Saving Grace
Grace is finished and I have to say that I feel a long way from graceful in it. It makes me look like a hippo. I think the main problem is that I made it a size too big. I had a choice of 38" or 42" and I stupidly thought the bigger size would be a better option as the smaller would have fitted where it touched and been a bit stretched and tight. I was far to lazy to rejig the pattern to a 40". I'm now thinking it would have been a better option.
I then passed on the problem to my trusty band of knitting friends who suggested either ribbon threaded through or a steek and chop job. The thought of scissors and knitting gives me nightmares so I reevaluated the ribbon idea and took inspiration from a top of a similar style that I have, that has ribbon attached at the sides and is then fastened around the back.
While the front looks great in comparison the back looks a bit sack o' spuds-like. At the moment I'm figuring what can't see can't hurt me, but I am open to suggestions. Those scissors are looking mighty tempting...
posted by Rain @ 1:00 pm
31 Comments:
It's certainly an improvement :) If you're thinking it's a bit 'fussy' what about two lengths of broader ribbon and a button (or two) to fasten them in the middle. Then you'd have no dangly bits. You could even use black ribbon and buttons if you want the effect to be minimal.
Or, what about something like Matilda Jane? Looks fiddly but then you are rather talented!
http://www.ysolda.me.uk/wordpress/index.php/matilda-jane/
The white ribbon was just to see what it would look like. I'll have to get some black next time I'm out.
I really like the look of Matilda Jane, but you have much higher expectations of my sewing skills than I do! The back definitely need some work. Thanks for the suggestions.
I don't think the ribbon looks bad at all, but I like Seahorse's button suggestion. You're very pretty. :)
Here's a little trick (from someone who habitually needs to buy clothing that sags in the waist because my boobs are about 10" bigger): when you're done pulling back and tying the ribbon, you want to make a kind of "fold" of the extra fabric on both sides. That way, it won't bunch randomly, but look like you meant it to be folded under a bit on the right and left. Learned that from those embarrassing clippy thingies in the 80's...
It looks great otherwise! Use a broader ribbon in a matching color, and you're good to go!
You *are* very pretty :D
I think steek, but I am always for drastic measures ;)
Darts are good if you can do them. I've done some dreadful ones in a top Mum made for DD, lol.
I think the tie makes it look better, but then again, I can't come up with any other suggestions. :)
What batty said. But in addition you could secure that fold in place with just a tiny stitch of thread or matching yarn.
Sorry it didn't turn out the way you had hoped! I think the ribbon makes a big improvement, but you're the one who will be wearing it. You may as well do what you'll be happy with in the long run. In my experience if there is something I'm not happy about, I won't wear it :0(
I'd do two darts in the front, and two in the back. If you still need to go smaller, you can always take in the side seams a little bit. Good luck with it! Grace definitely has potential!
Good luck with whatever you decide, the darts sound like a good option but I have zero experience of any of these alteration methods!
I think it ought to be called `eek and chop` looks pretty scary! I think I might try darts, but I would be inclined to tack them in using contrast slippery thread to see what they looked like first - easy to undo if you don`t like the look.
I totally know how you feel. I knit an alpaca shrug which didn't come out how I wanted it too. After frogging and much debate I finished it but it is too long at back and not quite big enough in the bust department. Itis now destined for my craft stall, I think. It might fit someone.
Good luck with your 'tweeking'.
Yep, I really do like the front when it's pulled back with the ribbon. Batty's idea is a good one if you don't want to go for the steeking option.
I think darts probably are the way to go, and they're nowhere near as scary as steeks to do! It looks lovely from the front when pulled by the ribbon and the back should be fine with just a wee bit of tweaking :)
Hm. I think it's an improvement too. But I like the suggestions of a wider ribbon and the fact that it's behind you so who cares? :-)
Or do what I do and save it for your handknit maternity collection. I've got a couple of things that are great patterns but turned out potato sack size!!!
Oh how many times have I done that! Now that my knitting time is such a scarcity, I do the math about 50 times before I start and try it on about 3000 times while I'm knitting. You can never be too sure. Scissors and yarn do not do well in my mind. I can't wait to see what you do. :)
The ribbon and button might do the trick, but I think the pattern needs yarn with more weight - just my thought. I have that pattern in my stash, but thought of it in a heavy weight cotton/rayon. I would also make it a bit longer for myself. It is hard to tell, but would you wear it much? I knit a wrap sweater this summer that I know will only languish in the cupboard until I give it to Sally Ann or frog it!
I heard your voice on BritKnitCast last night - good on you!
I say scissors! Go for it girl!
I think that a thicker ribbon in a matching color would look great. Try that and it you are still not happy, I would try the steeking. You don't have anything to lose and everything to gain. You will hopefully get a garment that you truely like and you will acquire a new skill in the process! :)
Go on, get those scissors out, you know you really want to! ;-) Seriously though, I think the ribbon improves it but not sure about the back. Darts would work but wouldn't you have to cut it anyway to do darts? I've heard that steeking isn't anywhere near as bad as we think it is before trying it because the stitches are quite secure when cut vertically as opposed to horizontally as they are when on the needles.
It does make it look better in the front when you tie it back so maybe a black thicker ribbon. Other Ideas are to machine sew in the sides, lengthen the length or just frog it to make it your size but hey, your the expert.
It's short and wide so need lenghtening.I know it's fashionable to have a gap but I think it leaves this a bit boxy.A slight ruffle at the bottom?
OK, I've read all the suggestions and feel that I want to add my 2 cents worth.
I like the way the front looks when tied at the back but you could, (IMHO), improve the look of the back by lacing it in a criss-crossed fashion, like a corset, (or a plimmy), from the bra-strap area just down a few inches....? Wouldn't hurt to try, right?
No offense to the person who made the suggestion of the ruffle but I feel that would add extra width to the hip area - if you think you look like a hippo now, (which you do not at all!!), then think about the hippo in the tutu - hehehee - couldn't resist it!! ;o)
Very nice top btw!
Oh, dear. I hate when that happens. It's a lovely top, but I prefer the steek and chop job.
Hmmm. I wish I could be more helpful, but I'm usually just flummoxed when a pattern doesn't end up fitting the way I had hoped. I do like the wider ribbon idea suggested, though.
How about a lace edge then ..anything that adds length would definately help..not sure if you have any yarn left though?
I haven't looked at the pattern -- how is it knit? Because the only part that actually looks ill-fitted to me is the bottom 6 inches or so -- it flares out too much. Any way to address just that?
Good luck as you trouble shoot!
cut the knitting, cut it I say ... (think Disney's Sleeping beauty, and you know what sort of voice I'm saying that in). If you're really worried about fraying, then machine stitch it first, but it really isn't as scary as it sounds - honest!
Did you do anything to it yet? Is it in a heap of kinky frogged yarn?
I think a bit more length, darts, and wide ribbon could be a good, if labor intensive, option. Another thought, if you just added length, could you lightly felt it to bring in the width?
How is Grace? Did she go under the knife? I have one on the needles and I do hope it fits.
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