Mirroring Suzy Bee Sews - Life So Strange It Should Be Fiction

I've had this pattern since it came out but seeing Julia Bobbins gorgeous skirt made me get it out and get started! After making the vogue 1247 skirt I really like a straight waistband on me, it makes the skirt hang better and doesn't give the fitting nightmares that I've had on skirts before. All this is missing is some pockets, with all those seam lines on the yoke its crying out for a hidden pocket or two....next time! Size wise: I used the size 16 and graded up at the waist to about a sz 20. I think this has to be the most easiest skirt to fit I've ever made because I made no other adjustments. The blue fabric is a rayon from Spotlight, I didn't have quite enough (2.5m of 112cm wide) so I made the skirt side panels less flared at the bottom and used a black cotton poplin for the yoke inserts and waistband. I do wish I'd used a more thicker fabric on the yoke and waistband, it does feel a bit flimsy and could do with a bit more heft. Its show...

My last version of this skirt stretched out over time and I donated it in the last big wardrobe cleanout. For a skirt I didn't wear that often I've really  missed having it. This pattern needs bugger all fabric, I squeezed this out of just over 1m of denim leftover from a pair of jeans. This denim is thicker than my first version and sits a bit stiffer but it wears well and I know it will soften up with a few more washes. I made the skirt a pull-on, not just because I'm obsessed with pull on bottoms at the moment, but the first waistband stretched out at least a couple of sizes and at least with an elastic waistband I don't have to worry about that happening again! Pattern details; Size 18 Tilted waist adjustment - removed 2" from front rise Changed the vent from the front to the back I really love the vent on this pattern, very easy to sew and sits really nicely while wearing.

I feel like I'm the last person to make this pattern up - I've admired the skirt on so many of my favourite bloggers and finally picked up the pattern when Spotlight did one of their very rare $5 pattern sales. The pattern goes up to a sz 18 (38-32-42), so I had to grade up about 8" - I did a really simple grade by just adding 2" to each of  the side seams. This made the pockets a bit too close together at the front so I widened them to make it look balanced. Lengthened it by about 4" I took a wedge out of the front length for my tilted waist. Not sure if I should have taken more out or changed the front darts a bit though because it bunches up when I wear it over leggings, can't see it if I wear my top untucked though. This is my second version of this skirt - first version was a lovely ikat cotton, it was just too thin though and didn't sit right. The fabric here is a medium weight denim I picked up from a clearing sale. Its lovely...

I'd been contemplating this skirt for awhile and then I saw Thornberry's version and downloaded it straight away! I've been wanting a simple pull on knit maxi for ages - I made up Simplicity 1616 (unblogged) which was ok.....but not swishy enough and it was really short. Agreeably this pattern is specifically towards petite so is too short as well but at least you know it before you cut it out. Pattern Details: Size 1XL Added 3" to the lengthen line Added 3" to the waistband height (I'm 5'7" and I like my maxi's to graze the floor) Fabric is a spandex knit from Spotlight that's on sale (I bought a few metres of it and am thinking about going back for more!) I am so impressed with this pattern - I never have to do this few adjustments and the fit is pretty spot on. I could potentially go up a size and I think I will for the next version but other than that its kind of perfect! And so swishy! I do have a couple of nit...

I will jump straight into my next version of this skirt. McCall's 5523 (same as last weeks skirt) but with a different rear-end feature.  Funnily enough, I have never had so many compliments about my behind as I have with wearing this skirt. Kind of like plain on the front, but one almighty kick from behind.  The feature on the back of this skirt adds such brilliant wearing ease, letting me chase after those little kiddies in the classroom gracefully! So this time I used yet another fabric from Spotlight - they certainly are lifting their game of late - a printed linen/blend in black and white. This is going to be very useful in my wardrobe - I have a heap of plain tops to jazz this skirt up with. Again, I lined it with a white cotton - but, again, not on the pleat detail area. I am really concerned if I lined the 'feature' section it just won't fall as perfectly as I planned. Really, since it is all behind me I shouldn't worry so much, but that's life!  You can...