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Feels too wide to me, but what do I know? (Moderated by Sharon1952)
Posted on: 6/6/14 12:10 PM ET
I'm working on the McCall's shirtdress pattern M6891 (new this year, so no reviews here yet.) The collar and lapel feel a little too wide for me:

But what do other people think? Of course it's my dress, so I can make the lapel as wide as I want, but I'm wondering what the style is these days. Are lapels wider now?
My fashion instincts aren't very sharp, so any insight is welcome!

But what do other people think? Of course it's my dress, so I can make the lapel as wide as I want, but I'm wondering what the style is these days. Are lapels wider now?
My fashion instincts aren't very sharp, so any insight is welcome!
Posted on: 6/6/14 12:14 PM ET
You could mock up the size in paper and put i on your self and look in the mirror or get another person to looks.
It doesn't look to exaggerated either way to me. It is all about where it hit you on your frame.
It doesn't look to exaggerated either way to me. It is all about where it hit you on your frame.
Posted on: 6/6/14 12:48 PM ET
It looks just right to me.
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Linda
Bernina 830LE - Brother Dreamweaver VQ3000 - Bernina B-770QE - Janome 6600P - Pfaff 1209 - Babylock Evolution - Babylock Sashiko2 - Babylock BLCS-2
Bernina 830LE - Brother Dreamweaver VQ3000 - Bernina B-770QE - Janome 6600P - Pfaff 1209 - Babylock Evolution - Babylock Sashiko2 - Babylock BLCS-2
Posted on: 6/6/14 12:48 PM ET
In reply to ElizLunday
For me it's all about balance. I usually like to draw the eye up, so I would probably make that neckline as is. If you need the focus to be someplace else you could definately narrow the collar and lapels which might put less emphasis on the neckline. Or not! LOL. Whatever works for you...that's what is important.
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Stash: 188 yds. @ 11.25.18
Bernina 560
Babylock Imagine
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Bernina 560
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Babylock Coverstitch
Posted on: 6/6/14 12:59 PM ET
In reply to ElizLunday
I think some of the visual width of that lapel in the photo, is an optical illusion generated by the plaid fabric it's made of. And just the way they decided to match the particular plaid there. Notice the vertical red band and the thinner black one next to it on the fold back there, and because of that and the way those particular lines on both sides are meeting at the top button, and then winging outward, they are making a big visual V there,and I think it's making the collar look a lot wider than it would, if of some other solid or print fabric instead. Also the the plaid lines of the collar where it meets the lapel, being off set to each other, I think are doing that even more there too. Not saying that is good or bad, just that I think it's creating an optical illusion of greater width by doing that, in the that particular photo.
So unless you are making it of plaid and doing it the same way, both those things may not be happening.
Go look at the line drawing instead, and you might think it looks very different and a lot more narrow. Of course to know for real, you would just have to measure against something else instead.
-- Edited on 6/6/14 1:01 PM --
-- Edited on 6/6/14 1:03 PM --
So unless you are making it of plaid and doing it the same way, both those things may not be happening.
Go look at the line drawing instead, and you might think it looks very different and a lot more narrow. Of course to know for real, you would just have to measure against something else instead.
-- Edited on 6/6/14 1:01 PM --
-- Edited on 6/6/14 1:03 PM --
Posted on: 6/6/14 8:42 PM ET
Thanks for the feedback, folks! Maybe it *is* an optical illusion. I'm going to peer at myself very closely in my muslin and decide if I think it looks too wide for *me* and not worry about the fashiony-ness of it any more.
Posted on: 6/6/14 9:23 PM ET
One thing to keep in mind is your own size. I am a petite and nearly always cut down my collars, lapels, pockets and other such details as much as a quarter inch to be more in scale with my size. Something to consider.
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http://lasewist.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 6/7/14 12:24 PM ET
It looks good to me unless you have narrow shoulders. If you have to cut down the shoulders, you'd probably want to cut down the collar and lapels too. Please review the pattern once you are done!
Posted on: 6/7/14 12:45 PM ET
In reply to ElizLunday
Compared to what I have seen lately (albeit styles and proportions are all over the place these days), I would keep the collar and lapel as is, but bring the shoulders in 1/2" on each side and also shorten the sleeves about an inch... preferable with an angled shape.
The whole thing being "oversized" makes it kinda 80's, but the mix of one exaggerated element (collar/lapel) with the other proportions more tailored gives it a more deliberate modern take.
Please don't ask me what shoes, I have no skills as a fashion stylist! lol
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The whole thing being "oversized" makes it kinda 80's, but the mix of one exaggerated element (collar/lapel) with the other proportions more tailored gives it a more deliberate modern take.
Please don't ask me what shoes, I have no skills as a fashion stylist! lol
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-Catina
PaTTernHack.com
PaTTernHack.com
Posted on: 6/8/14 7:09 AM ET
There is something else that may be contributing to your feeling that it is too wide. It looks to me that the collar should be longer. Hmmm - that isn't exactly what I[ am trying to say. The seam where the collar joins the lapel seems to be a little higher than we are wearing them now. Several years ago this shorter collar/lapel join area looked llike this.
It really seems like you can find them all over the place any more. I would try it on again and really look at yourself and do what you think looks the best on your body. None of us want to appear "out-of-date", but your own feeling about the style should be your guide. How you feel about it and your comfort in the style is the important.
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It really seems like you can find them all over the place any more. I would try it on again and really look at yourself and do what you think looks the best on your body. None of us want to appear "out-of-date", but your own feeling about the style should be your guide. How you feel about it and your comfort in the style is the important.
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