Charlotte Skirt (and a Crop Top)

In case you didn't notice when I posted about my spring floral dress, I am already thinking ahead to spring and summer. Us sewing girls have to think ahead and make items well in advance of the season in which we plan to wear them if we want to finish them in time. So way back at the beginning of January I made myself a Pencil Skirt using the Charlotte Skirt pattern from By Hand London. I bought the printed pattern (I always prefer a pre-printed pattern) but you can now download a pdf version too if you'd rather.

The pencil skirt is a favourite shape of mine, in fact I think it flatters just about any woman on the planet. Since it isn't always the most practical of shapes when you have pre-school kids I made it in a slightly stretchy fabric to give me that little extra freedom of movement. I have actually worn it a few times already although usually more like this:

So I don't catch frostbite. I am already finding it a super versatile item so I can definitely give it the 'capsule wardrobe' seal of approval.

The crop top was sort of an accidental make. Do you remember this stripy tee? Well I obviously didn't pre-wash the fabric enough because it shrunk in the wash. Bummer.

Now clearly it didn't go straight from a long sleeve, regular length top straight to a short sleeve crop-top just in the washing machine, I did have to put some effort in. I took the hem up to about 2 inches above my belly button and cut the 'not quite full length sleeves' to short sleeves. I also took the top in at the side seems so that you couldn't see straight up it. Not exactly sure how some one would end up in a position where they could do that but it made me feel more comfortable nonetheless. The skirt has had a few outings but the top is yet to be seen in public. I don't quite feel comfortable enough for that yet! Hopefully when it gets hotter (when not if) then I'll be desperate to wear it more. Only then will it too be granted the capsule wardrobe status.

At the moment I am having a bit of a denim day so hopefully I can show you the fruits of my labour soon. Zoe x

Self Drafted Spotty Pencil Skirt

After attempting to draft a pattern for a top I thought I would have a go at making myself a pencil skirt. This time I used a combination of a skirt I owned and my measurements to make sure it would be the right fit once I had finished. The results were much better. When I wore it out I was complemented on it and they didn't ask 'did you make it yourself?' which is a sure sign it looks good ;).

The skirt is already slightly crinkled because I had been wearing it all morning by the time I took the pictures. If I was a contestant on the Great British Sewing Bee I think the judges would be fairly happy though, the patterns line up really well at the side and back seems. At this stage my pattern drafting isn't quite up to writing a tutorial for it though so you will have to wait a little while before I share that. I would definitely make myself another pencil skirt though. Have you started making your own clothes yet? I love looking at what others have sewn together so please share if you have. Zoe xx