The New Vintage Wardrobe

Here is the first complete outfit from my SWAP.  I ended up changing the skirt for jeans as the only brown shoes I have have a heel that is not good for walking.  I must get new shoes!

My SWAP is not going as planned. I’ve already had to trash 2 tops and might be trashing another. The first top I trashed was the blue knit. The tester garment has become my favorite top, but it did not look nearly as flattering in a solid color. In the solid, the ruching just called attention to my belly. Not a good look. The second top I trashed was a bonus top. After cutting out my circle skirt and blouse, I had enough left over for a second blouse. I wasn’t too concerned about testing, since by the measurements it should have fit and the reviewers at patternreview.com gave it glowing reviews. It fit perfectly when I tried it on without the sleeves. However, the sleeves and armhole were really funky. I could not raise my arms above waist level. Now, we’re up to today. My blue linen washed up much softer than I was expecting. I was hoping it would be ok, but it’s turning out to be a problem. Even though I used my tester as my pattern, it doesn’t look anything like the tester. It drapes completely different. It looks pretty bad. I really should have used a stiff cotton. I’ll put it aside for a while and take another look at it in a few days.