Vogue 7937: deja vu (a.k.a using up the bits left over)

Thursday 7 November 2013
I seem to have a bit of a scatter gun approach to my sewing at the moment, which is never good for productivity and outcomes. At my last ASG sewing day I started making a muslin for another blazer, greatly helped with fitting and advice from the lovely ladies there that day. I cut out a dress to make specifically to wear to the PR high tea organised by Maria for this Saturday, but I couldn't start sewing it because I needed a zipper and a bajillion metres of piping. So then I traced out a Burda top (ironically both Sharon over at Petite and Sewing and Andrea over at Fabric Epiphanies have just made this top as well) but I couldn't sew that either because I ran out of white overlocking thread of all things!

Instead I decided to make a skirt out of the largish piece of fabric leftover from my pants in the last post instead of putting it back on the fabric shelf. The leftover bit was a long, narrow L shape too big to throw out so I wasn't sure what I could squeeze out of it. I almost decided to make something for Anna, but I'm not a huge fan of matching mummy and me outfits, so gladly I managed to make this:



I used Vogue 7379 view B, which is one of their basic designs and I've had it for ages but is still available. It is very simple and almost fool proof in comparison to the similar Burda pattern I made recently in the red crepe that annoyed me so much. The pattern pieces are long and narrow because the front and back are in three pieces.


And by the luck of the sewing gods I even managed to get the pattern to line up across those seams so that you can barely see them:


Because I knew the blue floral, which is a cotton linen, would stretch and bag out I underlined the skirt with a thin polycotton poplin hoping that it would help it keep its shape as well as prevent any sheerness of the fabric. It seems to have worked, because at the end of the day the skirt had loosened a little bit but wasn't too saggy at all. It also made the inside look quite neat:


But just in case it did stretch out too much I wore it with this cute green belt I found in a op shop recently:



The only thing I found odd about the pattern is that the centre front and centre back panels are wider that the pattern line drawing suggests and the proportions seem a little strange to me. If I make this again I would narrow them a little and make the side panels a little wider instead:


Excuse those photobombing children in the background - they were a little excited about breaking up our usual morning routine of rushing about madly trying to get out the door on time and were running around like crazy. Who know what our neighbours and various people driving past were thinking!

And because I don't like wearing singlet tops to the office (far too revealing and casual) I wore this with a navy blue blazer over the top:


I did roll up the sleeves though for a slightly casual effect - I think this outfit would be a good casual Friday outfit (except that I don't work on Fridays so Wednesdays are the closest I get to a casual day!). Ironically it was really cold earlier this week so I ended up freezing going to work with bare legs and open toes, but I can see this skirt getting worn a lot this coming summer. Especially with the white blazer I'm planning to make if I can get it out of the muslin stage sometime soon!

67 comments:

  1. Keep at it Kristy. You make leftover fabric look stylish!

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  2. Oh I love this fabric/pattern combination. Looks great (loving the belt too)

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  3. I really like the skirt, and love it combined with the green belt. Nice one!

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  4. Ooh.. Lovely. I hardly ever get a chance to comment but I always love your makes, and this skirt is a classic.. I also totally loved your red jacket you made! I'm really looking forward to meeting you on Saturday!

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    1. Thanks Janelle - it was great catching up with you on Saturday, so much to talk about so little time!

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  5. Love the skirt and the cute little belt! I must put that pattern on my list.

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    1. Thanks Andrea - the pattern is such a good basic that I can thoroughly recommend it

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  6. It's a lovely skirt and I love it with the green belt. You look very smart - in that casual way!

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    1. oh thank you - I find smart casual really hard to get right so I'm glad this combo works

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  7. I love the skirt! I think the pattern would be too serious for Anna, so it's good you found a perfect pattern for it. You really matched everything perfectly, you almost cannot tell the seams between the panel, wow! *^o^*

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    1. yes you're right that the fabric wouldn't have been quite right for a little girl skirt or dress - especially as it's not pink!

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  8. I love that fabric, and a simple skirt is a great way to highlight the pattern! Looks great with the blazer or worn casual.

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  9. What a great combo of pattern & fabric. I have that pattern too, so I'm even more inspired now!

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    1. you should definitely make one - it's not difficult or time consuming and the pattern is drafted really well so I'm sure you'll make a great skirt too

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  10. This is a great work outfit! And I'm glad that you used up those last pieces of scraps instead of adding it back to the shelves. BTW, are you still taking your pics with the remote or are you being photographed? Just wondering because I like the new ones alot!

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    1. These photos are with the remote and tripod - I am trying really hard to get out and about for more interesting backgrounds despite the high embarrassment factor!

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  11. The ensemble is great!!! I love the skirt with the blazer. You did a fabulous job on this.

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  12. Gorgeous skirt. Love that you were able to print match!

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    1. I didn't think that I'd be able to match the print since I had so little fabric left, but it all just worked itself out

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  13. lovely outfit - looks great!

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  14. Cute skirt! What a great find you have in that belt too! :)

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    1. Thanks Jean - I haven't been opshopping for ages (since I'm trying to declutter) so it was a good find

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  15. Love your skirt and looks great the way you styled it. Have fun on Saturday. I'll be there in spirit:)

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  16. What a fantastic use of your leftover fabric. I love this fabric in a skirt and you definitely did the right thing with the underlining. Not sure if would have saved my saggy bottom tunic in the same fabric, but wish I'd thought of lining it at least. Looks fantastic and the fit is great!

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    1. Yes I was a bit worried about the fabric bagging out even in a skirt after you said you had problems with your tunic, but the underlining seems to be holding it all in nicely

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  17. You look fantastic Kirsty. Love the pop of green from the belt.

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    1. I almost went with boring and predictable brown for the belt, but I'm glad I decided to mix it up a little

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  18. Great skirt and I love the belt with it. Perfect casual yet professional outfit.

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  19. Love this! The pattern is very stylish, and the fabric suits it so well. I think you'll get a lot of wear out of it

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    1. thanks Kaitlyn, I can definitely see myself wearing this alot

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  20. Love the shape of this skirt...it's so flattering, and to think you made it out of left overs. Well done.

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    1. Thank you, I'm glad I didn't stick this piece back in the stash but used it instead

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  21. Like everyone else commenting, I love this skirt and the very cute green belt. At first I thought you were wearing a skirt from Sportscraft as it looks so professional . I like how you lined it in poly/cotton to stop it sagging. You look great in it and especially teamed up with your white top and navy blazer.

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    1. thank you - I love Sportscraft clothes so your comment means a lot to me!

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  22. Fabulous skirt - love that print and the fit is amazing!

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  23. Great use if leftovers! Skirts are in my wish list at the moment. Thanks for the link back and do get some white cotton because that tee pattern is worth it.

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    1. Yes I'll definitely be making the Burda tee, it will probably go well with this skirt too I think!

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  24. I love skirts for one metre wonders. Love the combo of blue with green bow belt.

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    1. Thanks Gail - skirts are a good way to use up those smaller pieces aren't they?

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  25. I suspect that pattern matching is skill, not luck! Terrific looking skirt, lovely fabric, and the fit looks spot on.

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    1. Thanks Gabrielle, I wish I could claim it was skill but it usually seems that the harder I try the worse I make it!

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  26. That is a beautiful use up for scraps! It looks lovely with your navy blazer, but I think white would be amazing. Can't wait to see it!

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    1. Thanks Katie - I have to make the white blazer now that I've put it out there don't I?

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  27. I love it! It's a perfect work dress for everyday in my world. It looks wonderful with the blazer and belt.

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  28. Blue and green is such a fab combo! That's inspiring, I'll say.

    And I totally feel you when it comes to current sewing tactics. It's like I'm a kid in a candy store, completely without direction. :)

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    1. It can be a fun way to sew though - sewing what you want when you want, but I lack discipline sometimes in going back to finish what I start!

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  29. Your whole outfit looks so good, as does the skirt. Your pattern matching is impeccable!!

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    1. I would like to claim the pattern matching as being due to my skill but it was just pure luck (for a change the sewing gods were being kind to me)

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