Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Cabarita Coverup???

My grandparents came all the way from West Virginia for their annual summer visit and while they were here my Grandma decided we should make something out of the 4-way stretch swimwear spandex knit I bought ages ago when I first started on my knit sewing adventure. It had a beautiful big chocolate and white stripe and was a dollar a yard. Who wouldn't buy a million yards of it??

Her idea started as a skirt with those "V's" so I could throw it over my swimsuit and be cool and comfy when I got out of the pool. I told her they were chevrons and would make a neat skirt. After some thought, I talked her into a dress coverup since it would cover all of me in one go. She agreed and I grabbed my Cabarita top pattern since it already had built in sleeves and a handy chevron layout.
EVERYWHERE online had been talking about how 4-way stretch knits really stretch and had to be cut down to get the proper fit. I figured if I cut mine actual size it would stretch out and be a lovely slouchy cover up.
I cut it out simply lengthening straight down and zipped it up really quick not bothering to hem the bottom or sleeves. I tried Kadiddlehopper's new technique for the V part of the neckline and zigzagged the front neckline down. This was a quick cover up project for the pool...
In case you can't tell this sucker couldn't be any tighter if I had spray painted it on. You can see every lump, bump and curve under it. My pool coverup turned into vavavoom time... not exactly the look I was going for.
On the plus side I now have my own version of spanx. It also make me realize I love these big stripes and really want to try this kind of dress again in a not so clingy fabric and with better finishes. Grandma thinks the whole thing needed to have the "V's" She really liked them!
So that's my last dress of July... how did the month go for you sewingwise?

12 comments:

Cation Designs said...

Vavavoom time indeed! That is one good-looking dress, even if it didn't turn out to be what you intended. I do like the chevrons on just the back since it's a surprise after seeing the horizontal stripes on the front.

velosews said...

While you have a great figure, go vavavoom style. With the large stripes, this is a great look for summer.

EmSewCrazy said...

I really like the only chevron back too. I think it's a fun surprise. Now if I can get up the guts to wear it in public.

EmSewCrazy said...

Thanks. I'm working up the courage to wear it out to the pool and back.

Anonymous said...

I love it! But, for functionality, maybe size up next time? Now I want a dress with big bold chevrons!

EmSewCrazy said...

Thanks. I too love the bold effect. Yes, I'll size up when working with swimwear fabric next time.

Anonymous said...

Very nice! I just made up and blogged the Cabarita top, but in a floral, so did not have to line up stripes. I may make the next one as a dress, thanks for the idea!

EmSewCrazy said...

Your floral top is super cute! I really want to try this pattern in some different fabrics. Hope your dress idea goes well.

Borsmenta said...

Actually you look skinny in this, and it looks awesome. The back chevron is perfect, great contrast and a big surprise to the front. If you don't feel comfy in it just get this special underwear which is said to make you even skinnier. :)

EmSewCrazy said...

Well thanks, I wasn't trying to look skinny. I guess it was such a shock because I was expecting a loose thing to throw over my swimsuit and instead I got something worthy of a night out.

Tania said...

I really like the V neck front and back on you- I think it's really flattering!
And it might be slim-fitting, but with no cleavage/no leg on display, you can totally wear this in the daytime- and not just at the pool!! ;)

EmSewCrazy said...

Thanks Tania! I think I might like it better as a dress than a cover up since there's less lines without my swimsuit underneath.