The Skills Test Outfit (aka The Pink Sweater)

I know it’s been awhile, but life happens. Anyway, I recently applied for a job at a local community college, and I have a pre-interview skills test I need to take this week. This is just a test, so I’m not going to wear a suit. But, I might encounter someone who has some control over whether or not I’m hired. So, I need to dress nicely. Time for a new outfit!

I recently took up crocheting again, and made myself a cute hat and neck warmer in brown and pink. Since it’s cold, I decided I want my outfit to match my new accessories. So pink and brown are the theme. I already have a lovely brown moleskin skirt, although it’s a little big on me since I’ve lost a bit of weight. But I have nothing suitable for the top of my outfit. So off to Goodwill I go. I found a lovely dark pink sweater for just $2.70, but as you can see in the picture below, it’s a bit big on me!

The sleeves are too long and the neckline is definitely too low! I can’t wear it anywhere like this…

So I got out the scissors and started cutting! I cut off the sleeves, then raised the neckline at the shoulders by sewing the shoulder seams about an 1” deeper from neckline to armhole. I cut off the excess fabric, and then tried on the sleeves. I estimated about where I wanted my cuffs to fall and then cut a chunk off the top of the sleeves to make it happen. I then sewed the sleeves back into the armholes. After trying on the sweater again, I discovered that the sleeves were still too long! I didn’t want to take them out and recut, so I just re-sewed the armholes with a wider seam allowance. And then I tapered the sleeves at the cuff end so they hugged my wrists more tightly. Problem solved.

Finally, I checked for snags and put the sweater in the wash. I washed exactly how I plan to treat in the future: only my suits get special treatment at my house, everything else is wash and wear.

Maybe I should have washed it before I altered it, because when I pulled it out of the dryer, it had shrunk! Lucky, lucky me, though. It had shrunk the perfect amount and now fits me perfectly!

Here I am dressed up: I’m even wearing heels and stockings! Forgive the picture quality.

And guess what? Those stockings are another remake! I’m wearing a garter belt, but the stockings came with a nasty, heavy elastic top that hurts, the very reason I bought a garter belt in the first place! So I cut off the tops, sewed a lip for the belt to grab, and tada! Pain-free stockings. Yay!

And I promised pics of my new hat and scarf, so here they are:

Hmm, the scarf really brings the outfit together! Maybe I’ll just leave it on…

So what you think? Looking professional for tomorrow?