Monday, January 5, 2015

The Pineapple Linen Skirt and The Black Embroidered Cotton Top

I have been mad for pineapples for quite some time, and it started long before the sewing blogosphere went all cray cray for the spiky tropical fruit of my homeland. I bought some gorgeous pineapple voile in Kyoto, but when I came home I couldn't resist the pineapple linen from Darn Cheap Fabrics that had every sewist's heart.

So I bought myself 2 metres for a Christmas present to myself. And maybe also some pineapple cotton jersey.  Shhhh. No I don't have a problem.

But what to make with 2 metres of pineapple fabric? The pressure was certainly on to make something magnificent. Emma had made a midi skirt which looked fantastic.  Kirsty had made culottes.  Amanda had made shorts.  I briefly entertained the idea of making Prefontaine Shorts, or grading up the Kelly Skirt. However the day that I threw out three skirts from my wardrobe because they were badly worn I realised I was seriously short in the casual skirt department. I plucked out the first skirt pattern I could find in the pattern stash pile on the spare bed and made up the a-line skirt from McCalls 2873.

Simplicity 2929 blouse variation and McCalls 2873 skirt

This was quite honestly the best photo taken this morning. I probably should switch up my coffee to caffeinated on blog-photo-taking days.

Simplicity 2929 blouse variation and McCalls 2873 skirt

Anyway, the skirt fitting was a total PITA. I'd forgotten how much of a PITA it was. Granted, the shape is the best a-line shape of any of my skirt patterns, but the old swayback and waist-hip ratio issues raised their ugly heads and I ended up in a sad place that involved an unpicker, a third dart in the back, and a really ugly side seam.

Simplicity 2929 blouse variation and McCalls 2873 skirt

("Take a picture of all 6 darts!" I said. "Nope, can't see them," he said. "I shall just take a photo of your bum instead.")

In the end though I ended up with a very serviceable skirt with pineapples on it, and a sudden desire to make a summery black blouse to wear with it.

Simplicity 2929 blouse variation and McCalls 2873 skirt

Hellooooooo Simplicity 2929, my old friend!  (I just couldn't help myself.)

Simplicity 2929 blouse variation and McCalls 2873 skirt

This is the bodice of the dress lengthened by 4 inches into an a-line shape. I also pleated the neckline instead of gathering it, solely for the reason that I was using a thicker embroidered cotton than the voiles I usually use, and gathering would have been too much bulk at the neck. The fabric is a black embroidered cotton I purchased from Spotlight over three years ago.

Simplicity 2929 blouse variation and McCalls 2873 skirt

I can't believe I wore this to work today and never noticed that stray thread.

Simplicity 2929 blouse variation and McCalls 2873 skirt

The hem is very wonky, but that's my fault for daring to vary a dress bodice pattern into a blouse by just using a tape measure and a french curve ruler. And yeah, it does look tight across the bust, but it's not. If I was going to make this in a thicker cotton again, I'd probably think about a FBA to avoid that line ... and then probably use a different pattern because I really couldn't be arsed doing a FBA.

I love this blouse. I love that I got to use another button from my vintage button collection.

Simplicity 2929 blouse variation and McCalls 2873 skirt

All up, I think I got a great outfit. I am known for loving a big colourful print a little bit too much, but I totally love the pineapples. I might love it the best of all my skirts. I also love that I have enough fabric left over to do pockets for the Prefontaine Shorts should I ever make them.

Coming soon: More Pineapples.  Many many more.

19 comments:

  1. I'm breaking out the pom poms for you. Yay. What a cool look. Even your shoes have a pineapple thang going on!!

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    1. Thanks Maria! All the pineapples! All the time!

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  2. I just love seeing what you are sewing for work! You look Ab Fab as always!

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  3. Arghh! Every single time I comment it seems to delete or not publish..will this work?

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  4. Ooh, I think it did! I'll check back in later to see what happened to my first comment (very complimentary by the way!)

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    1. And this one! Thanks for your invisible compliments (I know what you would have said because you're LOVELY!!)

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  5. I love everything about this outfit!! Pineapples!! And the detail of the fabric and the vintage button on your top is gorgeous!

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  6. I love that pineapple print! :) You look fabulous. :)

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    1. Thanks so much Andie! The print is fabulous, and the fabric is so nice to wear too!

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  7. You are so hawt right now. Just like pineapples! We need to have a pineapple get-together with with crew down here!

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    1. I am compiling pineapple cocktail recipes as I type.

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  8. You are one super stylish lady!! This outfit is awesome, I love pineapples, and that black top looks so good.

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    1. They are such a great fruit! Love to eat and see them!

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  9. This is one GREAT outfit, PITA fitting aside, you nailed it.

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    1. Yeah, I figure fitting properly is always worth it! Thanks Kirsty!

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  10. love it. Got to love a fun print skirt...makes me happy - you look great

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