This knit top and skirt were projects two and three from February. Aren’t you terribly proud of me? I’ve made my goal for January and February and well, that makes me seriously happy. Not only that, but here you see that I’ve actually made an outfit! Now that takes skill, friends. Skill.
Let’s talk the top first. McCall’s 6513. I LOVE this top. I’ve got to make myself another one. I was so happy with the way it turned out. The idea to make a top like this sprung into my head from Kristin over at K-line. After her navy blue number I went out in search of the Vogue pattern she used and of course, found it sold out locally. I happened upon this McCall’s number immediately after as I was flipping through the pattern books. Match made in heaven.
It’s made from a stable heathery grey knit that I got from Yellow Bird. I get tons of compliments when I wear this top – even Mr. S likes it! In fact, he LOVES it. I could wear this thing everyday. Yup! I should have a pattern review up by the end of this week if you’re interested in making it up yourself and would like to read a review. The pattern had a few quirks, no more than usual. But, you know.
Now for the skirt. The skirt was an experiment really. It’s my own pattern draft and it’s a gored little thing. I’ve been having serious accordian pleat skirt envy and though I know this is not an accordian pleated skirt, I was thinking of a way to have one made up in a natural fiber. If you don’t know, accordian pleated skirts are usually synthetic – polyester, nylon, etc. – and many are chemically treated to hold a pleat and well, I don’t have access to pre-pleated fabric, much less chemicals to hold pleats. Whatever. This baby is made from wool crepe – another purchase from Yellow Bird. By the way, have I ever mentioned that I adore wool crepe? Maybe not, but I do. It’s such a gorgeous fabric in my humble opinion. I seriously think the world of it. So when I found it in this mustardy yellow color, I had to have it.
Again, this skirt is gored and then for added kicks I stitched a tuck down the center of each gore and pressed it to one side. I have to admit, the result is totally cool and reminds me so much of the 70′s era. The color, style and drape give it that great retro vibe. It may not exactly be an accordian pleated skirt, but I’ll still give it high marks as it turned out rather interesting. Dontcha think?
I thought I would try something new here too and give you all the link to the pattern or similar pattern used and a link to a similar fabric plus all the extras. I’ve seen this on style blogs and I love it! So if you have to have one of your own, here goes:
Knit Blouse – McCall’s 6513 – similar cloth
Skirt – self drafted (similar pattern) – similar cloth
Belt – Belt & Buckle Kit
March is going to be seriously busy around here! I’m excited that I’ll be participating in some sewing excitement around the blogsphere. Anyway, what’s on your sewing table for March? I’m just about to finish up my version of the Darling Ranges dress. Think elephants. Navy. You know, the usual.
Kiss Kiss,
Sunni
Evie - I would never have chosen that top pattern. Now I want one in every colour. You’re such an inspiration.
Evie recently posted..Made by Ma and Little Sweet Peas cardigan – F/O 7/2012
lisa g - love the whole outfit! i’ll have to check out that top pattern, the pattern envelope is definitely not inspiring. yours, however, totally is!
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Elizabeth - I seriously love that skirt. What a great idea to put the pin tucks in!
Great outfit!
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Tasha - The top is great, SO flattering on you! And I love the effect on the skirt with the tucks. They’re both fab.
That yellow color is one I’m obsessing over lately. I can’t seem to get enough yellow in the pale to sunny to mustard range. Not that I ever loved beige to start, but I’m going to use it like beige, since it just seems to go with so many other colors. Yellow is my new neutral! (Not really sure what that says about me. lol)
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Alexis - Love the outfit! I have a question about knits – I’ve seen the term “stable knit” a lot lately but haven’t been able to figure out what it means. The fabric you linked to is a 4-way stretch, so does that mean a stable knit can be a 4-way (instead of just a 2-way) stretch?
Jill - i love the combination of mustard and gray! great job!
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Paunnet - You’re adorable, and I want your skirt! Also, every time I see a photo of you, my long hidden wish to have bangs resurfaces…
Can’t wait to see your take in the Darling Ranges dress!!!
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K-Line - Holy crow – I LOVE this outfit. And I think I prefer your McCalls top to the Vogue one I made. Hmmm, there may be another of those in my future! The skirt is fantastic! So cheerful, so chic. Excellent job.
Uta - Gorgeous outfit! You’re inspiring.
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Sue - How smart of you to sew up a whole outfit!
I really love each part: the yellow skirt is amazing; I’m so inspired by the top (thanks for sharing the similar fabric link!); and the pops of red really pull it all together — interesting and chic!
Heather Lou - That skirt is the bees knees. Literally.
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Heather - I’m a new follower, and WOW, do I love this outfit!! Absolutely everything about it!
Lauren - Ohhh, I love love yellow & grey together. Especially with those little pops of red. Wonderful outfit, Sunni! I cannot believe how Frumps-McGee that pattern envelope is in comparison to how the shirt looks on you. This is because you are a magician, I am sure of it.
Stevie - Hey hun,
That is a seriously beautiful outfit I think I am gonna have to get that mccalls pattern!
Great colour combo too! I am in the process of emailing you back! x
didyoumakethat - Wow, you have SUCH good taste. I absolutely love this. Yes, I really like wool crepe too but have never actually sewn with it yet as I tend to wince at the price.
didyoumakethat recently posted..Knit Relief 2012
Dana - I LOVE your top. I think I need one. And thanks so much for adding the patterns and links to similar fabric. Since I’m new so sewing garments I haven’t a clue about great fabric and where to find it. I’m so happy to have found your blog!
LauraD - Actually, you do. First, you hand-baste the pleats into the fabric on both sides and make the garment. Then, you soak a press cloth in a 2-1 vinegar-water solution, wring it out, lay it over the fabric, and iron the pleats in. I do this on both sides of the fabric. Next, take out your basting stitches, and then carefully iron again to get the lines more crispy. Now the pleat lines will hold through washing, though you do have to iron the skirt and iron the pleats back into it before wearing.
The reason why they use synthetic fibers is because they don’t wrinkle, and whatever shape you put them into, they stay without ironing. It’s entirely possible to pleat natural fibers, you just have to do more maintenance on them.
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Barny - wow, what an amazing outfit! i love the shirt, what does gored mean?
so inspiring
Barnicles x
Lucia Pellin - This yellow piece of cloth can make anyone look gorgeous. I absolutely love the design.
Thanks for sharing.
-Lucia
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Lizz - Great outfit! The blouse looks phenomenal on you and I love the skirt. What type of seam treatment did you apply on the skirt to get that pintuck look? I love that detail!
Lizz recently posted..1. Peach Blossom
suzy - What a gorgeous combination and the colours are beautiful!
And I notice you have something made out of a fabric I have and have no clue what to do with. That garment hanging on your door? Is it an apron? I have about 3 meters of that same fabric but have been stuck for ages inwhat to do with it.
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Laura - The skirt is lovely and I love the construction of the top! I have to make more outfits, because I always end up with separate garments that don’t go together..
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Jessica Weese - What a gorgeous outfit! I absolutely love the yellow. Any thoughts on publishing your skirt patern? I love the way it turned out!
Sherry - Gorgeous outfit! This style of top really suits you – I never feel ‘right’ in wrap styles for some reason. And I love your skirt details – the alternating pintucks and seams make a nice and interesting effect!
Sherry recently posted..Tricks of the Trade – Sewing an Invisible Hem
Seraphinalina - Wow, that is a great outfit. I love the way the skirt turned out. I love the little detail of the tucks.
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LM - This outfit is BEAUTIFUL! i love the colors, all 3 of them! very well done
and you look so pretty!
btw, any plans on finishignup those directions on how to sew the linig to the pencil skirt? please, pretty please?
Oh, and I ADORE the little summary at the end with fabric and pattern suggestion. So thoughtful of you!
maria - I LOVE this outfit. And I think its a great idea to link where you got everything.
Sassy T - Love, love, love the skirt.
Katie - Omg I love everything about your outfit! Most especially the skirt. Now I must make one myself!
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Emily - Fantastic outfit! I especially like the skirt. I’m looking forward to your review of the top pattern. I’ve only used one purchased knit top pattern and it was way too big in the body and snug on the sleeves. I’ve been making my own not nearly as interesting tops now.
Emily recently posted..Turtleneck Refashion
mokosha - lovely outfit.. that blouse looks like one nice and easy project, i should give it a try
Gail - What a terrific Blog! Hope you don’t mind, I’m going to link to it from my sewing blog. Your top and skirt turned out terrific. In case your readers can’t get a copy of the top pattern, they might want to pop into my store where we have over 7000 new, uncut sewing patterns for sale at Moonwishes Sewing and Crafts http://MoonwishesStore.ecrater.com . Currently we have the McCall’s top pattern 6513 for sale at this link http://moonwishesstore.ecrater.com/search.php?cid=0&keywords=mccalls+6513&x=56&y=2 but can’t guarantee how long they will be available. Found you through the write up in Vogue Pattern magazine.
maddie - You did such a good job! And I love how you drafted the pattern for the skirt! Go Sunni! Everything is amazing – the color, the fit, the fabric. I can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve next!
maddie recently posted..What I Heart Right Now: Slubby Knits
SueC56 - Love the skirt!
SueC56 recently posted..Change of topic: Vintage style – Imelda May
petite josette - this outfit is gorgeous and it fits you so well! I really want to try sewing knit tops, but I’m so picky when it comes to quality fabric, I wouldn’t know what to buy. This top looks great though, really makes me want to try it….
Thanks for sharing!
erin - That skirt is super cute. Love that vertical tuck detail.
erin recently posted..fast and easy sewing
Gabrielle - What a gorgeous outfit – wow! Your skirt looks such a great fit (and a flattering cut), and I really would not have expected that top to look so good.. yours is a great ad for the pattern.
Becky - That’s a great outfit! I like the juxtaposition of the cheery yellow against the grey, and that looks like pretty much the perfect knit wrap-type top.
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Rachel - Adorable. I was on a hunt not to long ago for practical knits I could wear to work and around the house with the boy. I think I will be getting this pattern soon. Well at least when McCall’s Patterns go on sale.
Also I was inspired by your yellow bot tie blouse and had to try that pattern. I’ll be posting it on my blog next week along with the gang over at Simplicity Pattern Group. I’d love for you to come check it out since you inspired the blouse.
Gerwerken - I showed my husband your outfit, and he actually offered to buy the fabric for me to make one for myself. Now, that’s inspiring.
Nethwen - Love the pintucks on the skirt. A gored, flared skirt is on the sometime-in-the-future list for me to learn how to draft.
Sunni - Very inspiring! I’m totally jealous! Please tell me that you’ve taken him up on the offer!
Sunni - Oh I will! Thanks for letting me know! It’s definitely a favorite blouse of mine. I wear it a TON! I’m quite sure that you’ll get just as much love out of it.
Sigrid - Seriously gorgeous! I love it all, and your red belt gives it a punch that makes it all pop!
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Sunni - I know, I need to get it finished! Gah! I haven’t made any plans for a pencil skirt, but I must find a way to make an exception. Surely! I’ll finish it and post it up soon. Thanks a bunch for the reminder!
Alessa - It’s a great outfit! I have a thing for wrap style tops, so I love yours and I love the sunny (pardon the pun) vibe of the skirt!
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Gerwerken - Of course! Jersey and Crepe should be whizzing my later later this week.
Sunni - So do I! It’s my biggest downfall when it comes to sewing. I have a closet full of clothes but none of them go together!
Sunni - Yes! I make aprons occasionally, most just to satisfy my urge to do something crafty with crazy quilting fabric that I love.
Sunni - I actually just took the tuck out of the middle of the gore. For the seam allowances at the gore section, I just serged everything. The crepe is rather loosely woven and tries to fray like a beast and the serger really finished it off nicely.
Sunni - It’s a triangular shape that when sewn together make up an a-line skirt. Basically its when you take an a-line skirt and chop it up into several sections and then add seam allowances to those sections and sew them up. Just makes for interesting design lines.
Sunni - Awesome advice for the vinegar water solution. I realize that natural fibered fabrics can pleat, however I wanted a true accordian pleated skirt and accordian pleats aren’t sewn into a garment like traditional pleats. Instead they rely on the content and or chemical treatment of the fabric to hold the pleat even after washing. It’s those retro skirts that have the elastic waistband, like this:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/93344879/vintage-pleated-skirt-burgundy-maroon
I’ve been meaning to purchase myself a vintage one, but I always hesitate on account of that polyester pleasure they are made out of! Oh what to do! Anyway, I had researched trying to find natural fibered fabric that was already pre-pleated, but now days that stuff is hard to find.
Sunni - I have seen several pieces that were unbelievably expensive myself – this wasn’t bad. Plus I got it on a 20% off sale at my local fabric store. I love it so, its just got delicious drape!
Sunni - Thank you! I do feel magical at times when I sit down to sew. Like I could conjure up a spell or something to make the machine thread itself. But I kid you not, those magical powers are reversed when I sit down at a serger. I’m buying a self threading one next time!
Sunni - I definitely would have overlooked this pattern had it not been for your version of the Vogue! Seeing the faux wrap top you made seriously made me rethink these types of tops. They are so chic and they seem to go with just about EVERYTHING!
Sunni - Oh you should definitely do the bang thang! I’m quite sure you would love them. I know I do – though this last time around, my stylist did get them rather short.
Sunni - No, you’re right. Stable knits usually have limited stretch in one direction, however knits are so mysterious. They all seem to be different from each other – even the same type of knit, like a ponte can vary so much from another ponte. If you’re looking for something specific, I highly recommend being able to touch and feel the knit before purchase. This pattern did call for a stable knit, but some of the slinkier knits would definitely work.
oonaballoona - drooling with envy. and trying to think of a way to copy you with only a straight stitch at my disposal.
Gail - I’m more of a lurker than a commenter on your site, but had to jump on board to tell you how much I love this combo. Styles and colours work incredibly well together.
Catherine Daze - I like them both but the combination rocks!
Catherine Daze recently posted..The red kimono
Stacy - Oooh, I’ve been thinking about making a wrap-style top. Seeing this post has convinced me for sure! Yours looks really great.
Stacy recently posted..Bragging
sallie - Its a gorgeous outfit!! You look amazing! The skirt is fantastic, what fun! And that top does look like the sort of thing you could wear everyday – plus its so freaking flattering! I also love your hair and baby bangs. I’m very jealous of your look… Probably gonna cop it – just so you know…
sallie recently posted..lets make this official
Sophia - Absolutely wonderful outfit! I’m seriously drooling over that mustard skirt with the pin tucks. They really give the skirt an extra bit of “oomph” to make it stand out! Good job
Sophia recently posted..Sewing Boredom
Ginger - Wow, this outfit is gorgeous! LOVE the skirt!
Ginger recently posted..Overload
theperfectnose - Yellow and grey are my favourite combination. Kudos on an awesome outfit!
Lavender - Love this outfit! Grey and yellow are so fab together. I’m inspired to tuck and tuck away!
Lavender recently posted..Dirty Chartreuse Chanteuse
Emily - Love love this outfit! Thank you for listing the fabrics and patterns (or similar patterns). I hope one day I’ll sew as well as you.
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Ololi - Love the overall outfit and all the pieces seperately. The colors so match up with each other!
Ololi recently posted..COLETTE {MERINGUE SKIRT}