Saturday, September 29, 2012

Project Update #3: HotPatterns Biker Babe Jacket

I've cut out the outer fabric and starting putting everything together, hooray! All the changes I've made are coming together smoothly and I'm pretty happy.

That's my angry biker babe face (and also how I feel about the collar).
The one thing that I'm really really unhappy about is the collar. I didn't make a muslin of the collar because I though, hey, its a collar, what can do wrong. Giant neck wings that extend past my shoulders is what can go wrong!!!!! Let me remind you of the picture is that is presented to the consumer of what this pattern will look like.

You see the size of that collar (easier to see in the line drawings)? It doesn't even go out past the princess seam. The real collar is 3, III, THREE times the size of that. This is why I hate Hot Patterns. I have 5 of them, I'm made three others plus this one so I think that I've had a feeling for them. While they styles are generally good and intriguing, if they aren't going to put in the time to actually make patterns that represent their visualizations or images that represent their patterns, I don't care to buy them. I don't appreciate being lied to. Also, 'close fitting' my ass. The only reason I thought that this fit earlier was because my chest is bigger than the average bear so it fit there just fine, but the waist is huge according to the measurements for anything that wants to pretend to be close fitting. Liars!

Otherwise.....
The fabric is fantastic and its going to look really really good. Just with minimal help from the pattern.

Confidential to the people who are googling "hot biker babe" and coming here: I know its happening because google tracks these things and I'm sorry, you must be very confused right now :)

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Pinterest

I caved and joined Pinterest, you can see is here or use the button to the right. I'll be using it save outfits, looks, and pieces of clothing or accessories that inspire me. Its short now and I'm trying to discerning because I've been known to go crazy with inspiration boards in the past, but it'll grow. Oh it'll grow. Enjoy!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

New New Look Patterns: Fall/Winter 2012

The New Look patterns are finally here, I wonder why they always release them significantly later than the other collections.

The good

New Look 6152

Capes are one of the most inefficient articles of clothes, your arms stick out like some fabulous T-Rex, your body turns into the shape of a fierce bell, in cold weather you get drafts up your cape, in hot weather...you are wearing a cape. There's no good time to wear a cape, which is why they are awesome! There's no point at which you can blend in wearing a cape, which is why I love 'em! People will ask you what your superpower is and the answer, my reader: "I look more fabulous in a cape than you ever could, muthahfuckah!"

New Look 6144
This main dress is perfect, the other ones I could care less about. The tiny bit of detail at the shoulders, the pleat at the neckline, and the obi belt are the perfect combination to make this dress a little bit fun and a lotta bit put together. I fell asleep last night imagining new color combinations. The first one will have a royal blue body with orange accents.

The ok patterns

New Look 6145

I love long sleeve, short dresses and I love that high collar, but I'll probably never go for this pattern. Too shapeless and referential for me. Also, I think this pattern already exists.

New Look 6141
 Ok, I'm adding this pattern, not because I think its a nice dress. Its remarkably unflattering and has a weird 5-year-old and cheerleader justaposition to it. I'm adding this in the ok group because I see where the patterns makers were going with this. Now I don't know how to fix this model flesh colored monstrosity, less stiff fabric, some other treatment on the skirt except pleating, lose the *shudder* puff sleeves? Maybe a sleeves version done in two different colors. Hey, that idea has teeth.

New Look 6148
Not a bad pattern, the contrast piece has some interest to it. Good tunic pattern.

I hate tunics because they are worn with the demon legging. Do you know how many bare butts I see on one day's worth of using public transportation in the fall due to inappropriate legging use? You would hate them too.

New Look 6143
Need another lace dress with a faux sweetheart neckline? This has been done already and better, but I don't blame this on New Look copying, I blame this on Taylor Swift. I think I'll blame more things on Taylor Swift.

New Look 6155
Bor....

New Look 6155
-ring.

Although, I gotta say. Matching the plaid like they did on this skirt really messed up the look of the ruffle. I never thought I would say that someone shouldn't have matched up a pattern.

New Look 6157

The idea of having a contrasting front and side panel to the skirt is a nice and trendy idea, but can you image putting that peplum on the long skirt? That would look horrible!

New Look 6161
Fall jam-jams! Not bad, but why is she wearing pumps? And she looks more flammable than southern California.

The bad (now this is just an opinion, if you makes one of these and love it, please don't quote me as the anti-Christ)

New Look 6151
That's some fierce lady Vulcan work wear. The stylists really should have gone whole hog and done her eyebrows right.

New Look 6150
Why is this so unflattering?!??!

New Look 6153
Need an 80's coat to cover up your black leotard? Do I have the pattern for you!

New Look 6146
This is ugly and boring and view A with the peplum was just made on Project Runway for a modern, stylish woman.

Good night and good luck.