Hello Again!

I have to admit that I once used this beautiful fabric as a tablecloth for a dinner. Luckily nobody spilled wine or anything on it, but even if that happened, I could probably pretend that the stains were part of the painted design. For that, this was the perfect fabric for a tablecloth. 

However, I wanted it to be a skirt. 

Fabric: Hand-painted canvas-ish cotton purchased from Emma One Sock  
Lining: Polyester or acetate lining fabric purchased from Fabric Mart
Pattern: Skirt from my TNT dress (modified Vogue 8555 - out of print) plus belt from Vogue 1247
Cardigan: Elie Tahari

To support the hemline, I first thought of applying fusible interfacing. However, when I opened up my interfacing bag, I discovered few other choices: silk organza, netting, and a bias strip of hair canvas. I grabbed the hair canvas simply because it was ready to use. 

I was happy to see that the hem interfacing made a difference in the overall silhouette of the skirt.  

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone! 

Yet Another Vogue 1247 Skirt

One of the perks of being petite is that we need less fabric (Yes!). I was able to cut both a dress (Simplicity 2648) and a skirt from 2 yards of 60"- width fabric.

The skirt pattern is a good old Vogue 1247. I still wear my orange (Vogue 1247 Rachel Comey Outfit) and white (Vogue 1247 White Skirt) V1247 skirts quite often so why not add a printed version to my wardrobe?

I added the length even more to my already elongated TNT to make the most of the beautiful cascading print. The hem hits at the lower part of my knee.

Just so you know, if you are careful and always place an on-fold piece on fold, your skirt front should not have a center seam. You see, mine does... go figure. 

Lastly, saving money is never a purpose of my sewing (always fabric first!) but getting both a dress and a skirt of great quality fabric for less than $50 is no doubt a steal - especially when those garments are custom fit!

*** 

Leo thinks Arizona is too hot already... 

Happy sewing, everyone!

Vogue 1247 Little Black Skirt

My third and last Vogue 1247 skirt is done!

Fabric: Theory stretch cotton twill
Lining: Stretch polyester charmeuse
Both from Mood Fabrics

Although this skirt is made from cotton, black color makes the skirt look heavy and hot. I probably wear white version more often in early/mid summer then gradually switch to black in late summer. (I think dark orange version can be worn year round.) If I add a jacket/coat, tights, and boots it can be worn in fall/winter in mild climate like Arizona.

Some coordinate:

1. American Eagle knit top knock off (blogged here)

2. 5/48 chiffon blouse

If you have read my previous post on Vogue 1247 White Skirt, you have already seen these tops in coordinate 3 and 4. They are pretty versatile pieces to pair with either black or white.

3.Lafayette 148 silk knit top

4. M Missoni knit top

5. Missoni for Target cardigan which I share with my daughter

While I was browsing Neiman Marcus website for more black skirt coordinate idea, I came across this little number called Circus Lovin' Skirt by Nanette Lepore. If I look at only its silhouette, it is almost identical to my Vogue 1247! Styling a black skirt with purple and neon green is eccentric for me but I think the top is darn cute.

Source: Neiman Marcus

So, I completed three casual skirts. I am very happy that each skirt works pretty well with what I have in my closet.

After working with three cuts of solid cotton, I am having a gorgeous-fabric withdrawal right now! If you are a fabric-holic like me, you know what I mean. My next project must involve something oh-so-fabulous... Perhaps like this:

It is Carolina Herrera sheer basket-weave silk from Mood Fabrics. I am excited to work on this beauty!

Until next time, cheers to you all!

Vogue 1247 White Skirt

Hello everyone! Today I am going to show you three summer coordinates I came up with my new skirt. It is my second Vogue 1247 skirt - this time in white stretch cotton sateen. (You can see my first Vogue 1247 skirt in orange here.)


1. My good old M Missoni knit top which I re-sized from size 16 to size 0.

2. Lafayette 148 Silk jersey top and turquoise-ish beads which I bought during my recent Sedona trip. Orange and turquoise also works well with white. 

3. ... and of course my yellow Milly knit top 

I was glad to see that this skirt worked well with fitted tops as well as loose-fitting style.

The lining is stretch charmeuse. Its weight is similar to the lining of RTW Elie Tahari skirt which I have worn very often this spring. Silky lining is smooth to my skin and makes putting the skirt on and off easy.

 

Fabric: Theory cotton sateen

Lining: Polyester stretch charmeuse
Both from Mood Fabrics

 

Until next time, cheers to you all!

Vogue 1247 Rachel Comey Outfit

There was a reason why I was in such a hurry to finish up my orange skirt last weekend. I wanted to wear it on my mini vacation in Sedona.

Vogue 1247 Top and Skirt

Vogue 1247 Top and Skirt

The skirt sits slightly above my natural waist. The length is 4" longer than the original pattern. (Blogged here.) I like its A-line shape. It is not too triangle yet so comfortable - especially when I sit. Driving in this skirt was no problem at all.

For the detail on the top, please go to my previous post.

I came to realize that basic skirt did not have to be in neutral color. This orange skirt is surprisingly versatile. I can match many of my tops with this skirt because my top often includes orange in its design. 

Vogue 1247 Skirt Front

 

Vogue 1247 Skirt Back


I did not do Hong Kong finish on seam allowance but lined the skirt instead. I loved the result. I even wished I had made this skirt reversible.

Vogue 1247 Skirt Inside

Pattern: Vogue 1247

Fabric: Calvin Klein cotton sateen from Michael's Fabric.

Lining: J Crew cotton lawn from Sawyer Brook.

(I blogged about those fabrics here.)


I will post some pictures from Grand Canyon trip next time. Until then, cheers to you all!

Vogue 1247 Skirt Length

I have been working on Vogue 1247 skirt.

The skirt length is 15" for all sizes. How short is that? Take a look at the skirt currently sold at saks.com. Note that the model shown is 5'10" (177cm) wearing US size 4.

Source: Saks Fifth Avenue

Source: Saks Fifth Avenue

Here is the product description quoted from Saks' website:

"Rachel Comey Oyster Bar Mini Skirt

 Angled stripes converge on this high-waisted mini crafted from lightweight linen.

• High waistband
• Front slit pockets
• Side zipper
• About 15  3/4" long
• Linen
• Dry clean
• Made in USA of imported fabric

$391.00 "

...

So, the Saks version is 3/4" longer than the Vogue 1247.

Now here is Vogue 1247 muslin on me who is 8" shorter than the model. I added 2" to the length and the skirt in the picture was not hemmed. The hem is 2" i.e. what you are seeing in the picture is 19" skirt in pattern size 6 on 5'2" person.

I joined two back pieces into one to simplify the construction.

I was happy with the fit and liked the length of unhemmed skirt. I decided to add 4" to the original pattern, however, if you are in 20's in real age or at heart and have legs to show off, go for 15" length!

By the end of the day, I cut three skirts in orange, white, and black. You can see that I have a good feeling about this skirt pattern already. The pattern instructs you to do Hong Kong finish on all the visible seam allowance, which is really nice, but I am going to line the skirt instead.

Guess what? I cut two more sets! One is Vogue 1247 top which I said I did not want to make again. The top I made (click here to go to the post) was super comfortable to wear, I decided to give it one more chance. Again, it is slippery silk charmeuse, but this time it is much thinner. I also managed to cut Vogue 1177 Anna Sui Dress. This one will take long time... There were so many details on Vogue 1177, I did not finish marking.

Orange skirt is already done! I will post the detail next time. Until then, cheers to you all!