Falling in Love and What to Do About It Part I

I like to cut pictures out of fashion magazines, tape them in a composition notebook, and use them as inspiration for future sewing projects.  I fell in love with this outfit from In-Style magazine.  I don't remember which issue this is from, but it is from this year, I believe. 

I was most attracted to the skirt.  But did you see the price on it?  $245!  I searched high and low at all the online fabric shops I visit for a reasonably-priced similar fabric.  I found a polyester, peach, floral, twill at FFC for $4.75/yard.  I was disappointed in how very lightweight it was when it arrived.  It's the consistency of a lining fabric. 

What to do...what to do...I liked the print even better than the Kate Spade print.  I happened to have an ivory-colored bamboo rayon-like fabric in my stash.  So I lined the floral print with the bamboo before I made the pleats and wouldn't you know this skirt feels couture.  It drapes beautifully and, for summer, the bamboo lining cannot be beat!  The knit top is made from a horizontally textured, ivory, matte jersey I bought from Gorgeous Fabrics, quite a while ago.  The "waterfall" pleat featured in Jalie 2806, was the perfect accompaniment to my new skirt.  Here is the completed outfit.  I can also see this with a black boyfriend jacket.  Yes, I'm writing it on my "to sew" list NOW.   

   

Here are the pattern covers for the Simplicity 2701, which I used for the skirt, and Jalie 2806, used for the top:

I made a size 10 in the skirt, but once again found the waist band to be too tight.  I guess having three children will do that to you!  Anyway, I added about 1.5" to the waistband.  The front and back piece are the same and there are a total of 4 pleats on each side.  I did not follow the instructions, since I wanted to insert an invisible zipper and I had to figure out how to add the bamboo lining in a way that would give the pleats some substance.  I attached the bamboo lining to the fashion fabric at the top and sides, letting the middle hang free.  That meant that I had to hem the lining before I attached it to the sides of the fashion fabric.  I did it this way so that the lining and fashion fabric could hang separately, otherwise I was worried I might have puckers on the fashion fabric from trying to hem them together.   When I hemmed the polyester fabric, it was not easy, due to how wiggly and lightweight it is, but perseverance paid off and I think the final look is fantastic.  Here is a pic of the underlining at the waistband (I handstitched the facing because I didn't even want "stitich in the ditch" stitches on the front):

Jalie 2806 looks tricky, but it went together very easily.  I made a size "S" and added about 3 inches to the hip width.  I also decided to bind the armholes with self-fabric.  The pattern would have you turn under and stitch the armholes.  The matte jersey is classy looking, and I thought the bound armholes would be a cleaner finish on this particular version.  DH gets home from a 4 day business trip tonight.  I can't wait to show him this and suggest a date night for this weekend.  I already have my outfit!