Zipper Back Pencil Skirt

😐

After making my Company Holiday Party Dress, I had a little over a yard and a half of fabric left. I do not believe in wasting fabric and I use my resources wisely (I am a Girl Scout).

 

 I do not own a pencil skirt that hugs my figure.  For some odd reason I can never find a decent pencil skirt.  If you find a RTW plus size pencil size that will flatter my figure please let me know!

 

I could not find a simple pencil skirt pattern for stretch fabrics.  I achieved this look with Mimi G's Simplicity pattern #1283.  I cut the skirt back and the lining front to make this skirt.  Yes, that's what I said, the lining front.  I had to refer back to my tips for working with Velvet.  Thank goodness for taking good notes.

 

This skirt was less than a yard to make. I knew it would be hella cute with a zipper back.  

Front Dart woohoo!!!!

 

The hem of my skirt is actually the salvage of my fashion fabric.  I love the salvage so much that I wanted to show it.  And there it is!

 

 

The hardest part was the zipper. After three tries, I was finally able to install the zipper without the fabric bunching up.  I am in love with this skirt.  It is not a perfect fit .  This pattern still needs some tweaking.  But, I am happy with the end result and will definitely make another pencil skirt.

I am losing weight Yeah!!!!  Woohoo! Unfortunately, I am losing my butt boooooo! 

 

Next on the cutting board:

Simplicity 1382
We're approaching the end of the school year and my oldest daughter has a few events coming up.  I  ordered two dresses online but, I decided that I should make her a dress as well.   Before diving into this pattern I had a figure out some things first.  This pattern stops at a size 16.  My daughter is a size 18.  I figured that I would grade this pattern up to a size 20.  I don't remember where I heard this, but you can only grade a pattern two sizes up before the sizing gets distorted.

Then I made a muslin.  I hate making muslins but this dress needs to fit perfectly.

 

 

This is the front bodice which should be cut on the fold but like an idiot I was not paying attention and I cut two.  Follow directions!!!

I had to sew my the bodice in the center.  That's definitely going to screw up my front bodice. 

I have lost my mind.  This is my first time grading up a pattern.  I've made a mistake some where.  My front and back side seams do not line up.  I am going crazy! 

Fluttering --Mimi G Top

 Impulsive [im-puhl-siv]: actuated or swayed by emotional or involuntary impulses

Impulsive sewing is that a thing? If so, I am probably the leader of the pack.  I was shopping the other day and found a cute pair of loose pants.  I mean just gorgeous and so I had to find just the right blouse for it.  The first image that came to my mind was Mimi G's flutter top.

That night, I looked up Mimi G's Tutorial  on YouTube. I could not sleep until I made this top.  I was obsessed I tell you!!!   It took about an hour and a half to make.  Not bad!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Pattern Review

Pattern Description:

Exposed shoulder flutter top

Pattern Sizing: 

Made to fit your measurements.  That's the create thing about sewing!!! 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

No envelope-I used a video tutorial by Mimi G.  It looks just like the picture she posted on her blog.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Mimi G did an awesome job with the instruction (on the video tutorial).

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

There is nothing to dislike about the pattern.

Fabric Used:

White knit that I bought at Joanns

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I added an inch to the flutter.  It is not noticeable because I am busty.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes I would recommend this to others.  I just cut out the fabric to make another top like this. 

Conclusion:
I was kind of lost towards the end of the video.  I was not sure how the elastic encasement worked around the arms.  Once I started sewing it all came together.  This project took me a little over an hour to do.  This pattern is a winner.  I am busty so the next top I make I will add 3 inches to the flutter.