, but it does have some good merits. The floral print of this fabric is at a large scale making it perfect for patterns with bigger pieces. It’s also extremely lightweight and has a great drape to it which would be great for a skirt or dress. It’s completely opaque which is nice so you don’t have to worry about lining it. Because it’s made of polyester, it’s also pretty wrinkle resistant which is always appreciated. If I’d known all these things going in, I probably wouldn’t have had such a hard time with it.
I sat on this fabric for a while trying to decide what I wanted to do with it. My overall idea was not going to work so I actually thought I’d make a dress with tiered skirt like I’d done a while back. I was even midway through making it before I realized I absolutely hated how it was turning out. I’d hacked a tank top pattern for it, having already measured and cut out all the skirt tiers. I’d already put together the tank top part and had attached one tier of the skirt before admitting that I really hated how it looked. The fabric just wasn’t fitting my vision and I was convinced I was making the fanciest nightgown ever. I just knew I wouldn’t ever wear it and that the imperfections would bother me forever more. Although I’d spent all that time gathering the skirt, I didn’t love how voluminous the fabric had gotten. I’m assuming the synthetic fabric held their structure more than I’d realized. I also didn’t love how the skirt pulled at the tank top. Every little slightly off grain cut I’d made was easily seen. After taking a break, I decided to cut my losses and start over.
I’d already cut out everything so I knew I’d have to pick a pattern that had smaller cut pieces. With that in mind, I went back to one of my go-to patterns: the Fernway Culottes from Twig and Tale. I had enough length to make the shorts version so that’s what I did. After making the switch, everything came together perfectly and I was able to finish this make off within a couple of days.
I am so glad I stopped what I had initially started. I didn’t want to make something I would never wear and that’s what ultimately made me change direction. I love what I ended up with and am really excited to make more versions of these shorts.
Thanks for reading! For more, be sure to check out my blog and find me on Instagram.
#minervabrandambassador #culottes #twigandtale #summersewing #sewingwithtwill