Leopard, mustard, and pink/purple

23 comments
 
One of my life mottos is "when in doubt go with leopard print." I think leopard goes with stripes, flowers, polka dots, plain fabric, basically everything. You can dress it up for an Old Hollywood glam look or dress it down with a t-shirt. I love leopard print in case you couldn't tell ;) I think the next step in my obsession will be to have some spots tattooed on me. Not joking.


Ok, ok, let's back up. According to Funki Fabrics (where this fabric is from) this is technically "panther." It's a panther velvet that I will probably continue to call leopard because I'm stubborn/delusional/annoying? Anyway, I think that Funki Fabrics markets themselves as mostly dance and swimwear, however their fabric can definitely be sewn into other garments. Speaking of which, did you see Tasha's fun dress?  Funki Fabrics was kind enough to give me two yards of this leopard panther fabric and I wanted to go Tasha's route and show you that you aren't limited to sew active wear garments just because that is what is primarily made with them. Make what you want!


This fabric pairs perfectly with the Colette Patterns Mabel skirt. Man, when I bought that pattern I had no idea what I was in for. I think this is my fifth version of the skirt and I have plans on sewing more. Each and every time I make version three. One would think that I'd want to branch out and try a different style, but if it's not broke... right?


The blouse is the Thread Theory Camas blouse. It is a pdf pattern and normally this is where I would insert some complaint or rant about why I hate pdf patterns, but this one went together fine, so I'll keep my mouth shut today. Sewing went fine too until I got to the placket. Don't mind me and my placket sewn on the wrong way :/ I realized it after grading, clipping, and and stitching down both sides and finding that I didn't have any extra fabric to redo it. To compensate for the weirdness I had to move the buttons up a bit. It looks off, but I'll probably still wear it. I'm going to make the pattern again, but try making it correctly.


The fabric colors are fun though! They bring me back to the days of Myspace. Remember Myspace? I remember customizing my page into this color combo and also making my top eight into a top sixteen. So cool ;) Anyway, both fabrics come from The Fabric Store in Los Angeles. Justine showed me this pretty linen knit, something I have never seen before, let alone sewed with. The mustard is a merino knit and not itchy at all! Whenever I start a sewing project I always test my stitches on scrap fabric and this time was no exception. However, the linen knit was finicky and even though the test stitches looked fine the hem looks a little wonky. The merino knit wasn't the best for the yoke, unfortunately. It is a touch too bulky where the neckline pieces come together.


The good news is that it was great for a Linden sweatshirt! Errr, sweatshirt turned t-shirt since the mustard merino is definitely not sweatshirt weight. The black sleeves are made from a cotton jersey from Mood Fabrics.  I don't have much to say about Linden since I just blogged about it a couple of weeks ago, but, yep, I like this pattern. No changes were made from the original pattern pieces other than not including the sleeve cuffs. For my first version I complained about the neckline being too big, but in this version it's not at all. I'm thinking that my ribbing must have stretched out when I was attaching it to the neckline. Womp womp.

I don't have anything particularly exciting go say about this McCalls M6360 legging pattern either. Jeeze, I'm a boring blogger! I've made it a few times now and other than taking in the waist by half an inch there haven't been any other changes. The pattern is one of those quick instant gratification sews, but the fabric is what makes the leggings special. It's the same fabric that I used on the skirt and since it's a velvet stretch it feels a little fancier than my usual everyday leggings. Is that strange to call leggings "fancy?" Fancy or not, these are going to be worn a lot! The four way stretch is comfortable enough that these could be worn to yoga, but I want to keep these as my out and about leggings :)


This is off topic, but I haven't had a chance to reply to the comments in my last post and I wanted to thank everyone for their thoughtful messages. It's a bummer that a lot of us have been in similar situations, but I got a lot of good advice from you all and for that I am very thankful. xo

23 comments :

  1. Did you get the leggings and skirt from 2m of fabric? If so that is RAD. I love the purple and leopard/chetah together (and yep, I'm a huge fan of leopard print too. And met not a small number of my friends on Myspace, back in the day!)

    I also had the exact same problem with the placket of the Camas blouse (which I haven't blogged about because, well, my dog ate it. Or at least ate big holes in it). I think I might have only basted it on but it took a while to realise that the reason it didn't fold over nicely was that I had attached the wrong side to the top!

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  2. The leopard and purple go together so well, I've got to copy this combo!

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  3. I just came here to say that, 1, I love leopard print on you. That is SO your neutral! And, 2, I seriously considered getting leopard spots tattooed on me too :) (I was reeeeeally into the Devotchkas when I was a teenager and I wanted to be like that one chick with the leopard 1/4 sleeve haha) If I was more heavily tattooed, I'd still consider it now because yaaay leopard print! :D

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  4. All these garments are so cheerful and go so well together. You're totally right - I can't explain why the leopard/panther print goes so well with the pink/purple, but it totally does! I love it. :)

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  5. These are all fantastic makes! I love the colour of your pink Camas with the leopard print what a great combo. I am starting to see a theme with the Camas blouse which is that the placket is really tricky. I wouldn't have noticed yours if you hadn't pointed it out. Your leopard leggings look awesome too!

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  6. Love these babe! Just read your last post too! So much to catch up on! xoxo

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  7. you had me at the post title. um. GIMMIE THAT SHIRT. (i realize i have no hope of stealing your wildcat wear.) that shirt looks perfection, no one would know, including, i think, sewists!


    i just read your last post too-- bummer. i stopped the handmade gift wagon after making 16 full length aprons one christmas, 80% of which were received poorly. though, i do still get a text now and then from friends who still wear & love them, which really means a lot. unfortunately it also reminds me of all the unloved ones! it's great to create for people who get it, though.

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  8. When you don leopard print it's like the stars aligning - I can breathe a sigh of relief and know that all is right with the world because Erin can rock an animal print like it's nobodies business!! Haha! Which is my round about way of saying these looks are perfect! I especially love the leopard print skirt paired with the purple cardigan - such a good combo, but that yummy merino Linden is stealing my heart too!

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  9. Love the leopard leggings! I need some :D

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  10. www.tresbienensemble.comMarch 12, 2015 at 11:34 AM

    MEOW, Kitty! :-D I love the leopard. I'm becoming more like you when it comes to patterns. When I find a good one, I make a bunch. It's better to have a closet full of clothes that I will wear than a closet full of different styles I don't wear. I'm still experimenting, but I love a good TNT

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  11. I love your leopard print motto. I feel the exact same way. Leopard print is slowly taking over my wardrobe. I love this skirt. It would look awesome with a simple white tee and sneakers or dressed up.

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  12. You look UH-MAZING in that leopard (panther?!) skirt and the purple mustard color combo is so so so flattering. Definitely a winning outfit! You better wear that all the time because dayyyuuummmmmm gurl ;) ;) :P :P

    p.s. MySpace was my first introduction to designing (and falling in love with) repeating patterns because I used to make my own page backgrounds bahah!

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  13. Love this outfit so much, that skirt is so awesome and I can see why you've sewn it up a bunch! It really flatters you and even better that it can be flattering AND easy to wear. I read this yesterday and didn't get a chance to comment until now but I'm 99.9% positive you're the reason I currently have some stretch leopard twill in my cart for capris. ;P

    (And yeah, that's totally leopard all the way!)

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  14. Erin, you've convinced me - I need more feline print in my life! I really like your skirt, but I think my favourite is the Linden & leggings ensemble :)

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  15. Leopard/panther as a neutral--love it!! And I'm just bitterly jealous that you can get merino knit locally...

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  16. Leopard!!!!! Yum! I wouldn't have thought to try that sort of "activewear" fabric as a pencil skirt but it makes perfect sense! Love the leggings, too!!!!!

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  17. You definitely know what colours suit you - you are looking super fab in that mustard and black tee with your fly leopard leggings - yowza! ^__^ Looks great with the red lipstick! :)

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  18. Anytime I see leopard out, I'm going to think of you!

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  19. I especially love the leopard print leggings!

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  20. I really love the Camas shirt and your mustard Linen. Plus, you're making me excited to keep sewing the Mabel. I've only made one and I've worn it twice, the second time being Friday. I came home from work, put my satchel down and walked across the kitchen, only to realizing something was dragging. I looked down: my skirt had slid down my legs! What the what???

    Back to the jersey. When I bought the Camas I thought it was for a woven and I've been sort of staying away from it. Buttonholes in jersey. Oh save me. How did it go, generally?

    I'm so jealous that you can walk into the Fabric Store. They keep saying they're going to make an online website and I can't wait. Their merino jersey is heaven.

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  21. You are so, so, so phenomenal. Some people would look costumey in this, but you look effortless and chic and you are perfection. Leopard print is most certainly a neutral, and it's totally your neutral! xx

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  22. Wow looking great "Tiger Girl"..............I like animal pants.

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  23. Lovely outfit thanks for sharing

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