Not Your Basic Gray Suit
12:00 AM
Sometimes the fabric comes first. I found this beautiful, lightweight Glacier Gray Heathered Stretch Suiting from Mood Fabrics.com. I knew it would be perfect for spring and that I wanted to make a suit with it.
First came the pants. I'd recently discovered DP Studio LE 302 Trouser. I'm always on the lookout for a great pants pattern that I can create over and over again and this one is pretty darn good. I needed a straight leg pattern because I wanted pants that I could wear with either heels or flats. That way I can get more mileage out of my pants.
These pants are beautifully drafted. They're high-waist with the front pockets that extend into the center front that I've grown to absolutely love!
I didn't sew the complete fly situation. I tend to skip that part a lot on trousers and only do it on jeans.
There is also one single-welt back pocket.
The pants have pintuck creases and inseam slits. This pattern was pretty good right out of the packaging. I cut the size 44, I added 3 inches to the length. This is a European pattern, so the seam allowance is 1cm. The only thing I would change next time is to create a contoured waistband. This one has a straight waist and I had very minor gaping at the center back that I quickly fixed by adding darts.
This jacket pattern has been in my pattern collection for 12 years. Since off-the-shoulder isn't going anywhere anytime soon, I thought I'd pull this jacket out. I've been seeing similar style blazers for a few months now, so that's how this one got back on my radar.
This jacket is Vogue 2893. It's been out-of-print now for many, many moons.
It's from the Donna Karan Collection Spring 2005.
I couldn't find any pictures from anyone that had actually sewn this pattern. I googled and searched for pattern reviews...nothing. The only other way I could get a glimpsed of what it looked like was from an old magazine ad.
The details of this jacket were crazy, spectacular and off-the-chain (do they still say that??)! This is why I was so drawn to it. Sometimes I want to sew something up quick, and other times I want things that will entertain me while I binge watch a complete series on Netflix.
How often do you find suiting fabric juxtaposed with athletic mesh and a corset-style laced-up back? Like never! So, I was really excited to be able to add something so interesting to my wardrobe.
Another thing that I loved is the decorative zig-zag stitching. I used the #46 on my BERNINA 350 PE. The athletic mesh was already in my stash.
I really love both of these pieces and I can't wait to break them up and wear them separately. This jacket will be so fire with a pair of black distressed jeans for a night out. And these pale gray pants are going to be worn with everything. They're the perfect neutral that my closet has been missing.
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31 comments
This. Is. Fabulous!! I always love your makes, but this is, indeed, "off the chain!!" Love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa!
DeleteAll I can say is WOW!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tasha!
DeleteErica, I do believe this outfit is one of my most favorite you've sewn - so FABULOUS! It's very flattering and very well made! Karen
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen!
DeleteThis is just a gorgeous "suit", it belongs in a magazine truly. Stunning! And might I also add BRAVE? Taking on pants with DP Studio? Yikes. I tried (desperately) to make up their Asymmetric Knit Top pattern twice and it was a no go - and the instructions? Well lets just say Marfy sings a distant song. To take on a pants pattern by them and have them come out so beautifully...well this is truly artistry at it's finest. I am in awe of your skill always Erica but with this suit, I'm a gushing fangirl :)
ReplyDeleteOne thing about pants is that I've made so many that I really don't need to rely on instructions. Just give me the pieces! Thanks so much Kathleen!
DeleteIt's a gorgeous suit and so you! But in all honesty two things about this post stood out to me - you said the word "stash" as in you have fabric in your stash and I guess I always thought that you don't have anything stashed - so wrong assumption on my part. And the second thing is the pic of you looking over shoulder with a back view is beautiful. You look beautiful in that pic and just wanted to tell you that!
ReplyDeleteI don't stash like you stash, but I always keep a small amount of basics on hand. And this mesh was leftover from a dress I made probably 3 years ago. Thank you so much Carolyn, you have always been sweet and supportive!
DeleteNobody stashes like Carolyn. 😁 This suit is so beyond fabulous. I need a new word. You look stunning.
DeleteTanya, isn’t that the truth! Thank you!
DeleteI remember this pattern. It's a really spectacular jacket and you did it justice. There is something about a 12 year old design that is still pretty cutting edge that we will not see again in Vogue. The pants have some very nice details for something that is so simple. Brava!
ReplyDeleteYou really don’t see any patterns like this anymore. Everything now is for Team Easy. Thanks Nancy!
DeleteWow!!! WHAT A CLASSIC BEAUTY? Drop MIC on this one. Oh how the details blew my mind when you posted it. I am in love with both pieces and the tailored pants fits like a glove.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marica!
DeleteErica,
ReplyDeleteAs usual, you knocked this one out of the park! You wear this so well!
Thank you Sheri!
DeleteOMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i am loving this suit! The details and crazy beautiful and you did an amazing job as usual. I might add that you are looking great as well. I can definitely see that working out is paying off. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dorothy!
DeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! Your blazer is fire!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Shamj!
DeleteWhat a knock out! The fit, colour and styling of this suit looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tammy!
DeleteThis is just stunning and special. Inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThank you Genevieve!
DeleteErica, this suit is stunning! As always, you did a wonderful job and the fit is perfect. You look GORGEOUS!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tanya!
DeleteSis, you did the damn thing on this one!! Love all of the details that went into this suit. You pulled all of the normally contrasting style details into a cohesive outfit. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThank you Eryn!
DeleteErica, this suit is so chic, sophisticated, and sexy! Gorgeous make!! I have to ask: does the jacket need a lot of adjustment during wear or does it restrict movement? I bought the pattern way back when it was in print because i loved the look but never considered it "wearable" so didn't attempt it.
ReplyDelete