Monday, March 15, 2010

The Emma Outfit

It's done! This is the outfit inspired by one of my favorite TV characters: Emma Pillsbury of Glee. As you may recall, I wrote about my quest to recreate a particular outfit of hers here.

Here's the inspiration:

And the Gertie-fied version.

Not bad, eh? Guys, I love this outfit. (Not to toot my own horn.) The blouse was made from a 1960 pattern and the skirt is BurdaStyle's Jenny (which I've made before in black with suspenders). If I had to live with only one skirt pattern for the rest of my life, it would be this one. No joke. To get the bow version, I made the waistband a little narrower (so it came to 2" wide, to be exact). The bow pattern was easy enough to make - it's just two rectangles.

The fabric I used is the "Fancy Italian RPL" from Gorgeous Fabrics. Oh, how I love this fabric. It has a sort of crepe-like texture to it, and it's both comfy and flattering. I lined the skirt in Ambiance rayon lining, and I cut it on the bias. I read that this can be helpful if your garment fabric has some stretch to it, but it really just made the lining very hard to work with. I don't think I'll be doing that again. If you want your lining to stretch, it's easier just to buy a stretch lining, in my opinion.

Here's the lining. I stitched some lace to the bottom for extra prettiness. It's like a creamsicle!

The blouse was made from this lovely pattern, McCalls 5226.

It was kind of hard to fit, but it turned out well in the end . . . aside from the fact that the bust darts are a smidge too high. (Yes, I should have made a muslin!) I actually lined the blouse too, since the rayon I used was a little on the sheer side. I used a rayon lining matched to my skin tone, and followed these excellent instructions for quick-lining. I love how professional it looks to attach the lining to the facing. It became a sort of underlining/lining hybrid since I stitched the sleeve hems to the lining.

I love the look on my face here in this next shot. Yeah, I'm wearing an orange skirt with a bow on it. Wanna make somethin' of it?

And here you can see the skirt length better.

That's it, folks! I've also made another blouse and skirt in the meantime (both 40s-styled) which I suppose I'll photograph next weekend. (It's so hard to photograph anything during the workweek!) This week, it's back to the grind on my the background dress - with muslin number two!

89 comments:

  1. Love love love love LOVE the whole outfit! Gorgeous job and beautiful fit.

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  2. Love the orange skirt with polka dots. Classy enough to be corporate but very unique.

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  3. Beautiful skirt, beautiful top! I love the colors

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  4. Oh my, this looks so fantastic! Glad to see the finished project :-)

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  5. This just amazing! You look fabulous and your take on Emma's outfit is fabulous :)

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  6. I so enjoy seeing your creations. The lace trim on your skirt lining is a lovely detail.

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  7. Beautiful! I see bow skirts and dresses in my future. :)

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  8. you just look amazing and make me want to be able to pull off orange clothes!

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  9. Looove eeeeet. Waaaant eeeet. What a great outfit. Sometimes it's hard to achieve classiness and cheerfulness at the same time, but that's why we have Emma Pillsbury for inspiration!

    I love your retro hemline but I think I'll keep making my Jennys above the knees. Long skirts are too conspicuous where I live, plus I wear mostly ballet flats so I can't pull off the '50s movie star shins.

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  10. Not only can toot your own horn but I'll toot with you. That is one gorgeous outfit!

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  11. Oh my gosh. More absolutely inspiring and gorgeous dressmaking. How do you fit it all in alongside working full time?

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  12. What a flattering outfit! Great job! But check out the view C in the pattern envelope ... is it me, or does she look like her torso's on backwards? lol.

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  13. Hey Gertie, what a lovely outfit you've got! It really suits you, and that orange is gorgeous! Well done!

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  14. Fantastic! I've only recently started watching Glee on DVD and I have to agree with you that Emma has the BEST outfits! You've done a wonderful job!

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  15. Wow! The orange skirt is just lovely--Super flattering on you. I love the care you have taken with your linings on the skirt and blouse-pretty on the inside and outside!

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  16. Wow - what a wonderful and cheerful outfit to wake up to this morning. Just what I needed!

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  17. I love the whole outfit!

    P.S. I am so mad at you for pointing out Glee. I am now officially obsessed with the show and *Emma's clothing*. All I think about is creating an Emma-esque wardrobe for myself. Seriously though, thanks for the inspiration!

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  18. Ah, it looks so good! And I LOVE the inside pic of the blouse. Is it sad that I'm jealous of how awesome your interiors look?

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  19. I know I always say this with your new projects, but WOW!!!! Seriously girl: between the amazing color and pattern choices and the impeccable fit, I'm astounded by your mad sewing skills. I just love how this looks! Plus, I'm geeking out over the Threads article on lining; I've got to start knocking off some of my springtime skirt projects and this will be really handy I think.

    Last week I picked up an 80s pattern for a high waisted pencil skirt with a bow that reminded me of you. ;) I thought "this is such a Gertie skirt"! (I think I may have actually said as much to my mom too... haha!) I'm planning on making it up in some green linen...

    ♥ Casey
    blog | elegantmusings.com

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  20. Great! I usually don't line my clothes (I never made any coat yet and can't be bothered to line 'normal' clothes), but Hell! this cream lace finishing is something, I'd love to learn how to line properly, so thank you for the links. This outfit must rock with black heels!

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  21. Toot away. Your outfit rocks.

    The inside of your blouse looks amazing!

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  22. WOW! I love Emma's look but your ensemble is off the charts! I love the colors and fabrics you chose and the details of lace and lining make it even more feminine and tailored. You are definitely rockin' the pencil shirt thing! You are such an inspiration!

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  23. Pretty, pretty!
    I love the lace inside, it's like a little surprise.
    You look gorgeous!

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  24. Now I really want to watch Glee. I don't think it's aired here yet, but I'm starting to be very curious!

    You look amazing. I love this outfit. The orange with the polkadots is an excellent combination. Very elegant!

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  25. Love the outfit! The skirt fits so well. And your hair looks fantastic.

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  26. Marvelous all around! The bow detail on the skirt is killing me.

    And I just realized something. I'm only now watching old seasons of Ugly Betty, and the woman playing Emma was on that series in the early days! I KNEW I knew her from somewhere.

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  27. Love it! The outfit looks really good on you!

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  28. This is such a great outfit! The skirt has come out so well. Actually, I just made a dress from a vintage pattern in almost the same colour with a very similar vibe:
    http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com/2010/03/going-out-in-vintage-style.html

    Can't wait to see the next outfit you've been working on.

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  29. It's so fabulous! I just love everything single thing about it. That is the perfect orange color! Za Za Zing! I like your top even better than the Emma Pillsbury inspiration! So fantastic! Love love LOVE it!

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  30. Just beautiful! A perfect rendition of Emma.

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  31. Adorable! I would love to rock that look at work but I fear the pencil skirt.

    One question about wearability: do you have issues with body temperature wearing blouses in fabrics like silk, viscose and rayon rather than cotton? I find I either freeze or, um... "glow" all over the underarms.

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  32. As always, beautiful work! I love the lace detail on the lining.

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  33. fantabulous! The color and the details you put into the lining are sumputous. You have very much revved me up to jump into that Colette skirt patten I purchased a month ago, and have been to chicken to try :o)

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  34. Gertie, you're Emma With Attitude! lol. Thanks for the link to the lining tutorial - will definitely be checking that out.

    I love the lace on the lining - it's funny how little things like that can make you feel so much prettier, even (or maybe especially?) when no one else can see it.

    You go, girl! Another stunning outfit!

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  35. Oh my this is a stunning outfit!
    I love the lace detail on the slip.
    That skirt is simply amazing!

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  36. what a great outfit! i love the polka dots with the orange. well chosen!

    it must be so great to wear clothes that fit so well.

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  37. I would totally wear that! Am in love with your skirt :)
    Your outfit is better than Emma's!

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  38. cute cute cute cute! and looks even better with your coloring than with emma's. lovely!

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  39. A D O R A B L E

    I would wear this outfit to death its so cute, perfect in orange and it would be great in any color.


    I just adore the pattern you used for the top.


    ♥Darla

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  40. I'm going to echo everyone else here and say, "Gorgeous, gorgeous! And great fit!" You did a beautiful job, darlin'. Emma would be so proud.

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  41. This outfit is so cute! Love it!

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  42. OMG,I love it! That orange fabric is fantastic and it looks great with the polka dots.

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  43. you look stunning! Well done. And that skirt is gorgeous.

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  44. I love Glee and your outfit is tops! Love!

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  45. Lovely! Wonderful job and thank you for showing it to us!

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  46. Lovely job! You almost make me long for a waistline because I LOVE the bow on the skirt! And I'm with Shannon, I'm now hooked on the Emma blog and her clothing.

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  47. So great-and very inspiring, can't wait to get home to my sewing machine! And thanks for the link about the lining. I just bough some sheer turquoise polka dot print fabric for a dress and was wondering how to make it more opaque. Thanks!

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  48. It's fantastic! Love the colour of the skirt.

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  49. Oh I love that skirt so much great job.

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  50. I ADORE THIS OUTFIT SO MUCH! Haha yours looks even better than Emma's, I think! Love the blouse pattern and the skirt's color, everything turned out so perfectly! Great job!

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  51. You look smashing and the orange skirt is to die for! Beautiful work!

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  52. beautiful outfit. I have always wondered about cutting my lining on the bias. Thanks for the heads up.

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  53. This is SO fabulous I cannot even describe. I think you have far surpassed the inspiration outfit. The colors are perfect.

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  54. Oh I do understand that you're pleased! The blouse is really adorable, and I believe you when you say the Jenny skirt would be the one skirt for the rest of your life... No wonder, because it looks great. Please enlighten me about non-stretch fabrics and pencil skirts, if you have any comments to that issue. I'm so scared of making pencil skirts without stretch, but yours looks amazing... And, although I've enjoyed your latest posts, it's nice to see some of your own work again!

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  55. I love that you added lace to the lining! So cute!

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  56. One word: STUNNING! Do tell us how to make the bow. I know, it sounds like a moronic question, but I am obsessed with bows and would love to know your method since everything you make is top notch and gorgeous.

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  57. Just beuatiful. I am inspired. I am a similar shape to you and often wonder if something will suit me. Well, you have shown me everything can look beautiful! thank you.

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  58. Your outfit is adorable and gorgeous. Thank you so much for the links to my blog (The Swelle Life), I hope it provided some alternative entertainment for your lovely readers!

    P.S. I've just begun sewing classes (at last) and I am hoping to glean some brilliance from your blog - I need all the help I can get if I want to evolve beyond a mobile phone case made of old velvet pants! ♥

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  59. This is a stunning outfit! The skirt is such a lovely colour and it really suits you. I wore a high waisted skirt yesterday which I had made from stretch sateen, with a non stretch lining. I managed to split the back seam of the lining just getting into my car. I'm buying stretch lining from now on

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  60. Wow so cute!! I would never think of pairing a black and white top with such a bright skirt... but it looks fantastic. I might have to try something similar :)

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  61. this turned out beautifully Gertie! The lace on skirt is a lovely extra touch, you nailed this outfit! looking forward to more on background dress!
    :-) RubySlippers

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  62. After I recent incident that reminded my why I hate looking for RTW clothing I decided to take up sewing for myself again. I stumbled across your blog last week and also just made my first skirt with the Jenny pattern. I made some adjustments to the hips and length but it still comes just to my knees. I think it is a super versatile pattern and want to make a fun one in addition to the grey and black.

    I wanted to comment however to mention that reading through your posts has helped me remember why I loved sewing clothes, and picking out patterns. It just takes a little more work to make something that actually fits me and that is so much more satisfying than spending $50-150 on a dress/skirt/pants that I never "want" to wear. Now I need to find a pattern for slacks that is flattering.

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  63. I think you've outdone yourself! I absolutely love it!!!! Fabulous! I even like it better than Emma Pilsbury's version. The top is much more retro than hers. Excellent job yet again!

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  64. That is just so nice! Love the outfit. Love the dots, love the orange.

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  65. It's beautiful - I love the little bow! Thanks for the lining link as well - I'm about to make a skirt and I'm going to try it!

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  66. Your outfit turned out fantastic! I adore that orange skirt, beautiful work!

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  67. You look beautiful Gertie! Love that shade of orange. xo apey

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  68. Fantastic - Love the orange skirt and the lace-edged lining, what a pretty detail! Nicely done and it fits you so well!

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  69. This is just so bleeping fantastic, I don't know whether to explode in a fury of french song, or to tap dance à la Gene Kelly.

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  70. Well, I think your version is better than the model and of course, you are prettier than the model also and I like your blouse much better than the other one, too. Other than that, the two pictures are pretty much the same. Not!

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  71. It's grogeous... Loving the orange skirt, bow and it's to die for lining. The blouse looks so pretty as well. Thank you so much for the lipstick it arrived last week and looks great... though I think it might take a while to get used to the 'redness" of it!

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  72. Holy heckbags! That's one a-MAZ-ing outfit! Way to be awesome, as usual! Totally with you on the Jenny - whenever I wear her, I feel like a real, live, grown up lady!
    xx Teegs

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  73. gorgeous! love the colour of that skirt.

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  74. Absolutely fantastic, Gertie!!! So pretty and flattering... yay for YOU!

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  75. What a beautiful new outfit! The skirt is adorable. The bow is such a lovely detail!

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  76. what a brilliant color on you! love it!

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  77. Love love love love! U look as sweet and lovely as emma :)

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  78. Double hearts! Triple hearts! You look great!

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  79. Bows are everywhere! Such a beautiful skirt!

    While watching 30 Rock last night I fell in love with the skirt a character wore at the beginning of the show. It reminded me of your project and inspired me to try making my own version, we shall see! http://thehoneybeesknees.blogspot.com/2010/03/take-bow.html

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  80. Fab, totally fab Gertie! Just a quick question (not sure if this has been mentioned) What colour shoes are you pairing the orange fabulousness with?! (Jeff needs more tutoring on photo taking, when he's not with the manuscript obviously!)

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  81. The outfit is AMAZING! Orange is my favourite colour, though, so I might be biased. The bow is such a cute touch.

    Is the waist band on Jenny a lower-bodice shaped piece? I had been thinking of getting it, but I'm a 14... not a 10! It would never fit. :) Maybe I'll draft something myself from these instructions (http://marmaladekiss.blogspot.com/search/label/skirt%20block ).

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  82. Wahhh! I just happened upon your blog and I am completely in love. I haven't sewn anything in so long, but I think you might've sparked something in me.

    XD

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  83. linking from one blog to another, I've found you!
    I too am in love with Emma's style, and your take on Emma is just devine! It fits you beautifully, fabrics are devine, what a fantastic outfit!
    Lynda

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  84. That outfit is fabulous! You make me want to drag my sewing machine out of the closet and try my darnedest to make a garment that fits! YOu're an inspiration and you look fabulous too!

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  85. Love the lining/facing combo. The Colette patterns Oolong dress, which I sewed recently, has you do that and I really loved how it looked.

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  86. ...And of course the skirt is adorable too.

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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