25 August 2009

Butterick 4745 & Textile Studio Madison Avenue

Pattern: Butterick 4745 (jacket and skirt - view A &D) & Textile Studio Madison Avenue Dress (shortened to a top)


Size: Jacket and Skirt: size 8; Top - size XS

Fabric: Jacket and Skirt - brown rayon/linen from Fabric Mart; Top - brown/coral floral knit from Textile Studio.

Project Photo
: The photos show the outfit with the jacket closed, the jacket open and the jacket removed.


Comments: I wanted a lightweight suit for work. I was looking for something professional and appropriate for warmer days at school. I have always liked B4745 and although I have made the skirt in the past, I really wanted to give the jacket a go. Both pieces went together easily and fit beautifully straight out of the envelope. The jacket closes at centre front with four oblong buttons and self fabric loops.

Both the jacket and the skirt are lined in a coral cotton voile. I wanted to reduce the wrinkling, while maintaining the breathability, of the linen. The colour of the lining is a perfect match to the coral print in the top.

I really like the style lines of the Madison Avenue dress, so I figured shortening it up into a top was a the way to go. I can see making many more of this top - it's simple, comfortable and uses very little fabric.

Conclusion: I really like this outfit - it's pretty darn flattering if I say so myself. The combination of the full skirt and the fitted jacket is perfect for my pear shaped body - it emphasizes the good parts and disguises the bad. It's a win-win situation!

34 comments:

Lori said...

You are right, very nice outfit, the colors are great on you, too.

Uta said...

That's one of my favorite outfits on you. Very pretty, hugely flattering! I love to see your garden in the background.

Erica Bunker said...

Fantastic of outfit! You look great!

Anonymous said...

Very flattering! Great outfit for school, speaking of which, my DIL is a teacher too and goes in today to start setting up her classroom. Where on earth did the summer go?

Anonymous said...

Very flattering. I like the idea of shortening the dress for a top. Very nice!

I am very behind on blog reading--thanks for the tutorial on the Hepburn waistband and love the yellow "sunflower" nail polish!

Fran said...

This is smashing on you -- I love the idea of the coral lining with the brown fabric.

wendy said...

very nice! the color looks really good on you too :-)

Lisette M said...

I love this outfit! Anything in brown I just adore. Looking at the top pattern reminded me that I have this pattern and the perfect fabric for it. I just settled on my next project. Thanks!

sisidaboom said...

This looks better on you than the pattern photo. I must say, along with everyone else, this is an immensely flattering outfit and the summer vacation has been great fot you. You look beautiful. Question: Does the voile really reduce the wrinkle factor?

Rachel said...

That is a gorgeous outfit and the color looks great on you!! Your haircolor is so pretty.

Trudy said...

This is a gorgeous suit. Very feminine. You look awesome in it.

Jen said...

Lovely outfit, that brown linen is working well for you. I recall a few outfits you've made from it.

Reethi said...

This looks fantastic - great outfit!

Elizabeth said...

Yes, you may say so yourself- nothing wrong with a little positive self talk. And I agree with you it's pretty darn flattering.

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

Okay, I'm loving this! Really loving this...and I didn't know that you had some of the FM brown linen...I used mine last year and wished I had bought more it was soooo great!

Sarah said...

I love it- esp. the jacket- it's gorgeous! Great color choice too! Off to take a look at that pattern :D

Tamara said...

Beautiful! It definitely is very flattering!

Unknown said...

Sqeee! Your outfit is totally rockin'. Not only are the fit and cut of the garments flattering, your color choices are out of this world. Love it.

Meg said...

Snazz-oh-la! Love it.

Cennetta said...

Great outfit, Shannon; and a beautiful smile go along with it.

Rose said...

Yep, I really like this outfit, too. "It's pretty darn flattering..."!!!!

Carol said...

This is such a great suit. The jacket is perfect for a lightweight suit, adding sophistication without being restrictive. I really like the buttons, too. You're right about how flattering it is.

Unknown said...

the color, the fit..everything just perfect!

Sharon said...

I'm in love with your gorgeous outfit, the fit, style and colour mix is brilliant.

gwensews said...

Divine! Both the color and the style are perfect for you. Nice job.

Gail said...

Great styling - as usual. I'm sure that you'll command attention in this.

mochimo said...

Lovely outfit! I really really really like the jacket.

Marie-Christine said...

Another great style for you. Love how you can balance out the professional and the interesting. And your productivity puts us all to shame..

Chris said...

Great outfit. Looks fantastic on you!

Helen said...

Stunning! Colours are beautiful and I love the style of the jacket. Please keep posting your photos!

Vicki said...

Nice suit. Love the whole outfit on you.

Mardel said...

Really fabulous suit.

Tany said...

What a stunning outfit! You look great!

Anonymous said...

love jacking off to these pictures