DIY Copy Cat - BALMAIN Sequinned JACKET and Faux Wrap SKIRT

I don't know when, I don't know how, but somehow I've become obsessed with making jackets. And what could bring home that realisation more, than a SEQUINNED jacket. I ask you.

Introducing my latest make, a Balmain inspired, Versace buttoned sequinned blazer dress:

The Pattern

JACKET:

To make this look I used Burda 6380, View B in a size 12.

This double-breasted vest pattern comes in two length variations, with the option to add a welt pocket and contrasting lapel.

This pattern doesn't come with sleeves, so I used the sleeve pattern from Burda 6845, which I recently used to make my long suit style winter coat.

The sleeve pattern pieces paired perfectly and had matching notches and markings.

SKIRT:

Self drafted, with a waistband, faux button closure and pocket flaps.

The Fabric

JACKET:

I found a beautiful sequinned fabric from an Etsy store called Lots of Fabrics . This is the second time I have purchased from this store and the quality is excellent.
The fabric has a slight stretch to it and the sequins are all sewn on, rather than glued.

I using a black sateen on the lapel for a contrast, and lined the jacket in a black poly satin.

SKIRT:

A beautiful, soft Japanese cotton sateen from Tessuti Fabrics.

Copy Cat Challenge

Together with the talented superstar Faith and wedding dress extraordinaire Kelly , we decided to do a celebrity copy cat look.

For this inspiration we decided to choose one of our favourite Olivia Palermo looks. Olivia has a great personal style, so choosing one was hard!

I decided on her Balmain jacket and skirt that she wore in January 2019 to the Balmain Haute Couture show in Paris during Haute Couture Fashion Week.

You can see the full look in my instagram post below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Julia Bobbin (@juliabobbin) on Jul 12, 2019 at 6:08pm PDT

The Details + Changes

THE JACKET:

I love THIN LAPELS on this pattern, which I made in a cotton sateen to contrast, as I thought the doubled up sequin lapel could end up looking lumpy, and would likely get lost.

I also eliminated the WELT for the same reasons.

I added SLEEVES from Burda 6845 and fitted the sleeve heads with SHOULDER PADS

To avoid drag lines around my hips and butt, I added a SEPARATING ZIPPER to close the jacket.

I was nervous about adding buttonholes on a sequinned fabric (could get messy real quick) but more importantly, the zipper balanced the stress of a fitted skirt evenly over my curvy lower body, where buttons would have gaped and caused drag lines.

The black zipper blends with the sequins, and it makes wearing the blazer as a dress more comfortable. The buttons were then sewn on top, with a SNAP BUTTON added just underneath the top closing button to hold in place.

I also REMOVED THE BACK WALKING VENT as I planned to wear this as a blazer dress.

THE SKIRT:

I made a MOCK WRAP at the front to mimic the original Balmain skirt, which I held in place with vintage versace buttons.
The skirt is closed with an INVISIBLE ZIPPER down the centre back seam.

I added POCKET FLAPS on the skirt front and lined them with a contrasting silk fabric.

Notions + Tools

NOTIONS:

6 x 22mm Versace Medusa Head Buttons in matte gold and matte silver from Vintage Buttons N Beads
1 x Separating zipper
1 x Invisible zipper (skirt)
1 x Snap button
1 pair of shoulder pads

TOOLS:

Janome DC2101
Walking Foot/Even Feed Foot
Stretch Needle
Clapper

Final Thoughts

Well that was fun!
I'm a sucker for all things shiny and fancy, and this outfit ticked all those boxes!
The original Balmain jacket retailed for $4500USD and the skirt for $785USD. Just another reminder of how wonderful it is to be able to sew your own clothes!

I'm also pleased to report that I have already worn this outfit out and it was an instant mood booster. I love how a good outfit can do that!

Thanks to Faith and Kelly for a fun challenge!

The Evie Bias Skirt - Tessuti Patterns

Hi friends, you know that mythical skirt pattern? That one that goes with everything, looks fantastic AND is easy to make?

Well you guys, you can stop looking because I FOUND IT.

The Pattern

It's the Evie Bias Skirt in View B by Tessuti Patterns.
It's a classic shape, cut on the bias and comes with two waistband finishes.

View A is finished with a bound waistline and side zipper opening, and View B is a pull-on version with a scalloped elasticised waist.

The Fabric

This stunning fabric is the most perfect silk satin with a 22mm weight from Tessuti Fabrics.
Honestly it's one of the most beautiful fabrics I've ever touched. It's soft, it's got the most beautiful drape, and it moves like running water.

You can see it in action below:

View this post on Instagram

🤔 THESE DAYS, if you make a new garment and you don’t do the #handmadehustle , do you even instagram? #profound . IN ANY CASE I just finished making up the #EvieBiasSkirt in a heavenly silk satin; both pattern and fabric from @tessutifabrics and let me tell you, it is TRUE LOVE 😍😍😍 . 👉 SWIPE To see this fabric in action. 💃🏻 It is so divine it looks like some sort of mixture of running water and melted gold. . 🎧 SONG is ‘Saw Her Standing There’ by The Beatles. I know every lyric but I employed IMMENSE self control so that you didn’t have to see my dancing/singing face. No one is ready for that #youarewelcome . FACT - my dad and I recently lit up the dance floor with this tune at my sisters wedding and it may or may not be immortalised on film. No one is safe. . . . #silk #silkskirt #biascut #fashion #silkslip #sew #sewing #sewersofinstagram #tessutipatterns #tessutifabrics #thebeatles #johnlennon #thehandmadehustle

A post shared by Julia Bobbin (@juliabobbin) on Feb 22, 2019 at 8:21pm PST

The Details

This skirt is cut on the bias for a loose but form flattering shape.

I chose View B for the waistband, which finishes the waistband with a scalloped edge elastic. This makes the skirt quick and easy to make as there are no zippers or buttons and can be all done in one sitting.

I french seamed the side seams for a polished finish, and hemmed the skirt with a delicate narrow hem.

I cut a size 12 but ended up taking in the side seams by about 4cm and, pinched out about 10cm from the just above the widest part of my hip up to the waistline.
The great thing about a bias cut though, is even if you cut it in a bigger size, the cut will still drape to your shape so it will never look boxy.

Worn With

I've paired my skirt with my me-made leather jacket, BurdaStyle #108B which you can read about here

This jacket happens to be lined with a stunning silk twill that I also bought from Tessuti about 9 years ago, so it seems fitting that I should wear it with this skirt.

Final Thoughts

This cut and this colour make for such a great 'sew-frosting-but-still-a-basic' staple in my wardrobe. The green acts as a neutral and goes so well with most colours and styles.
It can be dressed up with heals and a blouse, or kept casual with sneakers and a tee. I love how versatile it is, but how it elevates every look.

I'm definitely not over this pattern and I plan to make it again in all the colours.

Wool and Linen - The Skirt Edition

It's fair to say, your girl has a soft spot for skirts. Leather, wool, linen; they are an easy way to mix up your wardrobe and they're so darn comfortable.

Here are another two recent skirts, and they certainly won't be the last.

Bonus drinking game: one shot for every photo where I'm touching my hair. You're welcome.

Pink Faux Wrap Skirt

I used a beautiful heavy weight linen from The Fabric Store for this self drafted skirt.

It's unlined and is closed at the centre back with an invisible zipper. I can't overstate how comfortable it is wearing linen. It feels light, breathes well and they say, improves with age.

Make The Look

McCall patterns recently released a pattern that is very similar to my version, minus the front darts. So if you are wanting to make a skirt like this, check out M7845

McCall 7845

The Wool Wrap Skirt

A self drafted, wool-blend wrap skirt, made with fabric from Spotlight.

This skirt is unlined and sits just below the waist, with facings instead of a waistband.

I repurposed the leather straps from an old, very loved pair of boots that had 'gone to God'. 

Using a leather needle on my sewing machine, I attached the straps to the skirt to use as closures. I love that I was able to breathe new life into an old pair of boots, to create something new.

Make The Look

If you're looking to make your own wrap skirt, The Nita Wrap Skirt by Sew DIY is a similar pattern and comes in different skirt lengths.

Or use Simplicity 8459 and substitute the self-fabric closure for leather straps.

And that's a wrap! Get it?!! (Worth it).

The Gram