Sunday 24 February 2013

What I was going to wear...



...to Tamera's birthday party, if I had finished it in time, was this;




But altering this 1960s homemade jumpsuit into a groovy pair of huge wide-legged pants proved slightly more troublesome - and time-consuming - than I had imagined.




I wore the jumpsuit here, for the purposes of making a twat of myself, but it never really fit properly on the top.
 
It squashed my marvellous knockers into a most unbecoming monoboob, and felt scratchy and tight and uncomfortable. 

But I loved the fabric so much, and the trouser part is fabulous (and it fits) so I was reluctant to sell it on.
 
 
 
 
 
So, being a sewist these days (ahem...) I decided it was perfectly within my capabilities to chop the top off and turn it into Wide-Leg Pants of Glory.
 
 


See? Gloriarse!

I ended up replacing the zip, and the finish doesn't bear close inspection, but from a distance, I'm pleased with the result.

I'm just hoping Jumpsuit Queens Sarah and Vix will forgive the surgery...
 



1960s jumpsuit and 1970s peasant blouse - Ebay
Belt, bangles and rings - charity shopped
Hair flowers - charity shopped and retail
Long beaded necklace - gift from the birthday girl herself, Tamera
 
 
I think most of us agree that altering vintage clothes is fine, if it turns them into something wearable and more appropriate for the owner.
 
 
 
And despite the swearing as I struggled with very slippery fabric and not being finished in time for the party, I am happy.

I'm off to check out what all my dear friends have been up to this weekend.

I'll be over at Patti's as usual, being highly Visible on Monday.

   xxxx

48 comments:

Connie said...

Oh yes. Flowers in your hair every day. You are really turning into quite the crafty gal. I am super impressed with your sewing skills. Baggy pants Forever!
Connie*

Rachel said...

Ooh, am I first? Yippee! Good sewing, sewist. It doesn't matter if you make mistakes. Do people look closely at the zips of your shop-bought stuff? I should think not! These are beauties.

Can you be let in late to the party, on condition of good behaviour?!?

Rachel said...

Oh bum, second! Xx

Sheila said...

Wow, those are amazing pants! I am boggled by your sewing skills, being completely unadept at it.

Amber of Butane Anvil said...

WOW!!! I'm away from home on a brick of a laptop with spotty internet connectivity, keeping only the barest handle on events in Style Bloglandia, but had to wrangle in a comment on PANTS OF GLORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Curtise, I just love you madly!
xoxo

Lucys Lounge said...

hello, those pants are amazing. I love the fabric too.lucyx

Fiona said...

You are so right, the print on this fabric is wonderful. I loved the catsuit but understand why you chopped it and to my untrained eye it looks like you did a mighty fine job, you Sew-Sista you! Didn't you know it is terribly fashionable to be late to parties?

Anonymous said...

Those are gloriously large bells of flowers! I love them and in awe of your sewing project. I hate sewing machines so I would never tackle something like that. Most tops on vintage things don't fit me at all but the bottom half is always my favorite. If they're full enough that is.
Gorgeous fabric pattern and great blouse topping it all off!

Vix said...

I certainly can forgive the surgery, far better to rock those amazing pants than have a boob-squishing jumpsuit you can't wear! They look gorgeous, the print & colour makes me go weak at the knees, I think Tamera needs another party so you can rock 'em!
I LOVE you in trousers, more please! xxxx

Diane said...

What amazing fabric - I love the wide leg trousers, but thought it looked fab as a jumpsuit too. I can't get to Chezvegas market as I work till 3pm Mon-Friday - although I am giving some serious thought to packing in. Ive developed a dicky ticker. I have a very swollen Left Ventricle and they cannot find out what is causing it. xxxxx

Max said...

Ace pants-i bet they make you want to do scissor kicks all thebtime to show off all the swing in that gorgeous fabric!

Sarah Jane said...

Wow gloriarse pants indeed. Check you out. How I wish I could make/alter my own clothing to make something equally as eye popping as this. I'm waiting on one of you talented ladies to post a non-zip cushion cover tutorial for me to cack handedly copy (hint)!! xxx

Anonymous said...

Slippery fabric is so difficult but you did a great job. Your trousers look lovely. And much better to have trousers you can wear than a jumpsuit languishing in the wardrobe.
Fab purple belt too.xx

Frocktasia said...

I'm not surprised that you didn't want to sell it on, the fabric is truly fabulous!
You've made a great revamping job and now you've got a fabulous & wearable garment that you can really rock.
I had a different problemo today whilst wearing a 70s slinky polyester dress teamed with a gel-bra (not a good idea), it looked as if I had some sort of irregular lumpy boob syndrome...I need one of those invisibras :)
I love your peasant blouse too, you look fab...x

Anonymous said...

They are the widest and most wonderful pair of pants, what a great idea to transform them. I'm sure Vix will think you've done a great job and het despite whether you think it's an acceptable sew job you've given it a go and it's wearable.

Patti said...

Oh, glorious trousers! You did a terrific transformation and you look retro-gorgeous. xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Your pants of glory are fabulous! In the American sense of "pants." Although I'm sure your other ones are gloriarse, too. And I like the peasant blouse to go with these giant bloomers. Bloomers and bling!

I see a renaissance of big pants on the horizon...

Unknown said...

I think this looks so modern with the contrasting top really! Great job from here....

Becky said...

Dang those pants are fly!!! Fantastic job! I would probably get way more use out of some palazzos than a jumpsuit. I love jumpsuits but they NEVER fit me right-- always too tight in the crotch because I am so long waisted.
Becky :)

Veshoevius said...

monoboob haha! Great job on the conversion - the trousers look great!

OP SHOP MAMA said...

Ahhh I'm getting behind on your blog posts - you're too prolific!!
A sewist, no less!

This is a masterpiece. You looked terrific in it at the beginning, but I completely get the mono-boob thing!!! LOL that happens to my marvellous mams all the time.

YOu are very talented to work on such a slippery project. The pants are now EPIC and you look triff in them. x

Unknown said...

The jumpsuit was divine but applying Vix's law left it unwearable so YAY for Dr CurtiseQuim Medicine Woman! The pants are now EXQUISITE! You really are quite the sewist - how DO you do it all, Wonderwoman??

I love the entire magnificent ensemble - the lovely breezy blouse and the hair flowers make me want to hitch hike to Woodstock with you.

Love!!! Sarah xxx

Fran said...

That is a beautiful jumpsuit but when something is uncomfortable is hardly matters. Great sewing - that requires patience.

Trees said...

Go you! I'm all for altering vintage clothes if it makes them more wearable, they are clothes after all, they should be worn. I do love that you're getting into sewing now - I can' wait to see what you come up with next:D

Vicky Hayes said...

Have been catching up with your lovely blog Curtise and I love the way your life is lived in glorious technicolor (of course that's a typo - it should read gloriarse as you know!) Shame about the monoboob as the jump suit looked so glam but you've been rather clever in turning it into the wide legged trouser of glory! I do like the idea of housework in a headdress but then there wouldn't be room for my glasses... Vicky x

freckleface said...

I love that jumpsuit both in its original state and the way that you've styled it in this lovely folklorique look with the flower and the bangles.

I think you have to change things to make them more wearable, otherwise they will just sit there in the wardrobe. And all of us larger bosomed ladies know, a monoboob is never a good thing.

Well done on the sewing front, there's no stopping you these days!! xxxxx

Kitty Greene said...

I love that fabric, how could anyone feel miserable wearing that ? You've made a good job of it, I don't think there' anything wrong with altering vintage clothes, after all when you're done, they're 'reborn' - given a new life instead of being forgotten. I also liked it in it's original form, because of the empire line, great for hiding a slightly thickening waistline !

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you ditched the monoboob for these fab pants as they look great and yes, you're right: far better to have a functional piece than a so-so one that makes you uncomfortable. I love the pattern too, Curtise, and the way you've styled the pants makes me think of an old world gypsy steeped in folkloric traditions! Xoxo

Señora Allnut said...

great sewing job making that fabulous pants, love them!, and also love your peasant blouse and bijouterie, and that flowers on your hair!!, you're a springtime dream!
besos

CityScape Skybaby said...

I think you actually look very Frida Kahlo-ish in the revamped jumpsuit and peasant blouse Curtise. It's a shame you never got it finished in time for Tamera's party but I'm sure you'll have lots more chances to wear it. You're really getting into this sewing business now, I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with those children's curtains now. xx

Miss Simmonds Says said...

No one wants a monoboob! So you did the right thing turning it into a pair of giant trouser... They look brilliant! Who cares about the small details, as long as they don't suddenly fall apart they'll be great. You're a great seamstress, carry on the good work xxxx

The Style Crone said...

The Wide-Leg Pants of Glory are magnificent! The colors, the pattern, and you wearing them. Pairing them with the 70's peasant blouse was a stroke of genius. So, along with the flowers in your hair, you radiate off of my screen this morning. What a great way to start my day!

Anonymous said...

The Wide-Leg Pants of Glory are simply DIVINE!!! You did an awesome job and no one should be close enough to your bum to see any sewing boo-boos!!

Rose&Bird said...

It's a shame it didn't fit as a jumpsuit, but here's to reworking! The trousers are great and I love the print. The world's your oyster now!

Krista said...

See OMG you pit in a zipper and I love how you say it like it was nothing!!! :) Turning a jumpsuit into pants I bow at your new kick ass sewing skills! The print makes me cry for it is the prettiest thing EVER I can see why you had to do something so you would wear it. I love em' and YOU!!!!

Forest City Fashionista said...

LUUUV those giant pants! Your sewing skills are growing by leaps and bounds, and soon you will be designing your own line of maxi-dresses, that's my prediction...

Vintage Coconut said...

My heck your new pants are just simply AWESOME! I love the colors and design they are super funky.
You look superb Curtise.

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

You are a real bloody sewist person! Bloody hell! They look fabulous.
xx

silvergirl said...

totally jealous of your sewing skills
looks great as a single piece
brett

Unknown said...

Looking definitely slick, Curtise! Such a great pattern mix! Although I really liked the jumpsuit on you as well. Smart of you to take a pic before you began!
Sewist. Great word ... must remember to use it!

Unknown said...

Wow you did a great job they and you look amazing :-) dee xxx

Melanie said...

Wow, how well did you do! Far better as a skirt, though I liked it before too xxx

Anne M Bray said...

I will chime in with my delight over your fantastic repurposing of the jumpsuit. MOST EXCELLENT. I want a closer look at the print -- it is mesmerizing!

Here's a tip for sewing on slippery fabric: baste vs pins. And if you baste with silk thread, it's easy to pull it out later.

Here's to more successful surgical outcomes!

Flora Cruft said...

You've done a fantastic job Curtise, far better than I could ever manage, and you look like a wonderful Gypsy Queen, I adore the contrasting prints and the flower in your hair!

Helga said...

O, my GAWD, darling, I am SO pleased you were able to salvage that jumsuit and make it wearabel!!The fabric is to DIE for AMAZING! I think I have some a similar print piece of fabric lying about somewhere...
YEAH, why not alter it to suti yourself! Wearing and enjoying a garment is vital! I sometimes feel guilty when I turn a garment inside out, but what the HELL.As long as I don't completely feck it up, which has happened. DIVOON,my lovely,DIVOON!
Love you!XXXXXXXXX

Nikki @ Penelope Cat Vintage said...

They are amaaaaazing! I can't believe how wide they are and the pattern/colours are fantastic.

Fab!

x

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

Glad to know I'm not the only one who swears like a navvy while sewing, which is probably why I save those projects for when the kids are at school;). You have saved the jumpsuit from becoming Frustrated Boob Squisher Banished to Back of Wardrobe to yes ... Wide-Leg Pants of Glory baby!!!! I have trouble with zips after all these years but I am thrilled to see you pushed on and created that work of art - and how you've garnished those pants - glory be the blouse, belt and bangles!!!!! xxoxoxoxoxo

Megan said...

Pants. Of. FABULOUSNESS!