Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Red Gingham in the Country

Hey friends, I'm back! And I missed you! Jeff and I had a lovely weekend away, but it's good to be home again. I have lots of things to show you, but I thought I'd start with this little outfit I made. I wore it hiking one day, and Jeff couldn't stop giggling at me. I think it had something to do with the fact that I was wearing this - along with my braided up-do and coordinating red lipstick - in a state park surrounded by crunchy nature types. Let's just say I stood out.

I made the shorts from my trouser pattern that I drafted in my class with Kenneth King, but styled them after a 50s shorts pattern I own. I'm still getting the trick of drafting and applying waistbands, and this one ended up a tad too loose. More practice to come!

The blouse is made from Simplicity 2121 and it was fun to sew up.


But I slightly resemble a picnic table.


This is me appreciating nature.
The gingham checks are lovingly, perfectly matched on the tops of the kimono sleeves, but it was impossible to get a match on the underside and side seams as well. Sometimes you have to pick your battles.

After we left the park, we went to some antique shops in town and I swapped out my sneakers for beige sandals and a matching vintage pocketbook. I felt rather smart!


More vacation shots to come. I did a little shopping that I think will be of interest to you!

59 comments:

  1. Ohhh, you look divine!
    My mum has always made fun of me since the day she asked me to come outside and help her move rocks in the garden and I went out wearing a pretty day dress.
    "It's Better to be looked over than over looked," as they say!

    Claire x

    www.jemimaandgerladine.blogspot.com

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  2. You're a hoot. Of course you stood out among the 'crunchy' nature lovers. The shorts fit impeccably. I knew from what I'd seen of a friends fitting class with KK that you would get your money's worth.

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  3. I'm so glad you're back--I really missed your posts. ;) You look so, so gorgeous! The fit of everything is beautiful. Heck, it's good to see another gal who "overdresses" while doing outdoor activities--I do it all the time. ;) Plus, you do it with such panache!

    ♥ Casey
    blog | elegantmusings.com

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  4. The outfit is fabulous and the shorts fit perfectly! I wish there were a pants fitting class near me. Are you planning to share any tips on how you drafted your pants?

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  5. Absolutely Perfect! you stood out with style I'm sure!

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  6. Your shorts fit so cute they appear to have no zipper! Did you do a side lapped zipper for a full 50's effect? The glamour is palpable.

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  7. There's no rule on the books that people have to look a mess when they are out in the country. That's a great outfit for a walk in the park and if the 'sweatpants and flipflops set' were wowed by you, then good on you (and they should 'up' their country sartorial game as well). I, too am attracted to red this year - I'm in the middle of making a red dress and red shorts are definitely on my list of summer sewing.

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  8. You may have stood out but at least you look fab doing it! The outfit is very cute and looks great on you.

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  9. This outfit is so cute! I hope you had adequate bug spray if you were hiking with that much skin exposed.

    The shot of you by the water with your back to the camera looks like it could be from an old calendar. So glam and wholesome at the same time. :)

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  10. I absolutely love that you wore this on a hike.

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  11. OMG. You absolutely rock. I feel so drab and... countrified. Crunchy... like muesli.

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  12. Oh, Gertie, you look amazing and so glamorous, too! More women should care how they look when they are in the country. You stood out in a good way.

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  13. I just love, love, LOVE this look on you!

    It's so refreshing to see someone in the woods who isn't wearing Northface polyfleece!

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  14. I love the outfit, but seriously people, what's up with all the snarky remarks about hiking gear and crunchy folks? (I'm talking about some of the other comments, not your post, Gertie.)

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  15. Love the ensemble! If you were wearing cat's eye glasses, I'd swear I was seeing my mom from years ago. Sure do miss her. umm, polarfleece and hiking boots are de rigeur here in Oregon, land of crunchy nature lovers. It's a style I embrace.

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  16. Just for the record, I own lots of Northface polyfleece -- love it!

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  17. Why Miss Gertie, you're beautiful!
    I love that you camped fashionably – that outfit is SO fantastic!

    Can't wait to see more!

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  18. You look darling in your outfit! The fit of the shorts is excellent. Re: the waistband, better to be a little loose than too tight, KWIM?

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  19. If you stood out, well then all the better. You look FABulous!!

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  20. Your red outfit is darling!
    Those short are a lovely fit on you - well done for great work on the drafting-ness of them :)

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  21. You look fantastic!!!! I am always "overdressed", but I don't care--it is who I am. I always love your posts.

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  22. LOVE the outfit.

    My sig. other loves nature types of stuff and I never fit in with the bird watchers or the hikers. He also love golf and I don't fit in there either. And you know, I don't think it's a bad thing. I think it's great that you can go for a hike in an outfit you feel fabulous in.

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  23. I love the top! It is so swell and sweet looking! The shorts are wonderful as well! They look great on you! Fabulous outfit!

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  24. You look sooo adoreable! You have inspired me to start sewing again. Thank you!

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  25. You look as cute as a cupcake. And you made the right choice on the plaid-matching battle.

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  26. You are HILARIOUS! I'm sure you did stand out amongst t-shirts, cargo shorts and hiking shoes!

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  27. Welcome back! LOVE this outfit, totally. Sigh.

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  28. That is so cute! I love the whole outfit and you look fabulous in it!

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  29. I love your "this is me appreciating nature" shot! It's priceless! And the outfit looks superb! The shorts seem to fit you perfectly.

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  30. we're not always perfectJune 8, 2010 at 2:13 PM

    Is constructive criticism okay? Personally, I think the outfit would have looked more vintage and less costume-y if the shirt was made using a smaller gingham print. Also, I agree with you that the shorts have too much of a gap at the waist. Is it okay to play the devil's advocate sometimes in this blog's comment section?

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  31. LOVE your outfit and photos! You look wonderful, happy, fun. I love the big gingham for the top (vs. smaller checks); the sleeve seamline on bias I think adds nice graphic impact.

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  32. But a picnic table in a GOOD way. You look gorgeous!

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  33. You always look fabulous Gertie!

    I love your hairstyle. How do you manage do to it?

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  34. I just love this outfit. But I especially love the hair! Unfortunately, I can't seem to do updos.

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  35. Very Very cute. I bet you were the best-dressed out of all of the crunchy nature-lovin' hikers. I'll have to remember that! So retro to go hiking in such a cute getup.

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  36. Well aren't you just cute as a bug's ear! Such a fun little vacation outfit. :)

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  37. I love it! I'm sure you looked way more dashing then those nature types. How could you not with such a classic and fun ensemble!

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  38. Oh how CUTE! Maybe it was good that the waistband came out looser than you need, prolly would make for more comfortable hiking. I really wan one of those tie-front blouses now!

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  39. Welcome back, and you look adorable!

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  40. You look absolutely fantastic in that outfit.

    I bet the other hikers were jealous that they didn't think to wear something so awesome. They were all in beige/khaki/green weren't they?

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  41. I can not believe you look this cute while hiking. Gotta admit as girly as I am, I look pretty bummy when outdoors, I guess because I feel bad to dirty nice clothes.

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  42. Cute top and your shorts looked awesome! It's so great you drafted them yourself! Can't tell they're a little too big---they look GREAT! Drafting your own pants is such a HUGE milestone. You've done yourself (and us all) proud! Hope to follow in your footsteps (wink)!

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  43. You are so freakin cute. I can't stand it. I think I need something similar for my next camping trip.

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  44. How cute are you?! I love it. I too dance to my own beat, no matter who I am surrounded by. I could hear my husband laughing the whole time also. So glad you had fun. I knew I liked you.

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  45. You are 100% adorable Gertie! I'm always to scared to sew 'casual' type clothes 'cause I know I won't wear them, you are quite inspiring...

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  46. That outfit is to die for! You look so cute! Glad you had a relaxing time. xxx

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  47. The sandals are fantastic! But even more so are the shorts. I'm more determined to find someone to help me with pants now.

    You look fab! I'm glad that you guys had a good time.

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  48. Adorable outfit! You look so bright and fresh, the red really pops against the greenery in the background. I'd so much rather be overdressed and look cute, than underdressed and feel sloppy. Can't wait to see more of your vacation looks, welcome back!!

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  49. Those shorts are stunning on you. They fit you perfectly and are short but flattering. The high waist plus the tie on the blouse makes it so cute.

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  50. Why not go glamorous on hike? You look stunning!

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  51. It's lovely and you look gorgeous in the outfit!

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  52. Awww you look so cute! I love the hair. :) and your smile is gorgeous!!

    xx Love & Aloha
    ***Swing by to enter my little giveaway!

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  53. Adorable! This is a cute summer outfit perfectly suitable for your hike and antique shopping. Gingham on a smaller scale perhaps would make the underside and side seams less noticeable, but hey, if you like the larger scale, that's what you like.

    What I wear hiking stands out too. Not many people in skirts on the trails here, especially wearing ballet flats. Too bad I didn't bother with my hair and lipstick that day. I would have been far more put together. Oh well, next time...

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  54. I love it! And am so jealous of your hair braid.

    I just stumbled across your blog today and can't wait to see what you come up with for the little girl's dress!

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  55. wow you did an amazing job!i found you from colette patterns! i am a new sewer and love to get any helpful tips i can to stick in my sewing tool belt..hehe... i look forward to reading more of your posts! i just recently made my first gingham skirt: http://thecitybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2010/06/little-blue-picinic.html

    xo,
    cb

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

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