2 Leopard Skirts- S1786 & BurdaStyle 01/2013 #115

Hope you All enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday!!!! Mine was great! I had family visiting from out of town and we had a blast! I LOVE playing hostess! Well the 3 days I had guest there was no sewing. Actually my sewing room was converted into a bedroom which surprisingly worked out well. Anyhow as soon as the guest were gone I thought I'd churn out a project--specifically Simplicity 1786 for my daughter. I made the Burda Style leopard sweater knit skirt over a couple of weeks ago for my Burda Style "Knit Picky". I like these 2 projects and they were pretty quick to make. Here are the reviews.....Also, don't forget I celebrated my 4th Blogoversary on Thanksgiving and am hosting an awesome GIVEAWAY. You can find the details at the link HERE.

BurdaStyle 01/2013 #115 (from the BurdaStyle website)

Time to Sew:

Less than 2 hours

Sewing Ease (scale 1 easy to 10 difficult):

2

Pattern Description:

Skirt with drawstring 

Pattern Sizing:

I think I cut the smallest size......

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes, minus the changes I made to it.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yep!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Loved the easy style!

Fabric Used:

Leopard print sweater knit

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I made the the casing and drawstring out of the sweater knit instead of washed silk

What would you do differently next time?:

Nothing. I'd make it with the changes I implemented.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes, it's a great wardrobe builder.

Wardrobe Versatility:

It can be work with tights, leggings, cardigans or jacket.

Conclusion:

Super cute skirt!

Simplicity 1786

Time to Sew:

About 2 hours normally but I was watching TV and distracted! LOL!

Sewing Ease (scale 1 easy to 10 difficult):

2

Pattern Description:

Vest and knit elastic waist skirt

Pattern Sizing:

I cut size 7 for my daughter

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Sorta! The vest looks alot wider in the picture and I don't think that's solely due to the use of a fur.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I liked the simple style. Thought it would be a great pattern to showcase a wild fabric. I dislike how much narrower the vest was then in the photo and how wide the skirt was. I had to take it in a good deal.

Fabric Used:

Electric blue leopard print velboa

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I took out at least 4" in skirt width. It ran BIG!

What would you do differently next time?:

Make pattern changes to the skirt and vest

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Probably, but I'd want to make additional changes to the skirt and vest.

Wardrobe Versatility:

The pieces can be used as separates.

Conclusion:

Cute outfit!

A Weekend of Repeats---McCall's 5394 & 6654

It's been a week of steady sewing. I've been at work on some great wardrobe builder pieces---2 ponte knit skirts, 2 leggings, and a cowl neck top. Below are 2 of the pieces that are finished and the other pieces are near complete. I would've had them finished but I took a couple of hours to study draping and pattern drafting. No, my new draping book haven't arrived yet so I relied on my older editions. The concepts are definitely becoming clearer and I'm finding myself dissecting RTW designs and thinking of my own alot more easier. I have to admit it's alot of fun!!!!Anyway, I digress. The 2 pieces I sewed, shown below, are repeats. I can definitely say they are my TNT legging and knit pencil skirt patterns.

McCall 5394

McCall's 5394. You may recall I made 2 pairs HERE. These are my "imitation leather" leggings. They're not pleather, but instead a stretchy fabric I found in the dance/activewear section at Jo-Ann's. From a distance it looks like leather but up close you can see all the sparkle in it. I love the effect. And I won't have to worry about sweating too much in these.

(see the mini sparkles in the fabric.)

McCall 6654

It was a little cool this morning so I wore my newly sewn ponte skirt with a black top and scarf. Excuse my squinting---think I had too much sun in my eyes. I first made this skirt HERE. Here's an upclose of the fabric.....

Ok, that's just 2 of the 5 pieces I'm working on. I'll post the others later as I wear them. The FEARLESS FEBRUARY Sew-Along (details HERE) is less than a week away and I'm nearly done with my planning. I'm so excited!!! Can't wait to unveil my sewing plans. And I can't wait to see yours. It's not too late to join in if you haven't already!!! Until next time, happy sewing!!!!

Mother/Daughter Snow Leopard Skirts-McCall 6654

The cold weather finally gave me the motivation to sew this skirt (and boy was it cold today---and rainy.) And I'm happy I did because it was quick to make and turned out pretty cute. I had a few scraps so I thought it would be fun to make my "Wee-One" a version too. Truth be told she has VERY few winter clothes. She's just grown out of most everything recently so I needed something for her to wear to church. It's amazing you feed them and they actually grow---just like little weeds. Who knew? LOL! Anyhow, this was a fun and quick project (began/finished last night). And I definitely see more of these in my future. Here's the review......

McCall 6654

Time to Sew:

It really only take an hour or so. I came home after a movie and grocery shopping and whipped both up. Stopped a few times to make dinner and do a few other things. Mostly made on my serger and I used a small zigzag stitch to add the waistband. I whipped my daughters up using a scrap piece of fabric cut to fit around her. I serged the one side seam and folded down upper edge of skirt for elastic casing and hemmed it. Super simple. All pretty quick.

Sewing Ease (scale 1 easy to 10 difficult):

A 1 for sure.

Pattern Description:

Elastic waist skirt

Pattern Sizing:

I made a size 14

(front view)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

YES!

Were the instructions easy to follow?

YES!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Cute little skirts are a staple for winter. I love to pair them with tights & boots.

Fabric Used:

Snow leopard print ponte I picked up on a clearance table at Hancock Fabrics a few weeks ago.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

None.

(back view)

What would you do differently next time?:

I won't attach the elastic per the instructions. Instead I'll leave an opening at the base of the waistband and feed the elastic through---sewing the opening of the waistband once finished.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Oh YES!!!! I need lots of these cute little skirt in my wardrobe.

Wardrobe Versatility:

I like to wear little skirts with these with tights or even leggings. A cute top or sweater works well and I like to add a scarf to add layers and even pops of color.

(side view)

Conclusion:

Cute & quick skirt pattern! Definitely a wardrobe staple:)