SBCC Cosmo skirt and Tonic tee
SBCC patterns design for women who are under 5 feet 4 inches tall. Well, that is me! And although I am very used to folding out length from pattern pieces, it is especially nice to find patterns that are drafted to fit without major alteration. This is particularly the case with skirts. I wanted a maxi skirt and found it in the SBCC Cosmo skirt.
There is a lot going for this maxi skirt. It is incredibly comfortable, and has a great flare around the hemline for movement. See?
The description of the pattern and the line drawing from the website are as follows: You know those yoga pants you wear on the weekends? Why not up the style ante and keep the comfort of a yoga waistband with the sophistication of a long flared maxi skirt? Easy to wear on your errands with flip flops, but pair it with a dressy top and some wedge sandals for an elegant look. This skirt is perfect for the stick-straight petites, but also for the curvy girls who aren’t afraid to show it off. Silhouette is engineered to taper higher than normal and the flared hem is not too overwhelming. If you need it shorter, roll the waistband. If you need it longer, extend the waistband so the seam falls at the hips. This easy maxi skirt sewing pattern sews up in a minimal amount of time. This pattern is designed knit fabrics only. Please consider using a 75% stretch and testing the fit in a substitute knit before sewing up in the final fabric. *Sewing Skill Level- Great for beginners and an easy sew.
I used what I think is a viscose/spandex and possibly something else blend knit from the $2 table at Darn Cheap Fabrics. It has black flecked through the blue which gives it a really nice depth of colour and is a medium weight, absolutely perfect for this skirt. I love the way that it gives a fairly straight looking silhouette until you start to move, then it swishes and sways.
The pattern description is quite accurate – it does sew up in a minimum of time. There are three pattern pieces – one piece for the front, one piece (cut twice) for the back, and one for the waistband. It does take quite a bit of fabric because of that flare at the bottom. All construction was on the overlocker, and I took a 5/8″ inch hem after overlocking around the hem of the skirt to stabilise the curve and hopefully bring it in just a tad. Then I folded the hem up once to the inside and used a zig-zag stitch to secure it. I find that on a curved edge like this a simple zig-zag rather than twin needle stitching sits more nicely without rippling.
The tee is the SBCC Tonic tee (a free pattern). I’ve made it before in a size Large, so just made the same size again. After looking at these photos I think I could have sized down to a Medium. I’ll remember that for next time. From the pattern website: The Tonic T-shirt is the cure for wardrobe woes. It is the staple item that works as a base for any outfit that needs some new life. This T-shirt is specifically made for petites, so no more t-shirts that can double as a tunic or hang out below a cardigan. Neckline is sexy, but not so much as you have to be in fear of bending over. All secure here. Make it in your basic color palette as an easy layering piece or make it in that special knit fabric that will add a pop to your wardrobe. *Skill Level- Easy
I think that this really needs to be my go-to pattern when I want a fairly classic closer fitting tee. I love the neckline. The scoop is slightly squared off, and it’s so comfortable to wear without revealing cleavage. And the fit skims through the body without clinging. The fabric is from Clear It, and I suspect that it is Gorman from quite a few seasons ago. It’s a double sided knit, with plenty of crosswise stretch but no lengthwise stretch (so no spandex). I took advantage of the different sides to have the narrow stripes on the sleeves and neckband with the wider stripes through the body. It made for easier stripe matching too! You can see the side seams in this photo (which also cracks me up for some reason):
Construction was on the overlocker, with twin needle stitching for hems and around the neckline. This whole outfit is so satisfying. All in a knit, so comfortable to wear, fast to make, and more importantly I feel great in it. And yes, I’ve got a new haircut! I like to change things around, and as much as I enjoyed the asymmetrical cut I’ve had for the last year or so I am enjoying this new short but longer on top style. But as you can see, I’m definitely keeping the red! I’m definitely going to be using both these patterns again at some stage.
This really is lovely and I think I would like to steal both pieces. Being 160cm tall myself, I will have to investigate these patterns further I think! I really love your new haircut, btw!
Thanks Andrea! I am 158cm. Have another of their patterns to try soon too.
That is a lovely and elegant but simple and casual outfit. Love it all. I am way too tall for these patterns but so good to see a company fill this niche.
Love that skirt!!!!!!!!!!!! The whole outfit is lovely. By the way, you new hair style is beautiful.
This outfit really suits you, you look great!
The skirt looks so great on you,and the tee is a lovely shape and fit. This outfit lengthens you.Im a shorty so I’m going to look these patterns up. Thanks as always for sharing. 😀😀
I love this outfit. Perfectly comfortable and polished, the colours are gorgeous on you & I love a swishy maxi skirt 😉
I also think you handed me the very last of that midnight blue knit in DCF, if so, I can vouch for it’s gloriousness! And I have that stripe.. scheming, scheming.. 😉
Love your new hair and everything about the outfit. That skirt is so good with the flare and the yoga pants waist, that would be heaven to wear. I thought I had my go to tee pattern with the mandy, but now i might give this one a try.
I love your new hairstyle! Very flattering! And, this outfit combo is fantastic! It looks super comfy, and I could wear it at work, too (I’m a teacher). It seems to make you look taller, too. I don’t know how to use my serger, yet, but this skirt (and top) is at the top of the list once I get the hang of it.
Okay, I just went and purchased the skirt pattern and also grabbed the t-shirt pattern while I was there! It’s motivation for me to A) learn how to use my serger and B) lose a few pounds so I can fit into the pattern size 🙂 Hopefully, by the time it’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere, I’ll have achieved both goals! Well, maybe the first goal will happen by the end of the summer because I’ll have time off for summer vacation.
I LOVE your hair and your outfit!
Very slick! Love the silhouette on you. And love the colours. AND love your new haircut. Very glam, and suits you beautifully.
Very flattering skirt. Love the flare at the hemline. Nice outfit and your new haircut looks great too.
A great outfit … I am 158 cm also so should check those out… I think I downloaded the t-shirt pattern ages ago. Still too hot here for t-shirts though. I bought some of that stripe knit at ClearIt on my recent trip to Melbourne but with navy and grey stripes. I love the double sided knit and nothing I have seen around here. Your new haircut is very flattering!
Great outfit! I love how you always have exactly the right shade of necklace. I follow a website called the Glamorous Housewife and she is the same! Your necklines are always so neat and well fitting. And i really like the hair style, suits you! 💝
love the whole outfit and the new hairdo is divine!
linda in melbourne
I’m going to have to check this company out Lara, they and you look amazing! Love your new ‘do’ too.
Both these pieces look great. As a short person myself (and a lover of maxi skirts) I will be checking both these out. I love your new hair too.
I like the hair and the outfit is VERY flattering💃
I love the Tonic tee! It’s actually a better fit for me than the Tonic 2 – although I use the Tonic 2 sleeves for the longer version. And this one looks fantastic on you!
Thanks for sharing these two great basic patterns with us!
This is such a flattering cut for a maxi knit dress. Such a lovely silhouette.
The whole outfit looks great. And your hair is divine! Did you add some highlights? I’ve been wanting to do something different with my hair and will definitely take this pic along to my hair stylist. You’re so beautiful!
You are looking terrific. Great new hair style and a new outfit! The orange/navy combination is certainly you.
Great outfit on you! And the hair’s fab too.
Love all of it, your new hair cut makes you look very glam.
The outfit looks really great on you. I particularly love the skirt, it makes you look taller and so slim 🙂
You look hot! Glad to see two SBCC patterns in action at the same time. Thanks for featuring my patterns!
I agree with everyone else – you look great in this outfit, esp the skirt and I love your hair style. I need to check out SBCC patterns too! You make them look good.
That outfit looks great on you! I am 5’4″, but have short arms & legs, so often wear petites. I am making this skirt soon, so looking for inspiration. Gorgeous with the tee & I love how you made the sleeves contrasting.