Whenever I think of this time of year, I think of winter florals. A more autumnal and wintery version of the style I’d normally choose in the summer, there’s nothing wrong with wearing flowers when it’s cold outside.
I’ve had a good year sewing wise. Despite most of the time not having access to a sewing machine (it’s back home in Wales), I’ve actually managed to make quite a bit. I quite like the idea of a sewing round-up to remind myself of what I’ve made in the past year if nothing else. So here’s what I accomplished in 2017.
I started this Liberty print skirt ages ago along with a tartan version. I had visions of one midi length pleated skirt and one to-the-knee version, both made from the same tutorial.
I followed Almond Rock’s guide on how to make a pleated skirt but I’m not that great at maths and it came out too large. Both of these skirts therefore ended up on my pile of unfinished things. But then, when I was home last, I decided to salvage this one. I just loved the fabric too much! The quality of the tartan was not that great so I’ve left that one on the sewing pile for now, but I’ve got plans to use it as a jazzy lining for a jacket at some point.
I pulled the waistband in by quite a bit and based the pleats around that. I added four pleats to the front skirt and four to the back. I prefer pleats over gathers in skirts as they’re more flattering, don’t you think?
At first the length was just below my knees but I took off quite a bit of length to make it in a style that best suits me (tried and tested of course) and I’m much happier with it this way than if it were longer.
I bought the fabric on Ebay and it was described as a crepe cotton rather than a tana lawn which gives it more structure but I’d definitely choose a tana lawn over this the next time I make it. There’s just something special about a tana lawn.
The fabric is Liberty’s Tatum, a firm favourite which I’ve featured before here and here (this last one is what I made from the leftover fabric I had from the skirt). I think this fabric is my all-time favourite Liberty fabric but it’s just too hard to decide between them all.
What do you think? Worn with my all-time favourite brogues and a black long-sleeved top this is my current favourite outfit!
It’s always at this time of year that I particularly start craving an autumnal colour palette. For me, there’s something a bit special about mustard or yellow when the weather is a bit colder outside. I think it started with a certain Marks and Spencer advert featuring Twiggy, Erin O’Connor and a beautiful yellow coat a few years ago. The colour just stood out for me and I’ve been associating yellow, and mustard in particular, with this season ever since.
There are a number of beautiful clothes in the shops at the moment and, as ever, I’ve been pinning my faves. Here are just a few things I’ve been inspired by lately and hopefully some of these will translate into actual made by me clothing.