Took a break from the syllabusing to do a different back-to-school prep thingie. I usually get new clothes for the first day of teaching as a little treat, and I saw this top at Loft and loved the dark peacock print (it’s also available right now in other forms, a long skirt and a dress, if you also like the print), but I’m not a big flutter-sleeve person. (Kavi liked the flutter sleeves, but she agrees that they’re not very me.)
So I spent maybe 20 minutes tonight altering this more to my taste — I cut off the flutter sleeves and rolled the hem and stitched it down, which has ended up not quite at muscle tank territory — I like it. It was also very boxy, and I like things a little more fitted, so I took in the sides a bit at chest and upper waist (curving back out at the bottom to leave room for my mama belly).
Much happier with the resulting shape. Super-easy sewing. I wish everyone was taught at least this much of basic sewing skills, as I think being able to do even this much clothing modification would make a lot of people happier with their clothing options.
Sorry for the dark before-and-after photos — evening in my basement by the mirror isn’t so bright! Please picture them with coordinating dark red fitted pants. I may need new shoes, but I can pick those up in the morning. (My sprained-in-March ankle is still a little wobbly, so all the 2-inch heels I used to wear for teaching are a little treacherous now; I think I may need to go pick up a dress shoe or sandal with a lower heel. Dark blue or black, I think.
