Monday 8 July 2013

FO x 2. Gerties pencil skirt and Banksia top

Hiiiii

So another couple of finished objects.

The skirt is navy cotton, and collects fluff like no ones business ! Its Gerties pencil skirt from her book, except I made a much thinner waistband. It is underlined in green cotton voile and  lined (my first attempt at lining) with navy bemberg. I used a button instead of a snap this time and hand sewed the button hole. My Singer is useless at buttonholes !! I also used my favorite zipper insertion method, and picked it in by hand.

I love this skirt pattern ! Of course its been adjusted, but its almost perfect now. I find that 2 darts give a much more flattering look than the 1 dart look on the Frankenstein skirts.

The banksia  top is made with star print cotton. I love this top and am going to make several more. I had to grade the pattern (of course ! never easy !!) Since making and wearing the shirt, I have added a smidge of a full bust adjustment and added a little more room in the shoulder area.  I'm looking forward to seeing these changes in the next version I sew up (in white silk crepe in case you are interested).

I didn't have enough fabric to make this one with front and back pieces cut on the fold, so I added a seam allowance to the back piece, and cut 2.

I did make muslins for both of these items.I had to move the darts quite a bit on the banksia. But I find that I do continue to tweak the pattern until it is just so. Isn't that the cool thing about sewing ? That you can make changes each time to make the fit perfect.

So without further ado....



Some close ups....






I must admit that I wear the shirt more than I wear the skirt - but that's due to the magnetic attraction this skirt seems to have for any dust or sh1t floating around. And the fabric wrinkles like a bitch. Very irritating !!  :-)

But check out the little foxes. Awesome. grrrrrrr

Cheerio

K xxx

11 comments:

  1. You fox! Very nice FOs! I've heard so many great things about this skirt - it seems to work for everybody. It's on my list, even though as a housewife, I have next to no use for a pencil skirt!!

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    1. Um I think you will find that NO self respecting house wife should be without a whole selection of pencil skirts ! They are especially appropriate for when you are hosting a cocktail soiree :-))

      It is a lovely skirt to make, I've made several now, and still am not ready to stop ! My favorite is a denim one which I am wearing today, very versatile and perfect in a slightly stretch denim. Im looking forward to seeing your Elisalex !! get sewing !! ;-))) xx

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  2. Love them both! To be honest, I wasn't that keen on the banksia pattern after seeing it on other bloggers, but I think you may have convinced me to try it. What type of cotton fabric did you use? It looks fairly lightweight with a bit of drape.

    Great work :) inspiring me to stop procrastinating and finish my winter vogue 1027 before winter is over!

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    1. OOOOO get it finished and lets have a peep !! :-)

      I must admit I LOVE the banksia top and will sew it again for sure.

      I guess this cotton is kinda shirting weight, maybe even the tiniest bit heaver ! Im thinking a more floaty fabric for my next one, but the shirting weight defo works well. I also played around with the sleeves and made them shorter and more tapered as I preferred the look. I think that the basic shape minus the collar and placket would make a nice shell top for summer and if I can find some lace around these parts that is what I would make one up in :-)

      I hope you do take the plunge and make it up, I would sure love to see it :-))
      XX

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    2. So vogue 1027 was a flop. I'll try it again at some point, but now I'm thinking of trying Gertie's pencil skirt. You've inspired me (and I have a job interview on Wednesday!). I'm a bit nervous, and being a fantastic procrastinator I'm using that nervousness as an excuse :)

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  3. I LOVE this outfit, you clever stick! and the shoes are perfect too. x

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    1. Awww thank you soooo much :)) now I just need to get one of your beautiful foxes to go with it :)) xx

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  4. Wow, someone HAS been super busy sewing! Love that Banksia top and the cute fabric you chose!!

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  5. Hiiiiii Jill :)) thank you for the lovely compliment. I must admit I do love this top and wear it weekly :) I'm always stoked when I remember that I made it myself. Xx

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  6. Lovely work!! The blouse is divine in that star print :)

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    1. Thank you :-)I must admit that I love the fabric/blouse combo and this top is in constant rotation, which makes me happy ! Thanks for stopping by xx

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