Sewaholic 1401: Gabriola Skirt

I've had this pattern since it came out but seeing Julia Bobbins gorgeous skirt made me get it out and get started!
After making the vogue 1247 skirt I really like a straight waistband on me, it makes the skirt hang better and doesn't give the fitting nightmares that I've had on skirts before. All this is missing is some pockets, with all those seam lines on the yoke its crying out for a hidden pocket or two....next time!

Size wise: I used the size 16 and graded up at the waist to about a sz 20. I think this has to be the most easiest skirt to fit I've ever made because I made no other adjustments.

The blue fabric is a rayon from Spotlight, I didn't have quite enough (2.5m of 112cm wide) so I made the skirt side panels less flared at the bottom and used a black cotton poplin for the yoke inserts and waistband. I do wish I'd used a more thicker fabric on the yoke and waistband, it does feel a bit flimsy and could do with a bit more heft. Its showing up pretty lurid on my monitor, but its just a nice bright blue in real life.

The waistband called for interfacing but I used elastic instead.

I love how fitted it is at the waist and hips and how swishy it is to wear, it really is a fantastic pattern and I can see a few more makes in my future!

Vogue 1247: Denim Skirt

I feel like I'm the last person to make this pattern up - I've admired the skirt on so many of my favourite bloggers and finally picked up the pattern when Spotlight did one of their very rare $5 pattern sales.

The pattern goes up to a sz 18 (38-32-42), so I had to grade up about 8" - I did a really simple grade by just adding 2" to each of  the side seams. This made the pockets a bit too close together at the front so I widened them to make it look balanced. Lengthened it by about 4"

I took a wedge out of the front length for my tilted waist. Not sure if I should have taken more out or changed the front darts a bit though because it bunches up when I wear it over leggings, can't see it if I wear my top untucked though.

 

This is my second version of this skirt - first version was a lovely ikat cotton, it was just too thin though and didn't sit right. The fabric here is a medium weight denim I picked up from a clearing sale. Its lovely and soft, and I used hug and snug binding to do the seams inside.

 

Its a lot shorter than I'd usually wear a skirt, but since I normally wear skirts over leggings I thought I'd challenge myself!

Member in focus on pattern review

When I started sewing one of the first sites I found and joined was Pattern Review, so its a bit of a thrill to be the member in focus this week! Please head over and have a look (I must admit all I can focus on is my photos and how I need to play with the settings again on my camera!)

I am so behind on blogging my latest makes, I've had great sewing mojo lately and am flying through projects but just haven't taken any full photos yet, but here's a couple of sneak peeks;

Swoon Patterns: Scarf neck cardigan

I've been searching for a waterfall cardigan pattern for ages, I have a couple of RTW ones that I wear a lot to work that need replacing. I saw this pattern on Thornberry's blog and it seemed to fit all my wants plus a couple more - its a free download (!!!) and it has princess seams.

I cut a sz L and did a 1" FBA. I changed the hem to suit my RTW cardi's, I don't find long cardi's very flattering on me so I like them to sit shorter at the back and sides.

The fabric is a thin rayon jersey from Rathdowne fabrics, its sort of a grey/purple/brown colour.

I left the front centre hem raw and twin needled the bottom hem. I made it all on my serger except for the hem, its a very quick make!

 

It could do with the shoulders being narrowed next time, but its a casual style and I don't think its that noticeable.