Monday 5 December 2011

Last work outfits for 2011!!!

It is that time ... the last week of work for the year!!! 
2011 Work Year virtually ticked off. 
One more week and then 6 glorious weeks of rest and relaxation -
read sewing, sewing, sewing
Usually at this time of year I am ultra busy at school -  testing, writing reports, tidying up loose ends, but for some reason this year school life is well and truly under control. So under control I actually had plenty of time this weekend to sew. 
Even though I have more than enough mix and match outfits to see me out for 1 more week, I naturally want to wear something 'new' to the class party, and also for the last day of school. Mind you it is a bit silly to be wearing something new on the last day - clean-up day - so will probably wear it on the second last day. Last day is typically 'daggy old day', filled with scrubbing desks and tidy trays.


Back to the latest outfits. Have had 2 beautiful pieces of fabric watching me for most of the year, just enough in each to make a couple of quick skirts. Nothing exciting or creative, but just good solid skirts that will see me through for a few years to come. And small bonus that the same pattern will serve both pieces of fabric - different styles, different fabrics.
Pattern is an oldie pushed to the back of the pattern boxes...Butterick 4686, six sew easy skirts in one packet. Must have picked this one up back in the 2005/ 06/ 07 era. 13 reviews on PR all seem to put this one in the 'easy & great for beginners' and 'great wardrobe builder' categories so it should be ideal for my needs this time. 

First skirt off the rack - I followed View B, a pleated skirt with side zipper. No rocket science moments to report in the making of this one. No muslin needed as with all the pleats it is super easy to tweak it to your shape.

The sewing of the pleats around the yoke certainly have a slimming effect on the flabby mid-drift area. EveS from PR noted in her brilliant rendition of this skirt that the pleats all faced the same way, and I agree with her totally on this. Though decided after pinning that with my fabric this didn't show up, so I left the pleats as per the pattern. But I think this needs to be considered depending on your fabric choice.

Only two minor changes to the pattern...

I used an invisible zipper so that the left hip area lay as flat as the right hip area - purely for aesthetic reasons.

Lengthened the skirt to fall just below my calves. Not much else to bore you with over this skirt - quite simply a great easy to wear skirt!!!

Second whip-up of this pattern was using View E - flared below mid-knee skirt, back zipper and trim.
The wind blew and made the hemline wonky!!!
A few little tweeks to this version as well -
First off I used the selvedge of the fabric for the trim between yoke and skirt. It had a lovely woolly look and feel to it and I just couldn't throw it away.

Next I fully interlined my skirt in white to give it a little more body.

Yet again, another invisible zipper popped in - think I should look at taking out market shares in the invisible zipper company. I certainly am supporting this niche in the sewing industry big time!!!

So that is all there is to this pattern - so quick and easy it is embarrassing. At least I know, as usual, that what I won't see the same thing in the staffroom at lunchtime. And yes, it has happened several times this year to others. Two people in the same dresses on the same day - and neither will ever wear their dresses again. So not only have they spent money on a store purchased dress, it now sits in their wardrobes in shame. Who said sewing was a waste of money???

10 comments:

  1. I can't decidewhich one I like better, so just make me one of each, please! Very pretty and swirly work.....

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  2. It seems strange that you're running up summer skirts (with PERFECT zips!) while I'm working with wool and tweeds. That second skirt is just beautiful - the fabric, the construction and all enhanced with your little tweeks. Hope you have the weather to wear them!

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  3. Thanks Ruth!!! 28 glorious degrees here today, and the temperature rising!!! Cool cotton summer skirts are the go for the next 4 months at least. As for your ‘wool and tweeds’, well I am breaking out in a sweat just thinking about thicker fabric. So from one side of the pond to the other, hope you have the cold weather to wear them...

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  4. Living in New England, I find it refreshing to see these colorful skirts. Great work on each of them!
    Thank you for posting to my blog. It's how I found you! I see you've made some Marcy Tilton things. I'll have to take a look at them, as she's one of my style gurus.

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  5. I love that second skirt - the fabric is so cool! and I love the detail of using the selvage!

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  6. Those are both great skirts. Love the print of the last one, particularly. Nice sewing!

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  7. Does Santa Claus where a woolly red fur-trimmed suit in the antipodes or red trunks edged with fur? (question from teenage son)

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  8. Answer (from teenage son) - you would figure it would be too hot to wear the old red and white suit, should he whip out the red Speedo's as he crosses the equator??? But no, poor old Santa sweats it out (like the rest of us) in the traditional red and white garb. Santa in budgie smugglers evokes tragic mind pictures ha ha ha!!!

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  9. OK apart from the spellcheck being wrong - (wear) poor Santa. Lucky you and your cottons.

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  10. I love both skirts. But the second one is my favorite..I love the quick skirts.. And I too... know that feeling of "not having to worry that anyone ,will show up wearing that one..love it."
    My daughter is a high school history teacher..Today is her last day and off for 2 wks.. She is excited too..

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