Happy New Year!
Would you like to see what I have been sewing over the Christmas break?
I’m kicking off the New Year with this cute skirt which is the dream combination of Simplicity 8211 using fabric from the new range of vintage Simplicity pattern illustrations by Craft Cotton Co. Gifted/Ad*
‘All Dressed Up’ is a 5 piece organic cotton collection featuring some stunning examples of the artwork featured in vintage Simplicity patterns. After pre-washing the cotton before cutting out, I noticed how soft it felt. It’s a lovely fabric to wear next to your skin.
The fabric that I chose to use is ‘Simply Spots’. This shows a collection of elegant ladies on a dotty background with the wording ‘Simplicity Vintage’. The fabric base is white and the small dots are teal, with teal and cream featured in the ladies dresses. To give you an idea of scale, in the fabric image below the lady in the dark dress in the centre of the picture stands approx 7.5cm tall.
These fabrics are available to purchase from most branches of Hobbycraft, and from many independent fabric stores in the UK. To find a list of stockists you can click here.
Choosing which pattern to use with this fabric was tricky. I’m quite a bad decision maker at the best of times, and it took some time. After swooning over several dress, top and skirt patterns, I kept coming back to this simple gathered skirt which you can make in 3 lengths. I felt that it’s simple design would pair beautifully with the fabric and also be a very wearable separate for me both in colder weather with tights and boots and in the Summer with pumps or sandals.
Although I adore garment sewing, of course there are alternatives! I thought you might like to see some accessory patterns that I nearly chose to make too… how about sewing room accessory patterns S9404 and 8822? Or maybe fabric baskets or bags like patterns 8107 and S9308? Last but not least how cute would they be as a face covering such as mask pattern S9188!
Looking at the body measurements on the skirt pattern, it’s only really necessary to check the waist size for this style of gathered skirt. My waist is 29″ atm, and this put me inbetween a size 14 and size 16 on the measurement chart. I chose to make the size 14, but it still did come up a little large on my waist, you might want to bear this in mind. I think a size 12 would have fitted me better.
It’s a super pattern to sew and what I enjoyed the most was learning a new skill. Whilst this looks like a simple gathered skirt, the new challenge that I faced was sewing in an invisible side zip right next to the in-seam side pocket. Normally a skirt with in-seam pockets like this will have a centre back zip I think, so to find out how to sew in the pocket directly next to the side zip was really interesting. The instructions were great and I had no problems with them – just read them really carefully without rushing through them and you’ll be fine – the only thing that I changed (because I am lazy) is that the waistband flap that sits over the top of the zip would normally use a hook and bar eye to keep it in place, as you can see I used a Kam snap instead because I think it looks cute and hook closures can be really fiddly to sew in.
I cut out the skirt at the longest length measurement as I wasn’t really sure what length I wanted until I had made it and tried it on. Usually I go for a knee length on a gathered skirt but when I tried it on at it’s longest length of 25″ and added my shoes, I knew I wanted to keep it at this fullest length. I’m 5’2″ btw so don’t forget if you are any taller or shorter this length will look different on you.
Check out how deep those all important pockets are. Love them.
I hope you like this combo as much as I do, it’s a fun skirt to brighten up a dull January day.
If this vintage/retro style is right up your street you might like to also take a peek at the range of vintage Simplicity gifts here and check out the large range of gifts and accessories that also feature these glamorous pattern illustrations!
I hope that you have all enjoyed a peaceful festive break and would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy 2022.
Take care, and I’ll be back soon,
Kathy x @sew_dainty
*Gifted/Ad – This blog post contains details of a paid for ad from The Craft Cotton Co (Visage Textiles) in exchange for a blog/social media posts. The words and thoughts in this blog post are all my own. The pattern was gifted to me by Simplicity.
Divine – how pretty is your whole look! That fabric looks fantastic and with your pretty sweater… you look amazing. I’m off to find that fabric as of now
What a lovely comment Juliet, thank you! x