Thursday 5 April 2012

Violet … and yellow

I made my first Colette Violet blouse last year and was reasonably pleased with it - it was a bit wide, but I only wore it tucked in so it didn't matter - or so I thought. Then I saw Lauren's fitted version, then Joanne's, then Winnie's and I suddenly had an urgent need to wear mine untucked too. Enter two pairs of giant darts: two at the front and two at the back. Thanks Lauren for that tip, I can now wear it untucked without looking six months pregnant.

With my next Violet, I worked out how much I'd taken in the first one by and transferred the measurements to the pattern, cutting out a size smaller for good measure.  The result?  Well, I'm about 90% pleased with it.  
There was still too much fullness in the back, but nothing a giant vertical pleat couldn't sort out (ahem).  There's not much more to say about it really except that it's a sweet looking blouse which will work with lots of my bottom halves.  And it looks fine untucked... 

I couldn't resist adding one with a loony face

.... and tucked in.

So, on to the fabric.  It's almost a year since I bought this Liberty cotton lawn, designed by author Lauren Child (of Charlie and Lola fame).  

I love the colour combination and the yellow centres of the flowers gave me an opportunity to experiment with my new colour obsession.  I've been hankering after making something yellow for a while now, and I'm slowly building up an Pinterest board of yellow-inspired things. But I'm still pretty nervous about wearing it.  It's probably to do with my colouring and hair - I'm worried I'll look like a bowl of custard.  A pop of yellow in the fabric and buttons is my first baby step towards a full on yellow-fest and I quite like it.

I'm curious to know what you all think?  Please don't feel you have to be polite - if you really think yellow would be a no-no for me, declare it now!  I'm too long in the tooth to take offence, and I'd much rather know if it's a tragic mistake before I shell out on yellow fabric.  I can always play with yellow accessories if it's never to be.

In other news, I had the pleasure of taking both boys for a dental check-up today.  As with all these things, the reality was far less stressful than I was anticipating (although an autistic child with a particular aversion to drills isn't the best starting point).  They've both had their rewards for being good and brave, so I'm going to get mine on Saturday.  I'm off to Walthamstow market for a blogger meet up and fabric swap organised by Claire of Sew Incidentally.  I've never been to Walthamstow market before and I can't wait!  There's some serious fabric spending money burning a hole in my pocket…

Happy Easter. x 

43 comments:

  1. Following this with interest - I'm scared of yellow too.

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  2. Like your approach of trying out yellow with red and blue (as I get the impression that latter two are colours you may like a little).

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  3. I can't believe you've never been to Walthamstow market! I had it in my head that you had. Probably because I assume everyone makes E17 their mecca!!!! (I'm totally over selling it now. It's just a place in London with a market.) Anyway, anyway. 'I'm worried I'll look like a big bowl of custard.' This may be one of my favourite ever lines from a blog post! Hilarious. What about colour blocking as a way of wearing yellow. Something like a gathered yellow skirt with a different coloured top? I think just not having solid yellow up close to your pretty blonde hair would stop you looking like custard! Or a yellow and white print skirt. I'm absolutely sure there's something you could do, it's just thinking about what and how.

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    1. I think a yellow skirt might be the logical next step. X

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  4. Yellow is a hard color to pull off - I loooove it, but like you, I fear my coloring doesn't work too well with it. So I just wear bits & pieces of yellow, instead of a whole outfit. Another trick is to make your edges/collars in a more flattering color (that compliments the yellow, obviously!) so you are still wearing yellow, but it's not right next to your face.

    With that being said, I think you would look great in the right shade of yellow! Maybe a softer, more pastel/buttery yellow? That kind of color makes me look like I straight up died, but I think it would look really lovely on you :)

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    1. I like the idea of having different coloured edges. Buttery yellow is my favourite shade of yellow, I'll have to experiment and see what it looks like up close. Thanks Lauren! X

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  5. Oh what a beeeyoootiful blouse Jane - I really love the yellow buttons and the fabric is gorgeous. I generally steer clear of yellow as a solid block, preferring to use it as an accent or a pop of colour. I guess it's just because my skin is so irish blue/white - I'd look like a premature baby chick! I would suggest that you go to shops and try on yellow things and take pics in the changing rooms? The light won't be the best but it will give you an idea of what tones work better with your colouring. Just here and there when you're out and about - not recommending wasting an entire shopping trip on only trying on yellow things! Ooh or you can swaddle yourself in lots of yellow fabrics in Walthamstow and get everyone to give you feedback!

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    1. I'll definitely be swaddled in yellow in Walthamstow! You're right, I need to try on a few different shades and see which look OK and which make me look dead! X

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  6. Very cute! Love the pops of yellow. :)
    I think I'm going to try to make my next Violet more fitted, too.

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  7. Lovely blouse - so jolly with the yellow buttons! I have been dreaming of yellow too, like others have said, it's all about the shade you choose (I hope!). I have 2 fabrics in the stash, one which may work, the other I saw yesterday and realise probably won't. I like the idea of a contrast collar though - and for me in any case I think it needs skin which has been warmed up a bit by the sun!

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  8. Lovely Violet in gorgeous fabric! How about combining yellow with other colours (like grey or white) or using as an accent, if you're scared of too much yellow? I'm hankering after yellow too, it must be the tiny bit of spring we saw before the cold weather descended again :-)

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    1. I love yellow with white or grey, they're both combinations I'm always drawn to. Yes, where's spring suddenly disappeared to?! X

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  9. Gorgeous blouse Jane, I'm loving the 'slimline' Violet's that are popping up all over the place. Very flattering and fun indeed! I'm with Lauren, I'm sure you'd be stunning in a softer tone of yellow, but I also agree that yellow can be worn away from the face to great affect. I personally stay away from it as I have 'ivory' toned skin so it's not a match made in heaven at all!!!

    I'm so excited that you're going to the blogger meet up on Saturday, I hope to get to chat to you properly this time ;o)

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    1. Me too, can't wait to see you and as you say, have a proper chance to chat this time. X

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  10. What a sweet Violet!

    I do like the yellow pops of colour with the buttons- personally I'm not a fan of wearing yellow clothing and would be especially reluctant to wear it near my face, but I think a yellow skirt (perhaps a Ginger) could look great if you found just the right shade of yellow - maybe a sunny yellow cord, if such a fabric exists!

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  11. I have about the same skin colouring as you and my hair's a little darker and I've been happily wearing a Sulphur Yellow cardie this season. I've also just made myself a Golden Yellow skirt for the summer, although I won't be wearing the two together... With brown I have to be careful as it drains the colour from my face, but yellow seems to work fine. So I say give it a go!

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    1. This is super helpful, thanks. I also look a bit drained when I wear brown so our complexions must be similar. I LOVE the idea of a sulphur yellow cardi - off to google one now! X

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  12. Your Violet is gorgeous, and I don't think it's overly yellow, the colours are lovely on you. :)

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  13. I love the print and the yellow buttons are so much fun! I love how you adjusted the fit. I've been meaning to make this blouse again in a 'shaped' version as my last one is pretty boxy. I might need to just take that one in as well so I actually wear it.

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  14. Cute violet! When it comes to yellow I know what you mean. I'm the same with orange or red because of my colouring. But as other peops have suggested a)depends on the shade b)a print could be better than a block colour and c) a skirt could be the perfect next "baby step" as it wouldn't be right up close to your hair/skin and from there you could decide if you wanted to take it a step further. Watch out for greenfly though! They LOVE yellow too ;)
    Px

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    1. Thanks Portia, I'm going to start with a skirt based on what you lovely folks have advised. X

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  15. I love the blouse and with the little pops of yellow it suits you well.

    on the wearing of yellow, I think it's about finding the right shade. personally I would give it a go, when I had blonde hair I use to wearing a lemon colour but it had a white insert on the v-ncek part and was low cut (in a non exposing way haha) so maybe something with a white collar or a low neck so it's away from your face will work well. I would think about going for a fresh/mid yellow as opposed to a dark or pale yellow,.
    you won't know until you try it though so give it a go!!

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  16. I love the fabric you've used, beautiful. I had a session to find out what colours suit me, I'm blonde and very pale, my skin thinks freckles constitute a tan! Anyway, my husband decided this might actually help me get over a total aversion to clothes buying and it has helped. The lady gave me a range of colours that suit but she was clear that these rules are made to be broken (seriously, how could anybody avoid ever wearing black or white - impossible!), I just don't where 'no go' colours next to my face. i think the skirt or blouse with a different colour collar would look lovely and summery.

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  17. I love the fabric you used for your blouse! Hmm yellow...similar to you it's not a colour I tend to wear, but that doesn't mean it is a no-go area! I agree with comments above about trying yellow with other colours for example in a print...I think a yellow and white polka dot would be to die for, it is definately a spring/summer colour and just thinking of it makes me cheerful. So I say give it a try...

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  18. Think of it as looking like a radiant sunflower, not a bowl of custard :) Instinctively, I'm thinking you would suit yellows without too much of an orange cast to them - more lemon than custard. Lemon goes with your red and blue love, more into the wnter/summer palate than the autumn/spring one. There is a yellow for every complexion, and I love it too!

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    1. Yes, I think I'm more lemon than custard too, thanks Mrs C! X

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  19. I am with the others regarding the shade of yellow you wear. I would say avoid the pale shades and too loud/bright ones, and stick to the warmer, richer ones. My daughter has yellow undertones and dirty blonde hair, while my skin tone is green and hair is black. She looks fabulous in different shades of yellow, while it clashes with my skin tone and hair (reminds me of a bumble bee).

    As to your blouse, I think it looks super on you, plus the fit is perfect. I prefer it untucked, as it gives you more definition.

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  20. I love your violet blouse.Great fitting job.. and love the pop of yello.. so pretty.Happy sewing.

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  21. With yellow, I feel a little like a walking banana - very risky!

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  22. Love those buttons!
    I am having a major yellow obsession at the moment... and actually bought a metre of glow-in-the-dark fluoro sweatshirting. Yes, it WAS a mistake! But the right yellow can be wonderfully sunshiney. How about a yellow Ginger skirt? So you get to see the colour but it echoes your hair rather than blending in with it?

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  23. Thank you so much everybody for your really helpful comments. Having a blog is very useful sometimes! Based on what you've all said I think I need to work out which shade is the most flattering and then probably start with a skirt so the yellow isn't too near my face. A yellow print is all a great idea. Thanks again! X

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  24. Gorgeous combiation!! And I look forward seeing you again tomorrow.

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  25. I'm going to go completely against the grain and say 'Who's to say what colour you can or cant wear'? Who made up these rules anyway? Once upon a time you couldn't wear pink with orange or red with green, 'except with something in between'. I think people with red hair look amazing in red and I think you would look gorgeous in yellow if thats what you wanted and wore it with confidence!! I have emailed you a pic so you can see what I mean!!! x

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  26. I just love this blouse! The yellow buttons with the fabric is just lovely! I say go the yellow!

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  27. What a beautiful blouse! I love the fabric, and you're right - it looks great tucked in or worn out.

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  28. Jane, you have so many yellow suggestions that I don;t think I could add anything new! BUT the yellow buttons work very well on that very purty violet blouse. You look so cute in it- it's such lovely fabric :-)
    Sorry I am late commenting, have been away :-)

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  29. Oh love this, Jane, the print is great and the yellow buttons make it totally unique, and very you! As for wearing yellow on a larger scale, I can't tell! I think you should drape yourself in a yellow fabric during your next shopping trip and get someone to take a picture! x

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  30. That outfit looks great and loved that color combination.

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  31. Brilliant. I've finally finished my first Violet and wish it was more fitted too. Not sure I'm brave enough to put darts in mine, it's made in fine crepe fabric and I don't have a dummy to check it out on. It might just have to tuck in for now!

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  32. My daughter and sister are your style of blonde and yellow looks great. I think it would look great on you too.

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  33. I've tried yellow, and it's hard for me to find a shade that looks good with my particular complexion. My theory when it comes to colors I'm not sure about is to take a hand mirror to the fabric store with me, drape fabric in that color across my chest, and see how it looks in the mirror. I could have saved myself some horror with green if I'd started doing that years ago! No matter what, though, there should be a shade of yellow out there that works for you.

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