Apr 9, 2014

Sew Sexy? Or Sew Hard to Wear?

Things are heating up in the Sew Sexy Sewalong challenge with Sown Brooklyn's ab-baring two-piece outfit in houndstooth. (Have you seen it? I love it). I don't actually have any clue when this sewalong wraps, so I'm posting my entry immediately lest I miss the deadline. So, I present to you a sheer striped Scout tee, made from pieced organza and cotton with a back in solid black shirting. Yes, that is a one-inch section of my midriff showing. Feast your eyes: 


That face I am making is in response to my photographer/husband, who is saying to me: "Why are you standing like that with your toes together?"

"This is how sexy women stand these days!"

"Pigeon toed? You look like you're hunching."

If looks could kill:



Here, again, is the inspiration for my top, in a much more demure white-on-white stripe:



I used the Scout Tee pattern because it has good bones: I've made it before so I know the neckline (which I dropped) is flattering; the side seams are positioned properly; the hemline is perfect; and the ease is enough to create the casual shape that I hoped would contrast the sheer fabric I was using.

I created the striped piecing by cutting wide strips of both fabrics, and then sewing them together. I then pressed and topstitched:


I then cut the front pattern piece out, taking care to place a non-see-through stripe across the bust:



I modified the back piece of the Scout Tee pattern to create an overlapped open back. Unfortunately, in this stiffish shirting it looks a little like a goth hospital gown:



Though I feel like this was a pretty successful experiment, I'm not sure the sexy factor is high enough. It is see-through in places...but the overall shape is pretty boxy. (That was purposeful; I thought it would be kind of mod/sexy.) I don't exactly look thrilled, do I?


Though sheer fabrics aren't likely to make their way to the top of my sewing pile again soon, I will definitely attempt making my own stripes once more. I really loved how easy it was to create a bold, graphic look with just a few scraps of fabric. It's definitely a fun way to make a tried-and-true pattern all-new again.

Have you sewed with sheer fabric before? How do you (pigeon) toe the line between sexy and trashy?

16 comments:

  1. my husband says the same thing when i pigeon toe in pics - but hey the models do it all the time.
    Ive never sewn with sheer fabric but have seen some fuller skirts lately where the bottom half or so is sheer and it looks really cool. i think your shirt is great.

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    1. THANK YOU! That's exactly what I was going for when he harshed my vibe.

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  2. that's the way sexy is standing these days-- HAA!!! ruggy personally loathes the cross your legs over each other and try not to fall pose.

    the shirt is way fun. and fun is ever so sexy. i keep working with sheers as full length dresses and refusing to line them, AT ALL, and then wondering why i did that...

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    1. You get bored with standing with one hand on hip sometimes, you know? Where are these sheer full-length dresses? Want to see!

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  3. Haha, my husband is a critic like that, too! "Why are you standing like that? What's that face you're making? It doesn't look cute when you do that thing with your elbows" AND SO ON. I found it highly satisfying to turn the camera on him and give him all kinds of crazy directives when he modeled a sweater for the blog. :)

    I've never tried sheer woven fabric (I've used some burnout jersey that was super sheer, but not the same). I like the effect a lot, although I'm not sure I would wear it that much. I like the proportion of sheer to opaque that you used- it really works!

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    1. Yeah, I'm not sure I will wear it alot, but when I do it will be memorable at least!

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  4. I feel like sexy is choosing one thing to reveal. Go low-cut with cleavage or back, show off your legs with something short, reveal bits of skin with cut-outs or sheer panels, bare your belly in a crop top, or wear something so tight and/or slinky that it reveals your every curve, and you've got sexy. Choosing two revealing options in the same outfit can go one way or the other, depending on how extreme your choices are, but three or more and I think you've crossed the line from sexy to trashy. But everyone has their own opinions, and I'm sure other people will disagree with me there.

    I love your mix of sheer and opaque, by the way. Totally sexy. :)

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    1. Totally agree! Pick one feature and let it hang out — while keeping the rest pretty covered up.

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  5. I quite like your Scout hack -- that diy striping, I need to copy... And I think the band around the sleeves pulls it together nicely.

    Oh man, hubby photographers... mine is always giving really specific, actionable feedback like "why are you making that face" or "fix the thing in the back" or "do that thing you did that one time" ... half of my pics always end up glowering at him, HA!

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    1. At least glowering can look kind of sexy, right?

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    2. Somehow on me it just looks psychotic. OTOH, many runway models do embrace the sociopath look...

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  6. Love this!!! It's fun and unexpected and the fabric combo is perfect!

    I kind of wish Phin would tell me how to stand or not.... or to tuck in my bra straps if they are poking out... or that a tag is showing... or that a long dangley necklace has shifted to one side thus framing one of my boobs... Alas, I never find those things out until after the photo shoot. LOL I guess the grass is always greener.

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    1. Hahaha yes! THAT kind of input I could totally get behind... :)

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  7. I like the polka dots and stripes mashup -- especially the sleeve hems. Perfect matching! I also really like the boxy look. Makes it look more balanced to me.

    I used some sheer fabric for my Sew Sexy skirt, which still needs photographing (woops) and it was definitely a challenge. I think I used more pins in that one project than I normally use in a half-dozen projects together!

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  8. Oh man don't get me started on the pigeon toed stance. It's a pet peeve of mine. I'm sorry but all I see is a shy 3 year old, not a gorgeous, sexy, confident woman when I see that pose. It drives me mad! I know all the so-called cool kids are doing it, but not me! I love the mix of opaque and sheer you've created. I agree with the other commenters that say sexy is focussing on one thing to play up. I also think sexy happens when you are totally comfortable in your own skin and clothes, whatever you happen to be wearing :)

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  9. Love this!!! As I've already said ;-)

    And my hubby doesn't care for the crossed leg posed Oona mentioned. But his FAVE, and the one I hate most, is the both-hands-on-hips pose. His idea of sassy model work, I guess. LOL

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