'Just a work skirt' (not)...

So my darling daughter asks if I could whip her up a new skirt for work. Her request was for a skirt, just above knee length, in black. Nothing fancy – ‘it’s just for work’ she informs me. Naturally I jump at the chance - a valid excuse to sew!!!

Within 5 minutes I am holed up in my sewing room rummaging through the pattern stash. Finally found a pattern I had been meaning to try myself. Simplicity 2451 – 2 skirts in 2 lengths. Great excuse now to give it a go.

Within the hour I had flown down to the local fabric store to grab the required fabric and bits and pieces needed. Already I am picturing my (OK her) skirt completed, with button detail and a trendy exposed zipper at the back.

First thing was to lengthen the skirt pattern and for this I added on an extra 12cm throughout the bottom section of the skirt. My daughter is 188cm tall so has never really been able to pop into a shop and pick up a massed produced skirt at a suitable length. So this skirt will be at the exact length she wants/needs.

Other than that nothing exciting to report about this pattern that many, many others haven’t written about on PR. But I will just add that it was a breeze to sew and did indeed just fall into place. What a pity it was relegated to the ‘just for work’ label before it was even created.

So details. First I added an extra ribbon layer to the pocket edge. This was to provide extra support ‘at work’ for when pens, paperclips, keys etc are always stored in the pocket. The edge won’t stretch out of shape now.

Jazzed up the waistband area with 2 tabs on the front with pretty buttons, and also on the back waistband, above the zipper. Deliberately didn’t take the zipper right up to the top of the waistband, but choose buttons for extra strength for ‘at work’.

Sewed the front pleats down 4cm and 3cm respectively to give a little more shape to the front tummy area. They did tend to poke out a bit.

Added an exposed zipper to the back instead of my favourite invisible zipper as I felt it had a younger, more trendy look for her age.

Verdict: A winner!!! Yah, and it is ‘just a work’ skirt, so I won’t get any more excited over it. Just a work skirt, indeed.

And just for a laugh, I started taking these photo's outside in the beautiful Queensland outdoors - but then came along the wind just as I had it all set up ready to go.

Daughter will return home tomorrow and hopefully I can grab a photo of her in the skirt on the way to work...
Some people asked about the exposed zipper I used, here is a link to the tutorial that I followed

Burda 7508

I had this linen fabric in my stash for a year or so now, with the original intention of making a dress. But instead, plans change, and I have whipped up two tops instead, which I need much more for work at the moment.

First use of the fabric went to...Burda 7508 View A

and here is my version of the top...

Ok, doesn't suit jeans, but my intention is to have it as a work top. And with this neckline I don't have to worry about a necklace as the feature is built in. Just have to add a few chunky bracelets and away I go!!!
The front button and neck details...

My full review can be seen at PatternReview. All in all this is a quick and easy top with a few interesting design features. It suits this soft linen and will certainly be worn this coming school term.

Sewing Room Brain Blitz...

Recently the sewing room had a mini-makeover. Brilliant, but a few minor hiccups have resulted, one being a major problem. The new doors are beautiful staggered doors to open up the room...

Downside is that I have lost the door handle and hooks on the back of the old door which always had been in full use with 'under construction' garments hanging in readiness.

Solution...a trip to IKEA and the purchase of a bathroom towel rail...

Now I have soooo much hanging space!!! Room for not just my current garments, but also for a few accessories (new fabric, necklaces, scarves) to motivate my next projects...The four arms are movable to accommodate a huge amount of hangers, and also it is high enough on the wall to hang long dresses or pants as needed.

How is that for thinking outside the box??? And those unfinished garments are in full view to make me guilty for not finishing them before starting the next one - where the fun is in that I don't know!!!

Oh, and one other idea was to re-use the old coffee mug holder from the kitchen for my new scissor holder. So now the family knows, finally, that if the scissors are on my stand they are not for use by others...such a hard mother, I know, but sewing scissors are taboo to others...

Ok, now that my room is gradually getting to be 'more me' I need to make an effort on those unfinished projects...

Marcy Tilton Skirt Vogue 8561

I am still on holidays and sewing strongly. Another skirt, must be something in the 'Spring-air' that is setting me off on a skirt tangent at the moment. But I am noticing a strange use of 'boring beige' of late in my sewing. Will have to watch the old colour palette closely.
Here is the cover version of Vogue 8561 by Marcy Tilton...

And here is my version...

(Not the best light for the photos, but this isn't a photo blog!!!)
Not bad, good fit and a slender line to the drape of the skirt.

As usual I tweaked the pattern a tad to suit me. The major change I made was to reduce the pocket size down by 75%. Easy enough to scan the pattern and reduce it. Originally the pocket made me feel/look very hippy and lopsided - the proportions just weren't there. But once I adjusted the pocket it did seem to look as if it belonged on my hip. And also with the pocket I sewed the button through all layers to secure the pocket down. Don't think it will ever be used as a pocket for storing anything. If you are inclined to omit the pocket altogether it would give a slimming elongated look to the front side piece - always a design feature to lookout for...

Since my fabric was a touch on the 'see-through' side I decided to save the public an unpleasant view of my silhouette and underline the skirt. After making up both the front and back sections (joining pieces as needed) I traced off one main front and back piece in a batiste fabric and basted this to the main sections. From here on I treated it all as one piece, attaching to the side and back seams as per the instructions.

As usual of late I used an invisible zipper as opposed to the stated lapped zipper. The smooth line of the back is enhanced by the invisible zipper and is also less bulky. Mind you, now that I can sew these little beasts in without any issues I am reluctant to return to the 'old' style zipper. My best investment has been my invisible zipper foot. Not a hybrid all-purpose multi-machine suitable foot (that was my first purchase that didn't work well), but the actual Janome recommended concealed zipper foot. Amazing the difference in quality.


For the topstitching I used two threads to give a bolder look, though if you can pick up the right coloured topstitching thread it would also work.

On completion of the skirt, but prior to hemming, I did hang the skirt for 48 hours to ensure all the drop that was going to happen did so. This also gave me time to cut out and start my next skirt...

Not much else for this skirt. Another easy one to accessorise to enhance the design. I found the ease and drape of the skirt from the hip area down made for a modern stylish skirt which was easy to move in. This is due to the slight excess of fabric in the front right-hand piece. So whilst the back has the flattering A-line look there is plenty of wearing/walking ease drafted into the front. Unusual in thinking, but brilliant in use!!!

McCall's 5586

Ashlee is after some new summer 'easy' tops for Uni. How funny is it when after 12 years at school, wearing the same school uniform, they now realise just how lucky they had it??? 12 years of not having to look 'in-fashion'. So quick-sew tops are top of the list.

This was at her Graduation from highschool...

I have whipped these up tonight, though Ashlee is not home. Hopefully they will be a neat little surprise in the morning. Here she is just leaving with her best friend late this afternoon, heading out to an 'Art's Academy' function. Didn't they have fun dressing up for their night out...(mind you, the lining for her dress was only sewn in mid-afternoon. Who said we wouldn't have the dress ready in time???)...

Here is McCall's 5586 in an interlock fabric, modern with cute little sunglasses strewn across the design. It really whipped up in no time...and with just 1 metre of fabric - who could complain about that..

Hopefully after a few washes the bias trim will 'mess-up' in a modern sense...

And here is the same top again, but this time in a cotton batik print. This print is just beautiful, and the photos don't do it enough credit...

This time for the feature I used the selvedge as a trim around the yoke piece. Simple but effective...

So that is it from me for tonight. Today was the first day of my 2 week holidays and the sewing is obviously well underway. This is the time I am thankful for my stash of fabulous fabric...

Vogue 7880

Ok, that time of the year to update the wardrobe in the skirt department. 'Down Under' we are coming out of our so-called Winter season and quickly heading into spring. Where does the year go??? So winter pants can be hung away, and the skirts can take over.

First new skirt of the season is Vogue 7880. An interesting design with a shaped overskirt.

My fabric choice is a very light, well draped 76% wool/21% nylon/ 3% pu blend. Now even the shop assistant was stumped at the 3%pu component of the fabric, but it is related to the stretch of the fabric. It has a very slight 'give' to it. The fabric is of Japanese origin, and of a very well produced standard. The colour is great with it not being a true dark grey, but light enough to wear the new Spring colours with. This shade of green suits it, as does the apricot colourings.

I am wondering after looking at these pictures if the skirt is a little 'high-waisted' or not. It felt perfect when wearing, but maybe it just needs a top worn out instead of tucked in. Will try that out when I next wear it.
Anyway, moving on....the back...

...and the back drape...

...and a close-up of the front...

All in all a most comfortable skirt for the mid Winter-to-Spring (early) transition time of year. Being the length that it is will make it unsuitable for most of Spring.
Next I am planning on making the same skirt (fingers crossed for this weekend) in a light weight pattern fabric ready for Spring-Summer wearing.

Model Daughter

Just wanted to post a few photos of my daughter in a few of the fantastic outfits she models at various places. All I want to do is jump up on the catwalk and check out the outfits - you know, peek at the seams and the finishing. Even snapping these few photos is frowned upon. Poor daughter is always worried that one day I might just actually do it....keeps her on her toes!!!

This first one is a lovely coat creation....fantastic colours....

But I shuddered at the 'creation' underneath...

Next is a version of 'The Wedding'. Luckily it was the headgear that was being presented....

Next up is a LBD, mind you, it is very little when you are over 6 foot tall...luckily not a breeze on the catwalk....

Now this next one I liked. The pants where a beautiful cut, but the top was creative in that the seam from underarm to waist was not sewn. Technical hitch, or creative insight. Either way, trouble if you lifted your arm....

Another wedding dress. This was just breathtaking in the use of texture on the bodice...

A better view of the front...

Back view of the LBD above....

A little sporty number....

A little revamped denim...

And yes, she even wears recycled plastic bags on request...

Loved the top details on this one...

Only a mother knows this look ...

OK, a little better from the back, but still not a winner...

And she has even been asked to model a witches outfit...it really was well made

A beautiful gold dress...

And another beautiful dress...

And just plain ugly...

But this helps make up for the last lot...

So, what a life!!! Modelling all the beautiful clothes. Well, guess I will just keep on sewing along in life....