I’ve finally something made for Daughter No1! You might recognise the black jersey cowl tee from my last post – it fits perfectly without needing any adjustments at all – Phew! She loves the fit, the drape & the jersey. Needless to say, I’ve now got orders for “more please Mum”. Yeah, it’ll have to join the queue. I really like the way the top fits her so I guess I need to make more, not only for her, but for Daughter No2 too.
She’d like some in plain colours, printed jerseys, etc. Please don’t show her Sew Busy Lizzy’s dress versions….
On to the skirt…
The inspiration for the skirt came from a pin on Pinterest, which came from this style blog. I had some black lace in the stash which I’d swapped Kat from Modern Vintage Cupcakes for last year but never got round to using it up. I knew I’d be using it for Daughter No1, but we didn’t quite know what it wanted to be. Until this summer.
Using her straight skirt block, I altered it to create a box pleat in the centre and added two more pleats to the sides. I did this on the back too and put the zip in the side seam. The waistband is a straight piece with a slight underlap from the back to attach a hook & bar. The skirt measures 70cm from her waist & initially she thought this would be too long, but the toile reassured her that for this sort of skirt it would work.
I cut the lace with the selvedge as the finished edge. Turning up a hem wouldn’t have worked and binding the edge would have made it stiff & ungainly. Luckily for me there was enough lace to do this! I have enough left of the lace to make sleeves for something – thinking a black viscose jersey plantain with lace sleeves. For Daughter No1 – of course 🙂 It’ll look good with black skinny jeans or leggings.
The underskirt was also developed from the skirt block, 50cm long from the waist, all I did was add 5cm to each side seam at the hem, tapering back up to the hip point. The darts were left in, she didn’t want the poly-satin of the underskirt to be pleated & add bulk to the lace. We were after a sleeker look. I ran the skirt up on the overlocker, so it was pretty quick, only needing the sewing machine for darts & the hem. The overlocker was put into service for the lace skirt too, it wasn’t a particularly matchy lace so I wasn’t concerned to line things up and match the patterns. French seams would have made the side seams stiff and the whole idea was to have something floaty & feminine.
There’s an invisible zip in the side seam and black hook & bar attached to the waistband. The texture contrast is great & I love how the light catches on the satin underskirt through the lace to add another dimension. We’re both really happy with it & the whole outfit is having its first outing to a dinner with the boyfriend & his parents tomorrow night, so I guess I did good! 🙂
So I’m patting myself on the back for the positive end of the draped tee saga, but I’m not doing that well on picking the winner of the BHL pattern giveaway.. I know, you’re all watching your email boxes to see if you’re the winner – man your creative reasons were good! Too good!! I feel really bad that I only have one of each pattern to send out. Every time I think I’ve picked to best of each, I have a re-think. But I will pick one, I promise!
THE COMPULSIVE SEAMSTRESS 
That outfit is gorgeous! Good for your daughter that you guys live far enough from me that I can’t easily steal it out of her closet. (;
I just made a second Day-to-Night Drape Top for myself a few days ago, in teal viscose jersey left over from my first attempt at leggings. I love the pattern, it’s so easy and flattering!
Thank you Jana, 🙂 I’ve gone ahead & cut more of these tops for her!
Wow, this is just awesome. Your daughter looks amazing in this. There will have been one happy boyfriend!
Thanks Chris! I don’t get to make too many things for her any more as she’s away from home so much. I hope she gets enough wear out of it before the weather gets too cold.
Simply beautiful! The length of the skirt is lovely without looking at all dowdy. I’ve had success with the Kirsten kimono…must try this pattern!
Thank you! I have the Kirsten, but not tried it yet. Too many patterns, not enough time! 🙂 The skirt length was the one thing I thought we’d have an problem with, but she has accepted that it needs to be there and thankfully likes it too!
What a lovely outfit, subtle and sophisticated.
Thanks Barbara!
Gorgeous outfit! I’m loving all the different textures through it. 🙂
Thank you, and thanks for the lace, I’m glad I got to put it to good use in the end!! 🙂
Oh, this is so amazingly beautiful. Fabulous job, I can see why your daughter wants more.
Oops should not have shown me this… I think I need one!
lol! I think the lace being more see through helps to minimise the impact of the length on height-impared people! 🙂 If you found a lace with scalloped edge it would look a million dollars!
Gorgeous – she looks very glamorous.
thanks! 🙂
This is gorgeous! So classy. She could have stepped right out of an American in Paris!
Thank you, I’ll pass that on! 🙂
You and your daughters have impeccable taste. Every time I’m impressed by your outfits 🙂
Thank you very much! 🙂
Your daughter looks lovely in her new outfit! I have some lovely black lace that would make up beautifully into something like this. You have inspired me!
Excellent!! 🙂
Stunning use of lace.