You know that old adage, "Do you want the good news or the bad news first?" I always go with the bad news first because if someone is asking that question, the good news is never really good news...at least in my experience. So this post is about the final two Chado Ralph Rucci pieces...and I'm going to start with the "Fail" of the title first or the bad news...
First though let's recap ~
I purchased three panels of the Chado Ralph Rucci Wool Doubleknit fabric from Moods NYC store after seeing it on Moods' Instagram feed. Initially I had no idea what I would make with it. After deciding upon the dress, I still had quite a bit of yardage left. So I thought a jacket and skirt combo would allow me to play with the purple stripe that's a main feature of this fabric. My last post was about the dress so this one is all about the suit.
The Fail...
![]()
I chose a jacket pattern that I'd used before - Vogue 8209 which is out of print - because the lines worked well with the fabric. All of the construction details for the jacket are in this post. This jacket is unlined without any closures. The fabric doesn't really need a lining and that works well with my pattern choice.
Just like the dress, pattern placement was the key to using the fabric effectively. For the jacket I ran the purple stripes down the front and then used the leftover pieces of fabric to cut the sleeves. I thought it would add some interest to the jacket.
![]()
However, after taking these photos, I realized that I would NEVAH EVAH wear these two pieces together, they really are "too artsy" for my workplace. But I did realize that I could separate the pieces and wear them with other garments from my wardrobe.
The jacket pictured with a black ponte dress from my closet...
![]()
The Win...
I went with my TNT straight skirt pattern for the second piece. This allowed me to come up with a suit, a suit that I now know I'm not going to wear. However, this piece will work with a black twinset that is presently in my closet and this is how I would wear it...
![]()
Honestly after allowing the jacket and skirt to sit, I will be removing the sleeves from the jacket. Even though I got the sleeves out of the remaining scraps of fabric, and it seemed like a good idea at the time, I now know it's not. One of my thoughts is to add some of the black pleather in the collection to the sleeves...it's a thought...but if I do the jacket will forever be relocated to a weekend look...so I'll see.
I love the skirt and will wear it with a black twinset because this look works for me and my lifestyle. I also have a purple twinset that will go with this skirt so with some tights and my black wedge booties it will be a great Friday look.
Either way the jacket needs to be revamped, so that it can become a viable member of my wardrobe or dissembled to see if there is another option for it.
In conclusion...
The dress and the skirt were the best items made from the Chado Ralph Rucci wool doubleknit fabric. The jacket is still up in the air. But I thought it was important to document my failures as well as my successes...because even though I have good intentions, not everything works! Sometimes the fabric/pattern combo trips you up...sometimes the fabric/fit combo doesn't work...I'm sure you know what I mean! *smile*
Anyway, I'm onto my next project so stay tuned...
...as always more later!
First though let's recap ~
I purchased three panels of the Chado Ralph Rucci Wool Doubleknit fabric from Moods NYC store after seeing it on Moods' Instagram feed. Initially I had no idea what I would make with it. After deciding upon the dress, I still had quite a bit of yardage left. So I thought a jacket and skirt combo would allow me to play with the purple stripe that's a main feature of this fabric. My last post was about the dress so this one is all about the suit.
The Fail...
I chose a jacket pattern that I'd used before - Vogue 8209 which is out of print - because the lines worked well with the fabric. All of the construction details for the jacket are in this post. This jacket is unlined without any closures. The fabric doesn't really need a lining and that works well with my pattern choice.
Just like the dress, pattern placement was the key to using the fabric effectively. For the jacket I ran the purple stripes down the front and then used the leftover pieces of fabric to cut the sleeves. I thought it would add some interest to the jacket.
However, after taking these photos, I realized that I would NEVAH EVAH wear these two pieces together, they really are "too artsy" for my workplace. But I did realize that I could separate the pieces and wear them with other garments from my wardrobe.
The jacket pictured with a black ponte dress from my closet...
The Win...
I went with my TNT straight skirt pattern for the second piece. This allowed me to come up with a suit, a suit that I now know I'm not going to wear. However, this piece will work with a black twinset that is presently in my closet and this is how I would wear it...
Honestly after allowing the jacket and skirt to sit, I will be removing the sleeves from the jacket. Even though I got the sleeves out of the remaining scraps of fabric, and it seemed like a good idea at the time, I now know it's not. One of my thoughts is to add some of the black pleather in the collection to the sleeves...it's a thought...but if I do the jacket will forever be relocated to a weekend look...so I'll see.
I love the skirt and will wear it with a black twinset because this look works for me and my lifestyle. I also have a purple twinset that will go with this skirt so with some tights and my black wedge booties it will be a great Friday look.
Either way the jacket needs to be revamped, so that it can become a viable member of my wardrobe or dissembled to see if there is another option for it.
In conclusion...
The dress and the skirt were the best items made from the Chado Ralph Rucci wool doubleknit fabric. The jacket is still up in the air. But I thought it was important to document my failures as well as my successes...because even though I have good intentions, not everything works! Sometimes the fabric/pattern combo trips you up...sometimes the fabric/fit combo doesn't work...I'm sure you know what I mean! *smile*
Anyway, I'm onto my next project so stay tuned...
...as always more later!