Gold Sequin Pattern Mini Skirt

I was drawn to this fabric at local Joann, but not sure how to use it… so I passed actually buying the fabric several times.

However, I couldn’t stop being attracted to it, and when I found the same bolt on the clearance rack for half price, I had to snatch it. (I’m a sucker for good deals…)

The fabric pattern is not printed but woven in, so it really doesn’t look cheap.  The texture sort of reminds me of that of Obi (waist tie for kimono) fabric.

I used Simplicity2451, one of my favorite patterns for my quick projects.  It has four pleats in front, shaped waist yoke, and side pockets.  The pattern does not require lining, but I might add it later because seam allowances of this particular fabric are a bit scratchy against my bare skin.

I think this skirt could be a nice accent in casual outfits and with natural materials like wool or linen…

Or who knows, I might go all out for holiday parties and dress it up to create a really eye-catching outfit…! ;)

Brown Tweed Mini Skirt

I love mini + boots conbination... it's very 60's.

I made this skirt more than 5 years ago, and it has been the major work force in my wardrobe ever since.

I usually wear it with turtle neck sweaters or a white button-down shirt. Here I am wearing my favorite combination: a black turtle neck, the skirt, and black boots. (I'd like to point out that these fake-suede boots are from Walmart!) My American friends often says that you shouldn't mix black and brown in the same outfit---but I think if you make brown the only other color to go with black, the outfit could be very chic.... What do you think??

I used Vogue 2811 pattern. I was initially disappointed to find out the front pockets were not functional, but it's probably a good thing since having stuffed pockets is not a pretty sight... not to mention the risk of finding the forgotten tissue or cookie fortune in the washer.



*I intentionally did not match the patten so that piecing the fake pokets was not waisted effort..



Vogue 2811

Denim Peplum Top and Skirt

When I make something, I try to picture the item I'm about to make in three different outfits combining with clothes and accessories I already own.  That way, I won't end up with something I would wear only once or twice a year. 

I made an exception to this rule when I sew this peplum outfit on the cover of August 2012 issue of Burda magazine.

Sure, the skirt is just a simple pencil skirt, so it would be easy to wear with any other tops I own,

but the blouse seemed like a more challenging piece to incorporate in my wardrobe.

But the outfit was so chic I couldn't pass up! I picked light colored stretch denim for the project. 

This is another rule of mine--- when the shape is elegant, pick casual fabric (and vise versa).

When I posted on Burdastyle.com, this project got many comments from fellow Burda members.  This pattern was quite a hit from this issue!

I think this could go with the orange skirt from the previous post:

Maybe with a pair of shorts, too...

With a petticoat for a casual party....

I still can't come up with a good jacket to go with the peplum top... so for now, I will keep myself warm with a wrap...







High-waisted Orange Pencil Skirt

 Burdastyle Princess Seam Pencil Skirt 04/2012

Burdastyle Gathered Blouse 07/2012

 

 

I recently discovered this local second-hand fabric store, which I am in love with.  Sometimes I find beautiful vintage fabric for a very reasonable price, and other times it just feels good not to waste resources.

 

The blouse and the skirt in the photo are made from thrifted fabric I got from the said store.  I am not sure of the fabric contents...the white seems to be cotton batiste, so it's a bit see-through.  I used double thickness so I could wear it without a cami underneath.

 

The orange fabric for the skirt is some kind of cotton/poly suede-back satin, I think.  I used the suede side as the right side.  The fabric is wrinkle resistant----in the other wards, IT WON'T TAKE IRONING FOR NOTHING.  The seams didn't iron out like I wanted, but oh well, wrinkle resistant is a good thing for a skirt...

 

I used patterns from Burdastyle magazines.  I usually post sewing projects on this magazine's website, Burdastyle.com.  If you like the patterns, you can also purchase them online using links on the right here.

 

 

Since my waist is the thinnest part of my body---I always add a belt, or a fitted vest to emphasize the shape (otherwise I would look much heavier!).  High-waisted style lets me have the same silhouette without those aids.

 

 

 

Here are some possible outfits using items I already own:

 

+Thrifted blouse (it had a huge additional ruffle around the neck which I took off),

Thrifted vintage elastic belt

 

 

 

+Knit cardigan (shrunken style from a few years ago..)

 

 

 

 

 

+White blouse and handmade necklace(another project of mine),

Jean jacket(from like..when I was in high school...)

 

 

 

 

 

I think this skirt is a nice addition to my very neutral-colored closet!