Once I saw other people’s SIT sewalong skirts popping up on blogs I decided that I needed to use up the last of my Prints Charming packs.  All the different colour combinations were just too enticing!  So here is skirt #3.

Once again I used a variation of the a-line skirt with yoke pattern I gratefully obtained from a friend.  This time I made it a longer length, with a lined yoke, exposed side zip and bias bound hem.  And while I was at it I made another one for my cousin Freya.

Freya and I often wear a similar size but she has a much narrower waist than me.  I used the same pattern but continued the yoke curve up a couple of inches. Let’s hope that it fits her – it’s going in the mail this weekend.

The large pink/orange spotted fabric in the centre right is not from Prints Charming – I needed a teensy bit more fabric to make certain I had enough to piece the fronts so added this from my stash. I used stretch denim from stash for the yokes and backs of the skirts, which required a little judicious cutting and for my skirt, the use of a “design feature” with some exposed selvedge.

The yoke lining and hem binding was cut from quilting cotton, left over from Clare’s Christmas dress.  The colours matched perfectly – it was meant to be!  And for anyone who is inclined to add an external zip to their skirt, here’s a closeup.  I suggest that if you are going to do this, you need to choose an interesting and/or substantial zip.  Probably one with metal teeth rather than plastic. 

After the yoke was attached to the skirt, I basted the side seam together from the waist to the length of the zip, then finished sewing it at a shorter stitch length.  I pinned the zip on top and just top stitched it into place.  Then I undid the basting stitches.  Ta-da!  The top of the zipper tape is sewn into the yoke lining, which was also top-stitched into place.  So there you go – four Prints Charming SIT Sewalong Skirts – you can see version 1 here and version 2 here.  Thanks so much to Karen for leading a marvellous sewalong and inspiring us to stop admiring our PC packs and actually make them into something!

A few finished skirts from Karen’s SIT Sew What Skirts Sewalong have appeared in blogland lately.  Time for me to share my latest one!

The skirt front fabrics are all from Prints Charming, and I used a modified version of my a-line skirt pattern to make a knee length skirt with a side zip and a facing at the waist rather than a yoke.  I sewed the zip onto the outside of the skirt for a little bit of fun – not that anyone will ever see it, but I know it’s there.

The fabric for the back is a self-stripe from stash, and I used striped bias binding for the inside hem. I now wish that I’d let it peek out a little like Sheridan’s.  I am planning to do some embroidery on this skirt (and the one I made earlier) but don’t hold your breath.  Have a look at Karen’s and Donna‘s and Gillian’s skirts too – just gorgeous!  I’m impressed at how the different colour palettes really alter the look of the skirt.  Although it’s probably a good thing that we live in different cities since otherwise we definitely run the risk of all turning up to the same event wearing the same style of skirt…

The cardi is the Everyday Cardi from Crochet Today! – details here and Ravelled here.

When I bought two poly/cotton heavy-weight rib knit remnants from Rathdown Remnants a year or two ago, I had no idea what I’d make from them.  Due to the bulk of the fabric I was very unsure about how I’d finish edges in a way that wouldn’t look too home-made.  Enter the Laura knit cardi pattern from Style Arc.

This cardi is constructed entirely with the overlocker, and the edges are just overlocked as well. No turning and stitching, so no bulk. It was super quick to make and I quite like the deconstructed style. I found the pattern diagram a little deceiving though. There is a centre seam down the back of the collar, which is actually more of a hood.

I should have sewn it so that the overlocked centre collar/hood seam would be underneath when worn. Although since this style has exposed overlocking around all the edges, it doesn’t matter too much. I even made another one before I realised that I should have done the collar/hood seams differently.

Worn here with a wool jersey Jalie empire crossover top and a stretch skirt with yoke and feature front and back seams, made from my basic a-line skirt pattern.  These two photos were taken with the self-timer on my camera, and I apologise for their lack of clarity.  Much better when mr thornberry is around to take photos for me.

I’ve just cut out a pair of Laura leggings – hoping to fit in some sewing this long weekend!

Back to the garments I sewed at Sewjourn!  This top is Vogue 8650, view C.

Although I like the print, it hides the lovely tucked neckline detail. I really like the raglan sleeves, which have a dart on the shoulder to give them more shape. I was lucky enough to have a dress form on hand at Sewjourn to help me with arranging the pleats nicely – such a helpful dressmaking tool! How can I fit one into my sewing room, I wonder…

The pattern instructions have you stabilise the back neckline with bias binding. I just used a one inch wide strip of selvedge cut from the same fabric, then trimmed it down once I’d sewed it in place. The fabric is a mystery knit from (once again) the Darn Cheap Fabrics $2 per metre table. It’s quite stable but has lovely drape.

I made the size 12 but after seeing these photos I almost wonder whether I could have got away with a size 10.  This could be because I chose a stretch fabric (drapey wovens are also recommended).  I’ll try this top again in a solid at some stage to show off those neckline pleats.