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!
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