Happy 2014 and ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Skirt’!

Happy 2014 everyone! I hope you’ve all had a ‘Guten Rutsch’ (good slide) into the New Year, as they say in these parts!

I’m posting this skirt review later than I’d planned. Holiday travel, sick children and other seasonal distractions completely derailed my blog posting schedule at the end of 2013 and thus far this year – but I’m British, so I’m keeping calm and carrying on regardless!

This is Skirt Three of my ‘Schwarzwald Autumn/Winter 2013 skirt trio collection made from BurdaStyle skirt pattern 12/2012 #105.

BurdaStyle 12/2012 skirt pattern in sequin wool fabric

The Schwarzwald inspiration for this skirt was the beautiful and sparkly frosts we get here in the Black Forest in winter.

Frosty Black Forest in Germany

To combat said chilly frosts, I made this skirt out of a thick wool fabric with a sequin top layer bought from Canepa Spa Outlet – the factory shop of Canepa Spa Italian designer fabric manufacturer at Lake Como, Italy.

Wool from Canepa Spa Outlet, Lake Como, Italy

The wool keeps me toasty warm even on the frostiest days. However the thick sparkly fabric adds bulk where I’d rather not highlight bulkiness and so if I were to make another sparkly skirt, I would definitely choose a slinkier sparkly fabric with better drape!

bulky fabric highlights all lumps and bumps!

No need to ask ‘Does my bum look big in this?’, I already have the big, shiny answer!

Anyway, moving on!

Again this skirt pattern was super simple to make even in this thick wool although the invisible zip that I put in the back centre seam has misbehaved a bit and keeps jamming in the wool. I may have to replace this at some point.

Viscose lining and ribbon waistband

I lined the skirt with a viscose lining and used more of the Mokuba grosgrain ribbon that I used for the other two skirts as the waistband with an invisible zip in the back centre seam with a hook and eye closing at the top.

Frumpy length?

I hand-stitched the hem after pondering for some time about ways to finish the hem off nicely. After I’d finished the skirt, I spotted a sparkly skirt on my travels in Zadig and Voltaire in France. For their version, they left the hem raw and the poly lining of the skirt protruded down below the hem a couple of centimetres, frayed for about a centimetre at the end, which gave the bottom of the skirt a softened look and also made it edgy looking. I prefer this finish so if I make this skirt over, I’d finish the hem like Zadig and Voltaire did.

Frumpy length?

The other main difference between their skirt and mine apart from the huge price tag of the Zadig one! is the length – Zadig and Voltaire’s skirt is fashionably mini.

‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Skirt’

Despite my skirt being a frumpy length and exaggerating all my lumps and bumps, it does keep me warm and the magpie in me does like the way the fabric sparkles!

Have you made anything that may not have been the most flattering thing for you but you liked it and wore it anyway??

The Schwarzwald Skirt Collection Autumn/Winter 2013 – Skirt Two -‘Forest Foliage’

This is the second skirt from my ‘Black  Forest’ skirt collection using Burdastyle 12/2012 #105 skirt pattern. This pattern has only two pattern pieces, is beginner friendly and can be made from less than one metre of fabric which make it pretty fab IMO!

Burdastyle skirt pattern 12/2012 #105

The autumn coloured leaves in the forest inspired me so this skirt is aptly named ‘Forest Foliage’.

The Black Forest foliage, Germany

I used a wool knit by Italian designer Missoni bought at this year’s Hollander Stoff Markt in Germany. I love the autumnal colours!

 I wasn’t sure whether a wool knit would work for this pattern but I didn’t alter anything and it seems fine. Phew!

 I used the same Petersham ribbon for the waistband as I did for my first version of this skirt. I also lined it with a viscose lining using the same pattern pieces as the outer fabric.

My main concern with this fabric was whether I could match the stripes up at the seams, but I think I just about pulled it off on the side seams!

The misbehaving back seam!

The stripes on the back seam with the zip refused to play nicely though! I unpicked the zip a few times but couldn’t get those deviant stripes to behave themselves and sewing invisible zips into wool knits isn’t a barrel of laughs I can tell you! Finally I surrendered to the wonky stripes!

Clingy fit!

Overall I’m happy with how this skirt turned out! The fabric is really comfy to wear and importantly for this time of year, it’s also cosy and warm! The fit of the skirt in the knit is a bit clingier than the other two skirts I’ve made from this pattern – as you can see in this semi-action photo above.

A bonus of using the Missoni fabric was that I could use the selvedge edge as the hem which eliminated a step in the sewing process and speeded up the making of this skirt. Much appreciated! Cheers Missoni!

To round off this ‘Black Forest’ skirt collection, I’ll post the final of the skirt trio next week. Until then, here’s a sneak peak of ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Skirt’!

‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Skirt’

Later!

Christine

M.M.M.’13 Version 2.1 and Collegien Giveaway news!

My-Maxi-Miette 2013.

This pattern hack of the Miette skirt pattern by Tilly and the Buttons, was the result of an online search of Miette pattern reviews and a suggestion by the lovely Oonaballoona on her blog to make the Miette into a maxi. I thought this was a great idea and immediately stole it  was inspired to make one myself.

Maxi Miette skirt on tour in Venice, Italy

It’s really easy to make this pattern into a maxi. All you have to do is lengthen the bottom of the front and back pattern pieces to your desired final skirt length, being careful to follow the angle of the outer lines of the original pattern and remembering to include a hem allowance. Then construct the skirt as usual and voila, you have a maxi!

One more maxi skirt to add to this summer’s growing collection

I used a really lightweight and fine linen bought from Anita Pavani online shop (http://www.naturstoff.de) in the Italian designer fabrics section, to make mine. It’s really nice to wear and has washed well. I did French seams to join the main skirt pieces.

(BTW – Anita Pavani provide washing care instructions for the fabrics they sell and they recommend not spinning linen in the washing machine when you wash it, you should hang it and allow it to drip dry instead.)

Very fine and slightly transparent Italian linen

I partially lined my maxi-skirt with more of the organic cotton batiste that I bought at http://www.lebenskleidung.com, that has served me so well as a lining for all of my summer makes this year. The batiste is really lightweight so it hardly added to the weight of the skirt at all but just gave me enough coverage and confidence to step out in bright sunlight, safe in the knowledge that my undies weren’t on show! I didn’t line the overlap piece at the back because it wasn’t necessary.

Lined partially with organic cotton batiste.

I made another Wiksten tank top in a Liberty Art Fabrics cotton print to go with this skirt, which I wore on this day-trip to Venice, Italy during our summer holiday this year. Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of it in Venice because by the time we’d reached the city from where we were staying, I’d already put my jumper on over the top of it, so here it is on my dress-form Beatrice.

Wiksten tank top and Tilly and the Buttons Miette skirt

Wiksten tank top in Liberty Art Fabric cotton print

BTW – If you’re planning to visit Venice, I would suggest getting to the Rialto bridge in time to catch the sun setting over the Grand Canal – the view is spectacular!

The view from the Rialto bridge over the Grand Canal, in Venice, Italy

It gets a bit jammed with tourists though! You wouldn’t believe how many people I had to elbow in the face to get a bit of clearance for this photo!

The Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. Elbows come in handy here!

Of course I’m exaggerating – it wasn’t that many!!

Anyway back to the Miette maxi skirt. It was comfortable and practical to wear for a day’s sightseeing around the quaint little streets of Venice.

Hanging with my kids in Venice

The skirt performed well under pressure, even under the harshest of test conditions, such as when I was hurling my toddler over the bridge into the canal for misbehaving! The back flap of the wrap didn’t budge all day, successfully avoiding any embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions!

No wardrobe malfunctions of the back wrapover flap.

Again, only joking of course – MY kids don’t misbehave!!

Very posy looking – I was actually just readjusting the wrap when my husband snapped this!

All in all, Tilly and the Buttons has created a very versatile skirt pattern and I love it!

As I write this, Tilly’s busy finishing off her first book for sewing beginners which is due out next spring. I can only imagine how good that’ll be! I wish her lots of luck with it and I’m sure it’ll be a huge success!

More YoSaMi news – don’t forget to stay tuned for the giveaway soon, it really is worth waiting for! You could win your very own pair of these delightful Collegien slipper socks!

Collegien slipper socks – they’re French!

Also, I’ve finally finished my red silk Anna dress by By Hand London after what feels like f-o-r-e-v-e-r! I’ll be posting it as soon as I’ve had a chance to photograph it!!

Have a great week,

Christine

YoSaMi Guide to the Autumn Colour Trends 2013

I realise that the question on everybody’s lips right now is, ‘What are the key colour trends for the autumn 2013 season in the provinces of Southern Germany?’

So let me put you all out of your anxiety and offer you a YoSaMi breakdown of the colour impact on the mood of the autumn season in this European fashion hub.

Balancing act

‘Deep red and yellow shades of compensate and counterbalance precisely embellish the surroundings with daring enthusiasm. Green and orange tones of integrate and accommodate expose a rich canvas. Shimmering pink accents add unadulterated gusto while epitomising obscurity. An act of grandiose proportions.’

Strike a pose

‘Crimson shades of affectation uncover a landscape of undeniable pretense. Mauve and lilac tones join in perfect unison with green to display unprecedented certainty. Delicate and subtle pink concepts reveal hidden ingenuity. A lasting and desirable impression.’

Light Touch 

‘Golden yellow tones of strike a chord distinguish the balance between delicacy and suppleness. Leaf textures evoke a deep notion of unconstrained delight.’

 

Luxe so good 

‘Ostentatious shades of deep burgundy exude unflinching opulence on a backdrop of an elaborate wooden garden table of diversity. Lime hues of hedonistic majesty draw attention. Intense scarlet tones of lavish luxury complete the package. Sumptious and self indulgent.’

Sole statement 

‘Vivid yellow shades of bona fide radiate with refinement on an ingenious palette of untainted invention. Fuchsia tones of genuine existence coalesce with flawlessness on a canvas of floral innovation. Fiery orange shades unify with elements of striking light purple to create a sensation of vivacity and vitality. Lime green tones of intrinsic origination inspire realistic visions of unique ingenuity. Substantive and sincere.’

What colours are trending in your corner of the world this season?