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Pit Stop In Flamingo City

I think the theme of my SSW1 is quickly becoming The Collection Of Nothing That Was Planned. 50% of what I've sewn was not on my To Do list 6 weeks ago. It'll be fun to see where I end up, I guess. Hopefully it will all coordinate in some way.

So, remember that secret project I mentioned last week? The pattern is being released today and that means I get to share it! Seville Skirt from Itch-To-Stich is a fit & flare style woven skirt pattern with a side zip. The pattern includes directions for both a line and unlined version. My test version is made with a brown wool suiting purchased several years ago from Fabric Mart, and lined with cream Bemberg rayon. 


I wore it all day after the photos were taken and felt comfortable and pretty all day long. No digging into my waist, no twisting around my body, no tugging back into place. This version is a size 8, blended to a 12 at the waist. The only adjustment made for this was removing about 2.75 inches of length at the L&S line to account for my shortness. I also used a 3/4 inch hem at the front/sides and blended to a 1/2 inch at the CB. In my next version, I will make a slight AAA (Awesome Ass Adjustment) to the back. Seems I have a more voluptuous back side than the average size 8 and I need a touch more width and length to highlight my assets properly. I have rather immediate plans to make another in an abstract navy/white linen. I'm sure you'll see it pop up here soon. Something about fabric swirling around your knees with no risk of being blown up by the wind... And believe me, it was SO windy when I was trying to take these!


This skirt is piece #3 for my SSW1. I now have 2 pairs of jeans, a skirt and a dress. 

A dress? Yes. I made a dress last week. Back in February I impulsively purchased this flamingo panel print fabric at my local Not Joann's store: Field's Fabrics. It's marked simply as "Designer, unknown fiber". I bought it because it was so so soft. And also I was strangely drawn to the birds. After a little research, I discovered that this fabric is a crushed rayon challis, produced for an Hawaiian resort-wear company called Jams World. It wrinkles mad-crazy when washed & dried, but presses well and was easy to work with. 


Hawaiian Shirts are not my thing, so I decided to go sundress with this and used the panel print for the skirt portion of a sleeveless Sewaholic Yaletown dress. I originally was convinced that I needed to find a coordinating grey for the bodice, but as I was unable to find anything that came close to working, I settled on an ivory Robert Kaufman fabric. It's a polyester that is slightly spongier and has less drape than ideal, but the color was absolutely spot on...and it was the only fabric in two stores that worked. I very nearly turned it into a simple peplum blouse and nixed the whole skirt, but my companions in the Stashbusting Facebook Group encouraged me to stay the course. 



I wasn't without some bumps in the road:

1. I learned too late that cutting on grain meant the print on the skirt would be slightly skewed.

2. I also cut the bodice front pieces twice. The first time the neckline gaped terribly. I pinched out about 3/4 inches from the CF point and rotated the "dart" to the waist. Seeing as how it's a gathered waistline, it was easy to adjust the front skirt by the same amount and hide it there.

3. Somehow I ended up with way too much length in the bodice. Of course, in a piece like this, it was hard to tell until after I had the skirt attached and the elastic in. I tore it apart, reduced the bodice by 1 inch and reattached everything.

4. And then there was accidentally using more spray starch than necessary in my china silk lining. I had to rinse it out in the bathtub and dry it on the bedroom fan. It's much better now!







I used an old tutorial from Sew Mama Sew to insert my side seam pockets into the French seams of my skirt. It wasn't complicated, but it did add a significant amount of sewing time for me. All that pressing and trimming, you know. I am super pleased with the results.





This Week's Goals:

I'm a bit hesitant to list anything here, as I'm not actually doing it. So maybe I'll just be vague and see what I have to share next week.

  1. Continue working on my Fari Coat. While I haven't included an update this week, I HAVE done some work on it, and it's coming together slowly. I've never worked with nylon before, and I'm learning that I can only work with it for so long before I get annoyed and need a break.
  2. Trace my friends wrap cardigan, as I have to return it to her on Friday.
  3. Irena Sweater, maybe in time to take with me on my trip this weekend?
  4. Cut out my Marigold Blouse. It will work with my SSW1 AND is the March project on the Sew Alongs & Sewing Contests page.
Join the conversation at our Group's Facebook Page, Sew Alongs & Sewing Contests, and share what you are working on this week! 

Did you miss a previous Seasonal Sew Wardrobe Post? Catch up here:

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