Tuesday, September 8, 2009

McCall's 5523 - Aqua tweed skirt - Wardrobe contest garment #2

This is my second piece for the wardrobe contest over at Patternreview.com. Looks really simple, right? That's what I thought. I can knock this off in a day, I told myself. Well, it was too big in the waist and then too small in the hips. I take it in here and let it out there, but that messes up the line and I have to go back and fix something else. Three days and lots of tweaks later I finally have it completed.

This is a looser woven fabric and frayed like no body's business. But no worries, I lined it, so all those strings are contained on the inside. The fabric was bought last spring from JoAnn's. It was part of their "Monaco" collection. I loved a bunch of that line, so bought lots when they marked it down.

I really like the peekaboo back to this skirt. You think it's straight until you see the rear view and get a little surprise. I'll be making the pleated version at some time, especially now that I've got the fit ironed out. I wanted this skirt to end at my knees, so I doubled the petite length adjustment. That way the back flounce didn't have to be shortened any.

Here's the side invisible zipper and chocolate brown lining I added. I used this really silky upscale lining - also from JoAnn's - I think they call it "newberg". It's $8.99/yard but I always use a coupon. I use to not care about the quality of my linings but I think I'm turning into a slight fabric snob. :)

Here you can see the lines of the back flounce a little better. For the lining I cut the same pieces as the outer fabric and used the facings for interfacing.

And that's that. Two down, eight to go. Up next is Butterick 5284. I'm making view C with the sleeves of A and darts of B. Why do two of these blouses have darts and two don't? Notice they all look tapered in the waist. Whatever. I'm using the white poplin. You can never have too many white blouses, right?

20 comments:

  1. The shape and colour work well on you. I'm always happy to find out about new patterns or older ones that I wasn't aware of. Your outfit is screaming for a matching jacket. Do you have any more of the tweed?

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  2. You have so much patience. I probably would have given up on this. But you did it, and it looks great on you, as always.

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  3. I forgot to mention that I love the top with it.

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  4. Great fit with the skirt and it looks fantastic with your blouse. As Gail said do you have enough for a jacket?

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  5. That's exactly the kind of skirt I had been looking for. Just added it to my ever-growing list of patterns to buy. I am just a bit worried about the fitting issues you mentioned.
    The first 2 pieces of your wardrobe are wonderful!

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  6. I love the tweed fabric, what a great color! And the pattern is perfect for it. Great skirt!

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  7. Very pretty skirt. Your persistence really paid off.

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  8. You are a far more patient sewer than me! Love the skirt, a classic style with a twist. I think how a lining feels is really important, it's ok to be snobby about these things!

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  9. Wow, you're making really good progress with your wardrobe. The blouse and the skirt work well together stylewise, imo.

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  10. Thanks for all the great comments, ladies. No, I do not have enough fabric for a matching jacket. But I do have plans for a coordinating jacket in brown. So it will have the same suit effect. DON"T be afraid of this pattern!!! It's a great one. It's me that's the problem - I always seem to turn easy projects into difficult ones.

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  11. Love the skirt. It looks wonderful with the blouse. I think I have this pattern in my stash. I'm going to give it a try after seeing how beautiful yours turned out.

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  12. That skirt is too cute. It looks great on you!

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  13. Cute skirt! I love the colors. I think I saw this fabric at Joann's, too, but it wasn't on sale when I saw it. :( Oh well... I'm glad you got to make a gorgeous skirt out of it!

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  14. The fabric is really pretty - so perfect for fall. I also really like the variations on that pattern. May have to pick that one up. You did a great job on the skirt!

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  15. Love the skirt. Good luck in the contest.

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  16. Terrific skirt! Love the flounce. And you are right--a girl can never have too many white blouses!

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  17. Lovely skirt and the blouse looks great with it.

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  18. Very pretty outfit. A brown jacket with that aqua tweed skirt is going to look so rich. I'm still scared of this pattern:)

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  19. Love the outfit - the colour is so pretty.

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  20. Love that skirt and it's perfect with the top.

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