Pattern Anthology - Just Add Jeans

... Or a black pencil skirt. Huzzah!

When Andrea from Pattern Anthology emailed me to ask if I would like to play with their brand new fourth pattern collection, I fist pumped the air ... and then replied yes - because emails can't see fist pumps ...

The collection is made up of four stretch patterns for us la-la-ladies and are made for the lass who wants to be both stylish AND comfortable. Yes ladies, a garment can be both. What WHAT? 

You-learn-something-every-day.
The reason I didn't know this, is because ... I'VE NEVER SEWN WITH STRETCH BEFORE!!!

Woh, sorry(not sorry) about the shouting there, but these patterns weren't just a revelation for me, they were a game changer! You mean I don't have to stay standing upright in my tight dress all day because I've eaten too much and bending will make me vomit out of my eyes? I can wear clothes that will stretch with me?

EMOTIONAL!

I made up two versions of the Parisian and I freaking LOVE this pattern. Not only is the pattern super comfortable but it's so fast to make up!!! I mean you don't have to line stretch. You don't even have to ... now this is a big one ... finish the edges! GASP! I spent a good two minutes head butting the wall mindlessly as punishment for not having tried stretch sooner (bad dobby!)

The instructions are wonderful and put me the beginner stretch-seamstress right at ease with heaps of helpful tips for sewing with stretch fabric.

The pattern features a peter-pan collar and gorgeous puff sleeves that are the perfect amount of puff.

Fabric
The lovely people at Girl Charlee fabrics supplied some fabric for this project, and people I went a little overboard. Given I'm partial to fabric stashing, and the fact that I did not yet have a stretch stash, I may or may not have bought over seven different types of fabric. I mean the selection was cray-cray!

I mean would you look at this fabric??!!! It has skulls and freaking roses! I mean seriously! I dare you NOT to buy this fabric. It's a cotton spandex knit fabric and it feels like you're wearing butter and gives you that wonderful feeling that only good quality fabric can give you.

The second top is also from Girl Charlee fabrics and is made of a lucious navy blue solid ponte de roma and it could be one of the most comfortable fabrics I've ever worn. 

I contrasted it with a floral knit that I also got from Girl Charlee and I love the sweet touch it gives the top.

Styling
So the general theme of these tops is that they can easily be thrown on with a pair of jeans. Except I'm more of a pencil skirt sort of gal. Here I am wearing it with a skirt I made a million years ago (it wasn't as tight then!) The good news is that these tops go perfectly with a fancy skirt both tucked in or out!

Alterations
Um ... zip, zilch, nada! Praise the Lord!
I made the top in a small size as I likes my stuff nice and fitted. The good thing about stretch is it's very forgiving on sizing. I probably could have done an FBA, but I think it still looks good. P.s. the instructions come with FBA instructions so you don't have to try and work it out yourself. Winning.

Conclusion

Fast and easy to make, these tops are effortless, gorgeous and comfortable; a definite keeper. And it has smoothly introduced me to the world of knit fabrics, a world I used to run screaming away from. Consider me converted.

These patterns will be touring the blogs over March, so check out these other fabulous bloggers to see their awesome versions!

March 11th: Stef - the Girl Inspired

March 12th: Delia - Delia Creates

March 13th: Merrick - Merrick's Art

March 14th: Julia - Julia Bobbin

March 17th: Liz - Cotton and Curls

March 18th: Katy - No Big Dill

March 19th: Caroline - Sew Caroline

March 20th: Suzannah - Adventures in Dressmaking

March 21st: Jessica - Craftiness is Not Optional

March 22nd: Dixie -  DixieDIY

Mad Men Challenge
How's everyone coming along with their Mad Men outfits? Only a few weeks left!  I'm loving seeing the pics coming into my inbox. For more details on the sew-a-long click here!

So who else in a knit-fabric convert? Let's be friends!

Elastic Fantastic - The skirt

Ok, so it's a skirt. A black skirt. Nothing to write home about right?

So why do I feel the need to post about my latest sewing creation? Because the waist band is made of elastic! Truly!

I had recently purchased some beautiful cardigans (sweaters) and while swiping my credit card through their machines to pay for these beauties (all four of them) I started fantasising about what I'd wear with them ... black wiggle skirt. BAM!
I then went on a frenzied hunt through the stores trying to find a black pencil skirt. After many long unsuccessful searches (everything was either too tight on my hips or too loose on my waist) I suddenly had a moment of clarity and an inner dialogue began:

Right side of my brain (RS) - "Hey Julia, what's up"
Left side of my brain (LS) - "Oh you know, just trying to find me a pencil skirt ... unsuccessfully."
RS - "Hmmm ... I see."
LS - " Yeah it's really getting me down not finding one"
RS - " Hey, so um Julia, you sew right?"
*Awkward silence*
LS - "Um .. yes."
*The sound of a penny dropping*
RS - "Then what the H are doing looking for a pencil skirt when you could be making one fool!"
LS - "Fair call RS, fair call"
*The sound of epiphany trumpets playing*

I decided that was that, I had to make me a black wiggle skirt to accompany my new cardigans.

These cardigans are ridiculously pretty, very form flattering and makes me think of the 50's era where clothing was modest (cleavages and thighs tucked away) but the silhouettes were knock you in the face sexy. Think Joan from Mad Men.

Now pencil skirts are nothing new, and God knows they have been done before, but I really wanted a skirt that emphasised the curve of the female figure,; smooth on the hips and small in the waist,  just like Joanie Harris above.
I've made skirts before but the waist band never seemed to really synch in the waist. And then I had a breakthrough.
Elastic!

Now initially I was nervous. Over the years I'd come to associate elastic with plus sized dresses, and that creepy man who sits out the front of my local supermarket wearing sweat pants and most certainly no underwear. Oh.Dear.God. But it's time to be free of my fears and go all 'Justin Timberlake' on elastic and bring the sexy back.

I headed to clegs after work and purchased a strip of black elastic (belt elastic according to the label) about 7cm wide and hurried home to my sewing room to experiment.

I whipped up the skirt using under one metre of fabric of a thick wool/polyester blend that I also purchased from clegs. Once I finished the skirt I measured the circumference of the skirt waist, and then cut the strip of elastic the same length but about 4cm shorter. I then pinned the elastic strip to the skirt, stretching the elastic to fit and sewed it down with a 1.5cm allowance. I also top stitched the seam allowance to the waist band to keep the allowance flat and stop the skirt from buckling.

When the skirt is lying limp and the elastic relaxes, it gathers up a little around the elastic join. When you're wearing the skirt, your body stretches the elastic band out which removes all the puckering of the skirt fabric.

I finished the skirt with an invisible zipper and then squeeled with delight when I tried the finished garment on!

I love how the elastic pulls everything in to the body and emphasises the waist! It is also very comfortable as it moves with you, rather than cuts into you like non stretch waist bands can. Now I'm a big eater, and usually after a big lunch I thoroughly regret what I decided to wear that morning. Now with the elastic, the waist band will expand to include the extra 10 kilos of food I've just shovelled into my belly.

The elastic is also easy to attach as there is no interfacing, no facings and no finishings (apart from the seam allowance where you attach the elastic to the skirt). Genius!

It is such a simple skirt, but one that gives a bit of va-voom emphasising the classic feminine shape. Because the elastic is a feature, rather than covered by a fabric casing, the end result is that the waist band is flat and smooth, rather than bunched up like MC Hammer pants (which, let's be honest I still love).

Too be honest, my trauma associated with elastic first lessened when I made my recent jacket 'Minoru and Me' pattern made by Sewaholic Patterns. I loved how the jacket turned out, and it had a lot to do with the shape created by using elastic. Interesting indeed.

Oh and for those who are interested, I bought my cardigans from Alannah Hill with the exception of the mustard cardigan, which I bought from Princess Highway ... I think.

I love this new skirt and I encourage every one to give it a try. It'll make you look small in all the right spots. The possibilities are endless!

I am not ashamed to admit, I am now an elastic convert. Amen.