I’m doubling up on this post – I hope y’all don’t mind. Just didn’t think either of these pieces deserved a whole post of their own 🙂 This is pretty basic cake stuff we’re working with here.
Also, this is a result of me waking up on Sunday morning and going “OMG I’M GOING TO NY NEXT WEEK AND I HAVE NOTHING TO WEEEEEAR!!”
(not literally – I mean, have you seen my closet?)
Anyway, I’d just picked up the Kelly skirt pattern and I was dying to try it out. I found this giant yardage of navy corduroy in my stash – I’m trying to stash-bust as much as I can before I overfill my sewing room with more fabric next week heh heh – I think I got it at a yard sale a few years ago?
It works great for this pattern although it is very STIFF… you can’t see too much from these pictures, but the skirt just balloons away from my body and stays that way. Now, I like me a stiff skirt as much as any girl, but this is almost comical. Next time, I will opt for a slightly softer fabric. I may try to wash this skirt a few times in the meantime and see if I can beat down the stiffness a little as well.
This pattern was soo easy to whip together. There are just 5 pieces, a little bit of topstitching, and a smattering of buttonholes. I had the whole thing made from start to finish in less than 3 hours. Now that’s what I call fast fashion, derp.
The only change I made was to not interface the waistband – like I said, my corduroy is very stiff. Also, I am lazy. I think it holds up fine, though.
I made a size XS and it’s a tiiiiny bit big at the waist, but nothing that I can’t cinch in with a belt.
I can see this pattern working beautifully with a wide range of fabrics, from a lightweight chambray to a nice cotton twill. Ooh!
I also made my top over the weekend, same Sunday, even! Before you get too excited – it’s a knit top, which takes me like an hour to put together. Srsly, I looove sewing knits. The pattern is Jalie 2921, and the fabric is this Coral rayon jersey from Mood. More Nard-Dog colors, sorry y’all.
I only made a couple of changes to the pattern – had to shorten the sleeves because there were REALLY long, and I also shortened the ties because they overwhelmed the shirt. There was no scientific method to shortening the ties – I just put the shirt on and hacked away. Instead of leaving a hole in the center front seam to pull the ties though, I sewed it up all the way and just looped the ties over each other. The fabric is too heavy to make a proper bow. I feel like this look is kind of jaunty, with the ascot and preppy colors.
I did experiment with my hems on this top – I found a bunch of wooly nylon in my stash that I’d forgotten about (oops) and I wound some of that in the bobbin and then did my usual twin needle topstitching. I LOVE the result; the stitches are very uniform and there are no ridges or rippling. Worked like a charm!
Since the cord was so thick, I used this fun quilting cotton to face the pockets 🙂 Isn’t it sweet? Kiddie cowboys!
As a side note – if you didn’t see the first post announcement – I’ll be in New York this week and planning a meet-up for Saturday! If you’re in the area and want to join for some fabric shopping, send me an email and I’ll pass on the details 🙂
I love that you made an entire outfit over the weekend like nbd! And I really really like that top! Might have to buy it for myself…
Have fun in New York!! xo
Adore that coral knit! Might order some of that myself — or buy it in the store on Saturday! Eep! So excited. 😀
(And also having the omg-going-to-NYC-nothing-to-wear moment. lol)
Yes!!! I can’t wait to go crazy in that knit section ahaha!
Chic Fabrics has a forest of knit fabric bolts when you first go in that are usually 3-4$ yard and they usually have a good mix of 100% cottons, rayons, etc. not just polyester.
Such a cute outfit – you’re so clever! Love the top – that color is fab! Well done. Enjoy your trip 🙂
what a lovely skirt and top. The kelly skirt has been on my wishlist forever! I really should but it someday 🙂
It’s always a treat to see what you used for lining fabric!
Adorable skirt and top. Do you use a serger for your knits?
Yes, I have a Babylock Imagine that I use for all my seaming – although I hem with my regular sewing machine 🙂
I really must get the kelly skirt! It’s such a cute pattern and wardrobe staple. I don’t think the fabric looks too stiff. Seems to be fine in the photos. Although I had always imagined making it in a stiffer fabric myself so maybe it’s just personal preference 😉
I have been avoiding buying the Kelly skirt pattern, but every single time I see it I yearn for it, and your uber structured version calls me to it. Surely I could draft my own?!
And your top, do you know how much I want one like this? Ultimate in knit tops with that beautiful tie neck. Please help me be strong, I must not buy any more patterns, but it is so hard when you keep tempting me with such gorgeous outfits….such wonderful colours, such, well, cuteness….
I love the Kelly skirt and I love your version. I like the structured look of it, as I think it suits the skirt really well!
The top too is lovely. Not familiar with this, but I love the tie neck and the coral colour is one of my faves.
Great outfit!
Oh, love this outfit. Good colour combo and I really like both of those patterns!
The top is cute – love the color. I made that top before. Need to dig that pattern out again.
seriously love that knit top…and the secret cowboy pocket lining in the skirt. tOO cute! You use your regular machine for hemming? Is that with a twin needle?
Yep! I use a twin needle and a walking foot – also adjust the tension/stitch length a little, but the end result is a nice stitch (and much more cost-effective than a coverstitch machine ha!)
Loving the coral and navy again! I was debating between Colette’s Beignet and the Kelly, but I think I like the look of the Kelly better. I LOVE the cute pocket facing, too! Nicely done, as per usual 🙂
I would love to see your process so I can figure out how the hell you sew stuff so fast and yet make it look so good! I just can’t do it! Waaaahhhhh
I am also trying really really hard to resist ordering the Kelly skirt. To be honest, it’s the reason I just broke down and made a Beignet. But I still want a Kelly! It seriously looks good every time I see it on anyone.
Cute outfit! Love the colors. Can’t wait to hear about your trip!
Adorable as usual! Have a great time in New York! I can’t wait to see all the fun fabric that you bring back 🙂
Very cute skirt and love the top. I like the ties shorter, not so overwhelming. Have fun in NYC, leave some fabric at Mood!
Omg i just made the Kelly in blue corduroy with the really similar buttons! I love it!
Love both of them! The color combo is co cute! I was thinking of making something similar to the Kelly skirt myself in corduroys.
Also, I just have one tiny thing to say- It would be great if you whole body picture were close, I’m always bummed out the pictures are so zoomed out (I love that you added the two little chair in the picture, but I wish I saw you outfit more in detail even more!). Thanks!!
You know, I was just noticing that when I was editing these pictures. They’re reeeeally far away. Thanks for pointing that out, I wasn’t sure if it even made a difference to anyone but me. I’ll try to take closer pictures next time 🙂
Love this outfit, simple but effective 🙂 Makes me want the Kelly pattern even more. And sheesh girl you sew fast…
You’ve got it going on LLadybird! I love both pieces and love them together! Have a great trip. 🙂
Ha! I just made the exact same skirt in black linen. Yours looks great!
I’m sure you have plenty to wear in New York, although you’ll probably be wearing a coat the whole time. Love the skirt and top, especially the combo of colors.
Have fun in the big city girl.
love this outfit. i must get the kelly pattern – i’ve seen so many cute versions! and there’s no way you don’t have anything to wear in NY!
adorable outfit! very classic, and yes, jaunty! I would try throwing the skirt in with some fabric softener.
Totally cute outfit lady! Plus may I say your hair is looking amaze xxx
I’ve had my outfit planned since January, although I’m just finishing it now. I just hope it isn’t too cold 😦
Ugh, me too! I had all these cute outfits planned and then I realized that March isn’t exactly summer and I need to wear socks. Oh well, maybe we can take pictures of what we had planned and then show each other and it can kind of be the same? Ha!
I’ve been eyeing that skirt pattern for a while, and I really love that Jalie top. Must add to my collection.
P.S.-you said “beat down the stiffness” on the skirt. LOLZ.
Yessss I was waiting for someone to catch that!
That coral colour looks amazing on you. The whole outfit is great, fantastic colour combo and nice silhouette. And made in a weekend. Seriously, WTF? How do you DO that!
Beautiful outfit!! I have two Kelly skirts, and i see that I really need the pattern for the top. Super flattering on you!!