19 May 2009

...3...

I believe it was last summer that I spotted this skirt (pun totally intended!) in the Boden catalogue and fell deeply in love with it. However, I was not deeply in love with the price (especially when I figured out the price with exchange and shipping - to get it through my front door would have cost over $150 CDN - ouch). Well, like any money wise (read as cheap) seamstress I figured I could make my own version, that fit much better, for a whole heck of a lot less. Not to mention, I wanted my skirt to be shorter (nothing stumpifies a short gal like a super long skirt) and have a slightly more flattering shape.

Enter Simplicity 4599 (my beloved TNT pattern - check out my other versions from the last few days) and a couple of linen remnants. I had some medium weight white linen left over from another project, so it became the body of the skirt. Another lighter weight beige linen was used for the yoke and the spot embellishments. The skirt also has a full separate lining, made from a lighweight silk/cotton blend woven.

To create the spots, I cut out three different sized circles and randomly placed them around the hem of the skirt, fiddling with them until I had an aesthetically pleasing layout. Each circle was attached tot the skirt by eight lines of sewing that went across the diameter of the circle, overlapping at the centre. Rather than back stitching at the circle's edges, I pulled the thread through to the back and hand tied each one - this took close to forever, but I think it was worth it, as I like the clean look of each circle. The edges of each circle were left raw and hopefully they will rough up nicely after a few washings.

After the skirt was complete, I realized that I needed a top to go with it. I decided to make BWOF 2/08 - 123. The fabric is a lightweight knit that matches the colour of the spots dead on. I didn't bother with the tie around the neck, as I liked the droopy front look and I thought it would look cute worn over a camisole.

Here I am, after a full day of work and an appointment, so pardon the "I've worn this for 12 hours already" look.

In the end, I have to say I actually like my version of the skirt better - it's customized to exactly what I wanted.

Once again, stay tuned for more fabulous TNT skirt love - I have a few more versions to share with y'all.

23 comments:

Unknown said...

Really cute skirt, and the top looks great, too! I wish I could look so fresh after 12 hours!

gwensews said...

Cute, cute, cute! Very clever, your fabric embellishments! Nice job!

Lori said...

Very cute outfit, what a great idea for embellishing the skirt.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Is stumpidifies a word? Really? *LOL* However, you know my heart beats faster and faster at how uniquely you've used your TNT skirt pattern! This is TNT sewing at its best. I am loving this series...please, please, please share more!

AllisonC said...

Great outfit, I love your interpretation of the Boden skirt and the BWOF top (that I still haven't got around to making) goes perfectly with it.

Jenny said...

Oh my gosh, I LOVE your outfit! I especially like how you left the circle edges raw. I would have stressed out about that bit.

Unknown said...

I love this serie and I stay tuned, no doubts!
I stay far away from everything else than pencil skirt, but perhaps you will make me change my mind...
And what a wonderfull example of TNT pattern!
Thanks for sharing this.

Miaaa

Pam Erny said...

Oh I just LOVE it !

...you always manage to inspire me...

angie.a said...

I'm so mad that I can't find that wardrobe pattern on ebay right now. Grr. I'm madder that I don't have it in stash of course!

But back to you. :P This is SO cute! I had forgotten about that top, and once upon a time wanted to make it too. I'll have to check & see if I traced it!

Linda T said...

Oh, this is soooo cute! Love the dots especially. The whole outfit is perfect.

Chris said...

This is so cute. I love the dots. Great interpretation of the RTW version.

stacysews said...

So cute! I love the embellishments that you added to the skirt! I love the top on you, too!

Unknown said...

I love the outfit. What a great sense of style you have. I love how you are using the same skirt over and over and making it your own. From inspiration to closet - better than the original. Great job. g

Gretchen the Household Deity said...

I totally love everything about the outfit! I am filing away your circle trick for future use...

AnnR said...

I came on this by chance! But coming from the land of Boden I have to tell you that this will made a million times better than they do...
I've been tempted twice by their catalogue; each time the garment was so badly made that I returned it - after having a close look at the styling!

KARIMA said...

Really very nice(cute!!!)outfit. It's my I sew. Can make most thing the length and size I want. Love the applique circles and how you attach them. The skirt should really look good after a few washes and the edges begin to fray a bit. I think I have that pattern somewhere in my pattern stash.hummmm think I'll go look for it.

KARIMA said...

Really very nice(cute!!!)outfit. It's my I sew. Can make most thing the length and size I want. Love the applique circles and how you attach them. The skirt should really look good after a few washes and the edges begin to fray a bit. I think I have that pattern somewhere in my pattern stash.hummmm think I'll go look for it.

Diana said...

Oh ,I love your applique solution to the polka dots!.What a great outfit!

wendy said...

So pretty! I love those colors together & how floaty the skirt looks

Sheila said...

Lovely skirt and like your variations on your TNT skirt love.

Peggy said...

Love the outfit and the embellishment - wow!

Tany said...

Another great outfit! You have been very busy!!

Linda L said...

I love the skirt and top. Like the dots as design feature.