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Feb 4, 2012

Glitzy Halston-inspired outfit UPDATE!



Friends, it takes a certain kind of man to pull off a 1975 sequined pantsuit.  Fortunately, I am precisely that kind of man.

I'm not quite done with Simplicity 7295, my matching top and bottom ensemble, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  (Actually, it's a disco ball.)  I still need to add the sleeves, which is going to mean trimming the sleeve caps a bit and lowering the armhole.   I've been here before, fortunately.



Putting this baby together has been relatively straightforward but not without its challenges.  I think I mentioned that the "sequins" (they're really plastic stickies, like shiny Colorforms) don't lay flat folded on the diagonal and if you try pressing them they start to peel off at the corners.  There was a considerable curve in the back center seam (to create more fullness in the backside) which I had to remove so that the sequins along the seam would be vertical.



Then I created a lapped seam, which looks very clean though I may add another row of edgestitching. This way I knew that on this very visible seam none of the sequins would be folded in half.



The pants were easy.  The pattern calls for a back center zipper but there was no need for one; the fabric has sufficient stretch to just pull the pants on.  There's a simple casing with elastic inside, just like men's boxers.





I cut the jacket facings from my fashion fabric and serged them on, cutting off the 5/8" seam allowance in the process.  (As I mentioned yesterday, I couldn't fold the facing to the back because of those darn plastic sequins.)  I'll add polished cotton bias trim to the edge and cuffs, and most likely, the hem.





The two front darts on the jacket were a bit of challenge and required some experimentation.  I used a tiny stitch and trimmed the dart close to the stitching, otherwise I wouldn't be able to press it flat.  It's not perfect, but it's acceptable.





I think I'm pretty much done for today; I can only look at this fabric so long before my eyes start to ache.

Simplicity 7295 is a very fun pattern and could totally work today, imo.  It makes me think of Studio 54, Bianca Jagger, Donna Summer, and the Bee Gees.  And that woman who sings New York, New York -- what's her name again?

This stretch fabric has wonderful drape and really makes a statement -- hopefully a kind one.



Hope you're having a fun, whether you're sewing or not.

Have a great day, everybody!

29 comments:

  1. Yikes, Peter - you are braver than I with that fabric! Looks to be coming along very well - good luck! Will be waiting to see the updates!

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  2. You look ready for Studio 54. ;-)

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  3. WOW! This is going to be great! I am loving the glitz...can't wait to see the sleeves!

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  4. John Travolta, watch out! This is fabulous and it looks like you're having fun with it.

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  5. That first sentence just made my day. It sounds like it should be the opening line to a movie. A very fabulous, sewing-filled movie!

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    1. A movie in "Sensaround", so when the machine is in motion, we feel it.

      Also, a fabric store Shelley Winter's type, to brazenly offer sewing advice and rough-around-the-edges encouragement.

      This outfit deserves to be on celluloid.

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  6. It's great; it really does remind me of the good old disco days. When people dressed up to go out, and danced *together*. Great job.

    Long ago, I made four dressed (for a ladies' barbershop quartet) out of confetti dot fabric, which is very similar to your fabric except that the 'glued sequins' were all round. I think it was easier than the square, as they didn't pop away if you pressed them flat. Did gum up the needle a lot, though...

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  7. Now that Alicia mentioned it, I really want to see the movie that starts with the opening two lines of this blog and stars you!

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    1. Yes, a thousand times yes. Actually, I think they would be great opening lines for Peter and Michael's next cabaret show...

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  8. Great job Peter! I like how you think on your feet,come up with a solution and then use pics and descriptions to explain. A lot of people are learning from your journey :)

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  9. Oh yes, it's "just like mens' boxers"! Not sure about that, but otherwise it looks great!

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  10. Peter, you are *all* kinds of man. I am loving that fabric, and the wide-leg pants are perfect for it. I hope you can do a quick "see this look in motion" when you're done!

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  11. Just stunning. That outfit is just crying for a red silk scarf!

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  12. I love this outfit. It looks great on you and I think you're sure to get some raves when you wear it out on the town.
    The only thing I would change would be I think I would have made a separate casing for the pants waist, so you wouldn't have those little shiny square things against your skin. But maybe it doesn't matter. And why not just leave out the front darts?
    Have fun wearing it!

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    1. I thought about that but then the back and sides wouldn't have lined up.

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  13. There isn't a disco-ball on earth that could outshine you in that ensemble Peter! It's FABULOUS!

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  14. LOL - You are always good for a laugh!

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  15. Peter, you rock. Seriously.

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  16. I agree, the design look 100% modern. Love the look on you. Platform boots perhaps?

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  17. You are indeed the man! Absolutely 70s stacked boots with this. Looking forward to seeing it with sleeves. It is already amazing!

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  18. You are so completely awesome. I'm so happy I discovered your blog. This just made my morning!

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  19. Can't go wrong with elastic-waist sequined pants.

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  20. Are you going to wear this for the next off-Broadway production that you & Michael star in? That would be cool to see.

    Beth

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  21. OMG, that's my outfit! So, where's the gold coat that goes with it?

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  22. Love it ... absolutely love it!

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  23. Sweetheart,
    I like your humour and Joie de vivre.
    Happy sewing

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