Holiday-Everyday Skirt

Right before the holidays, I realized my wardrobe was severely lacking in fancy wear.  I have some cute Summer dresses but nothing for Winter.  I had no desire to spend time and money on something I’d only wear once in a while and I didn’t want to stress myself out with shopping or sewing something at the last minute. So I gave Stitch Fix a shot.  I went all out, creating a Pinterest board to show what I was looking for (top and bottom that are on the fancy side but can be dressed down).  The box came and there was only one bottom that didn’t fit right, a blouse I didn’t like, one blouse that I did keep and wear, a pretty but not fancy sweater that I’m actually wearing in the pictures, and a necklace that I returned.

Thankfully, I had a plan B: a trip to Mood and McCall’s 3830 (same pattern I used for the tweed skirt). The plan was to get some kind of fancy fabric, possibly shimmery, definitely a brocade.  I did find a great brocade that I loved but it has no shimmer.  It’s a dark blue and black abstract pattern. And oddly enough, it has great stretch on the length (so the stretch follows the grain) but not the width.

From here, there isn’t much to say.  I made the pattern as is but used an invisible zipper.

Same size as before, same length as before.  It’s quite straight forward and quick.  I cut the fabric on the cross grain to have the stretch running across the width where I need it.  (See me act like an idiot to show how stretchy it is.  It is actually stretchier than I can show.)

The fabric behaved well but you can see in the close up that the facing has a hard time laying flat (it’s understitched).  I may try to hand sew it down.

I used the invisible hem stitch and the fabric’s texture and pattern help keep the stitches perfectly hidden.  I had a beast of a time with the belt loops and debated removing them but honestly, I don’t even think about it when I wear the skirt.

And that’s it! I wore it with the not-quite-as-fancy-as-I-wanted blouse from Stitch Fix at Christmas and now, I wear it with a sweater.

PS: Almost everyone on my blog feed has been posting about 2017 goals and such.  And I used to do it too. But this year, I haven’t been able to gather my thoughts.  There has been next to no quiet here in the last few months.  I haven’t even sewn anything yet this year! (I did cut fabric out though.)  I’ve gotten busy with some other stuff. I’ve joined SURJ and that has kept me quite busy. And if that cuts into my sewing time, so be it.  I guess this actually is my 2017 goal.  Stop dreaming about the world being a better place and actually getting off my butt and doing something.  So this is me trying to do my part.

About deuxsouriceaux

Creative mommy at home to two wonderful little girls, trying to juggle family, sewing, exercise, family, knitting, photography, and did I mention family?