RTW contest - Gwyneth Skirt review

Project Description: My inspiration:  mini skirt BOY by BAND OF OUTSIDERS that was worn by Gwyneth Paltrow in Glee! ( My RTWproject- part 2) I drafted this A-line mini skirt pattern to create the shape required

Pattern Sizing: I used 34

(download free pdf now size 34/38/42)

Fabric Used: Double knit jersey, satin bias tape, brass zipper

Technique used: Bias tape and Mitered Corners

Pattern alterations or design changes: I transferred the side darts into pleats on the waste in the front. Then I added 5" (15cm) extra to the centre front for a wrap effect piece. The left side of the zipper is attached directly to the skirt panel beside the pleat, the right side is sewn under the edge of the wrap. I placed the right pocket a little higher than the original, as it was pulling the back of the skirt out of shape, probably due to the fabric difference. (Originally suiting flannel is used)

Conclusion: I love the pattern and the skirt came out quite nicely- I wore it to do some shopping and noticed how every female passing me was eyeing the skirt- what a great feeling! Also the original price must be somewhere around £££ when I ended up spending around £10 - some value!!!!

(download free pdf now size 34/38/42)

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Gwyneth Skirt- My RTW Project, part 2

Remember a week ago I joined the RTW Contest  on patterreview.com , but I couldn't enter the Willow skirt I have made before, as the project must be completed during the contest period? 


Well, I have been doing a lot of soul searching one of the day, when a Glee episode, featuring Gwyneth Paltrow came up on TV. I looked up from my laptops screen just before she stunningly performed Cee-Lo’s “Forget You" and there it was- the inspiration MY RTW CONTEST entry!

The stunning grey mini skirt BOY  by  BAND OF OUTSIDERS has instantly brought the solution to my dilemma- not only I would have something for my contest, I would absolutely love to have a skirt like that! LOVE IT!!!!! Originally made from flannel, zip closure, two front pockets, lined interior and leather applications. I had some double knit jersey, satin bias trim and a brass zip- a key combination to success. Well, I hope. And as it seems impossible to buy a real deal these days, it makes all sence to just sew your own.

I used the skirt pattern form Burda style magazine 12/2012

I've altered the pattern a bit,  closing the side darts, transferring them into pleats at waist. I also changed the from piece into a wrap skirt piece.

The first challenge was to finish all edges with a bias trimming. Unfortunately i couldn't get my hands on a leather trimming, largely due to my impatience- I just couldn't wait to start on this project. And the absence of large fabric/haberdashery stores around worked it's magic too , of course. Too bad….

I used a satin bias tape to finish all the edges. As it is essentially a wrap skirt, that meant I had to work around the corners with my bias tape. 

Here is a full tutorial on bias tape and mitered corners how-to !!!!

Oh, and don't forget to sign up for our APRIL GIVEAWAY

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COLD, Patterns, Contests, and COLD

COLD is the word. Cold is how I feel every second of the last few days. Who could have imagined two weeks ago, when we were all baring ourselves to the sun at 20°C, that we would be able to see our breath outside at night a few days later??? Well that wasn't me- foolishly, I was sure that the "Irish summer" is here (it always is lovely, sunny and dry around Easter till end of May)! Foolishly, I packed away my winter coats and even more foolishly- in fact, unforgivably, I didn't top up the home heating oil, having decided we would not need it until later in the year!

A Rookie Mistake!!!!

Because it is COLD. Tuesday night it SNOWED. I am battling a very nasty flu and just cannot get warm in the cold house ( oh yes- and I did, in the spur of a moment, spend all the oil money booking a summer holiday). I suspected that my bedroom is very poorly isolated and now I really know how badly- it is like sleeping outside.


And here I am taking full advantage of my staffie Harry's (free of charge and with a bonus of some serious TLC) body heat, curled up under a furry throw on the couch, talking nonsense when I could be making my little sewing dreams come true! How typical! I think I am born to live in a warm climate- this is driving me nuts!!!!!!!!



Especially, because there are a lot of plans and ideas.
There has been a nice arrival in the post yesterday: Cynthia Rowley's patterns for Simplicity: dress 2497 and skirt 2512

 I am a sewing magazine's addict- I don't really purchase patterns very often, but I simply loved the skirt, especially featured in House of Piheiro's OWOP Challenge. So did my daughter, who I really want to get involved into dressmaking, and as my grandmother and my mother did in their time- I think it is THE TIME to pass the secrets of the trade to the next generation. I was looking for both a tulip and a wrap skirt for a while and this pattern seemed perfect. My daughter loved view D (just like the one on the left) and I would love the view A to suit me, when it is made!!! Please!!!!

Plus, I found a company online, based in the UK, that offered more than reasonable price for those patterns, so I added the 2497 dress in too. And here they are! Chantelle is tracing the D view as I freeze….. I mean, as I type )))

The dress looks lovely on the pattern cover, but since I got the actual envelope, I am having serious second thoughts about it. It seems to suit a rather skinny frame with wide shoulders and a tall height, so look well, otherwise it has a somewhat clown-ish look to it ( I am deeply sorry if any of my readers made this dress and love it) It is merely how I thought it looked on most of those real life pictures- unflattering. Do I want to join that Gallery? Will I look good in that? 

Well there is one more incentive to try: I just joined the 'Best of Patterns' contest on patternreview.com and this pattern is featured among the allowed patterns. Well, I am tempted, but who knows- the jury is still out on this one. 

Do you often pick a pattern that in hind sight is not flattering to your own shape, just because the model on the photo looks good. Unfortunately, I still do. And I really wish I didn't. 

Another pattern included in the contest is Vogue Donna Karan dress 1220 

Again, same reservations as Cynthia Rowley's dress: will it look good, or will it resemble a house robe, my granny used to own???

And there are also those simple tops' patterns like Burda Magazine 02-2009-108 "Knit Top with Bateau Neckline", making which for a best pattern contest simply puzzles me. This is just simply too basic. Or am I just arrogant? I am no Sewing Guru either, just wishing to be one day…

Anyway, I signed up for that contest in hope it will get me off the couch- but not while this cold spell is freezing my bones. Oh, I need the sun so much!!!!!

And not to forget the RTW Contest that I am in. I have an idea for it already, but this is a topic for another post.



Anyway, I hope you have Good Easter, everyone and I hope the warm weather  will come back and all those plans will turn flowing into finished projects.

And don't forget to enter our APRIL GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Got to get out of this cold house tonight- going to see the TITANIC in 3D ( pack of tissues- check!)

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PatternReview RTW Contest -part 1

Yes, i did. The idea is very simple: find a Ready To Wear item you adore and make one just like that yourself. I was delighted to see this contest as I have just such thing for it: The Willow Skirt!

You might remember it from last year, however the original blog post mysteriously disappeared (???) - don't know if it is actually for the best, as I didn't really like the photo shoot- it was all vampy and sexy-bothering-on-sideofaboullevar-ish!

Just to refresh the memory, I once saw an asymmetrical ruffled skirt by Australian designer  Willow on net-a-porter.com I loved the ruffles and the concealed by ribbon zipper. The skirt had no side seams, it just skimped over the curves and fastened in the front.

I drafted my own seamless pattern, using an old pencil skirt pattern, and also a ruffled patent leather trim instead of the petersham ribbon, simply as I couldn't get one soon enough- I just couldn't wait to make this skirt for myself! Although it really worked, I reckon. The fabric I had was a wet look black shiny jersey, kinda PVC looking, but quite thin. This fabric is tricky- as it does come with a certain industry hint and not really suitable for casual use (unless you casually wear it on the side of the street, looking for some "Pretty Woman" sort of work).

I only had 0.7meters (150cm wide) for this project, so I had to risk compromising the length. On the other hand, longer skirt of this kind would make me look very short, it is modeled on a very tall mannequin in all fairness, so I opted for a challenging MINI look.

Unfortunately, as I just found out this entry would have been no good, as it has to be made during the contest period ( 1/04/2012-30/04/2012), so I am left with a dilemma- what to make for it. I'd like it to be  something I will be wearing too- so off I go surfing the net, looking for inspiration. Hope I find it soon-wish me luck!

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