I started this little ensemble several weeks ago. The impetus was the purchase of this amazing merino wool in my favorite color: bright reddish-pink. The pattern is V8640, which was sort of an experimental look for me: I love this kind of high-waisted skirt, but the jacket is boxier than I usually go for. But the illustrations were so cute!
I went with a brooch instead of a knot on the ties. Just experimenting! Still, I don't know if this whole look is for me. The two pieces felt a bit too conservative together or something.
So that's when the jacket came off.
And the brooch went on my top.
My friend and first-class photographer Fleur suggested I throw the jacket jauntily over my shoulder. Done and done!
I love the skirt.
It's faced, and I used boning in the facing to keep the skirt from buckling around the waist. I just extended the facing an inch in length (I don't like boning to end right at my waist because I've found it can leave a crease in the skirt fabric). I also put the boning casings on the inside of the facing (instead of on the side of the facing that touches the skirt), to reduce the chance of the spiral steel bones showing through to the right side of the skirt. I kind of like how the black casings look on the facing, but you could also use pretty ribbon or something.
The jacket and skirt are both lined in Radiance cotton/silk sateen, which I scored on eBay. I wasn't sure if it would be a good choice for lining, but it turns out I love it. It's substantial, easy to work with, and slippery against the skin, tights, and blouses.
I finished the lining hem off with some lace.
I will probably wear the jacket again, just not with the skirt. Could be cute with little denim pedal pushers or something, no?
The good news is that I loved the merino wool so much I bought five yards of it. A matching dress is in the making!
i like the suit together the best! it looks awesome and, strangely enough, fashion-forward. however, how you feel IN it is the most important thing.
ReplyDeleteYou feature boning, which made me think of your Craftsy Sew-retro sew-along, which leads me to BEG you to say when your next class will go up! PLEASE! (oh and i love the suit, totes not conservative, or at least, not on you!)
ReplyDeleteGee, I like the jacket with the skirt. Perhaps it seems conservative, but there's nothing that says "Let's get down to business" like a girl in a smart suit. You look stunning in it.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh too cute! I really love the jacket, and I think it would be lovely with jeans or a contrasting skirt, but it's really hip with that red skirt, I promise you! Such a nice color, Gertie, and that brooch is off the chain. Not really sure what off the chain means, but your brooch is it!
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I love this!! I'm just starting to make clothes, and I love how you include changes and what fabrics you use in your posts. I never know what all the apparel fabrics are.
ReplyDeleteI love the suit together, the cape shape of the jacket makes your waist look tiny. It you want to look less conservative, leave the jacket open and wear something insane like a leopard print top underneath!
ReplyDeleteIts a little bit of gorgeousness and I am so jealous x
I think the suit looks great on you--even better than the pattern illustation--very sassy! I think the jacket would also be cute with some skinny pants or capris. Nice job, Gertie!
ReplyDeleteI love the suit together and yours looks so much better than the one they have on their site LOL.
ReplyDeleteyou're right, i love both pieces, but maybe not always together. that jacket with some capri-length trousers would be wonderful, especially in a denim!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the jacket and the skirt together with the brooch on the tie - I think you look marvelous in it. Perhaps it's a look you are not used to for yourself but it looks great.
ReplyDeleteThis suit is so fresh-looking and lovely! I'm quite taken with the color of that merino fabric. This question may seem obvious, but do you know the best way to clean such wool? Is it possible to avoid dry cleaning?
ReplyDeleteThanks! - you always provide great info and inspiration. :)
Very sweet! And ht color suits you so well!!
ReplyDeleteNow you need a corset!
ReplyDeleteLove the suit, and agree with others that your version is better than the pattern drawing. It's perfect for when you need to be a businesswoman, and I agree that the jacket will really put the snazziness on pair of capris.
ReplyDeleteYour suit is beautiful! The edge comes with the black tights, so please wear it again as a suit. You look great!
ReplyDeleteThe set is conservative when worn together, but I think the bold ties add a show-stopping kind of flair! It might be nice if you ever have to look more business-y than you do now, or have an event where you need to cover your tattoos.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! You are inspiring me to look through my collection of vintage patterns (about 100) and actually SEW one of them :-)
ReplyDeleteLOVE the skirt. Love the whole thing together, too, but definitely love the skirt!
ReplyDeleteI like the suit on you, and the brooch is a great touch! You could always make another skirt in a black and white herribone that would look great with the red jacket!
ReplyDeleteIf this is conservative, then I'm totally in =) It looks great both ways - although I do understand how you might waver on using it as a suit, since bolero-length jackets have always made me think twice... love, love, LOVE that high waist on the skirt <3 Beautiful job!
ReplyDeleteI've made both of these (the skirt 3 times now!) and I love it. Your version looks particularly lovely.
ReplyDeletei love the skirt by itself! beautiful. jacket is gorgeous too but i'm just not a fan of the short jacket (personal fears coming out in that statement). beautiful construction--what an inspiration to a newbie!
ReplyDeleteWOW! I Love it - perhaps it's conservative to you but it'd be perfect for me (I teach environmental law) - wonderful work and Congratulations! I used Radiance too I buy from Mood and I do think it's a wonderful substantial lining.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love it! Fantastic and Congrats, again!
P.S. I cycle alot and am too obsessed in general with Merino wool for jerseys. . .
The whole look is totally you! I'm hoping to learn how you cased the seams etc. I think the complimentary dress might be nice if you could wear the jacket with it? No?
ReplyDeleteI love the design, and the skirt suits you. But, to be honest, I think the jacket would look better if you piled your hair up on top, so you can see how the picture-frame neckline stands away from your neck and frames your head.
ReplyDeleteBoning in skirt waists... I would have NEVER thought of that! Is it pokey?
ReplyDeleteI think the way you style it is what makes it conservative or not. I like the tights, since the opaqueness gives it a little edge. Hard to tell in the pic what kind of shoes you have on, but it's my experience that the choice of shoes can change the look without changing anything else. I like both pieces together (and separately) so I say experiment with the accessories.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently sewing a skirt in a similar red wool and I'm loving the idea of black with it.
I love the color. However skirt and jacket together it looks like you're going for a job interview. :)
ReplyDeleteWow you look great! I'd love for you to make a tutorial on how to sew in boning
ReplyDeleteTotally adorable Gertie - you did a beautiful job! And I like how you went out of your comfort zone a bit - nice work.
ReplyDeleteMaris
http://sewmaris.com
I am so excited to see this suit as a finished project. it is on my list too make, and now I know I'll like it!
ReplyDeleteI think it looks amazing on! I love the cut of the jacket, esp with the high waisted skirt! This might be my favorite of your projects so far!!
ReplyDeletei like the suit together the best!
ReplyDelete- upea värisuora !
This rocks!!! you look stunning!
ReplyDeleteI love the outfit together but I agree it looks more natural with the jacket off - the jacket is so darn cute though, perhaps you could pair it with a pair of black capris and high heels :)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of adding boning to your skirt facing; too many times I've been caught adjusting folding facings and it would be nice to have it sit flat on its own - thanks for the tip!! :)
It definitely works as a separate- a bit too matchy matchy otherwise. Love the idea of boning the skirt to prevent crinkle waist. So going to give this a bash!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the jacket on you! That's a horrid look for those of us who are more inverted triangles, but looks amahzing on you! But I also like the skirt with just the top as well.
ReplyDeleteI was just reading a book from the library on couture techniques and they mentioned adding boning to skirts like this. Hmmmm...... seems like this is a technique I'm just going to have to try :)
ReplyDeleteThe outfit looks great on you, but I do love the idea of using them as separates rather than together.
Have fun with them!
Love both pieces, if you feel conservative play around with shoes and accessories, a higher heel or a patterned stocking might give it more edge. Nice work! Can't wait to see the matching dress.
ReplyDeletewow!!! Stunning!
ReplyDeletemay not be your style, but I have to say that I love the combo the way you did it - the brooch, the black accents/accessories. Love it! Kind of a perfect dinner in the city and theatre outfit.
ReplyDeleteva va voom! LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteI didn't see conservative so much as " sexy, very feminine". That nice curve in the jacket is anything but boxy. And that awesome color begs to differ with any kind of boring old business day.
ReplyDeleteVersatility is a good thing!
You look amazing in that color and I know it must feel just amazing to be wearing it!
Love Your Work!
Lovely and the brooch is genius. I agree that the skirt, especially, is stunning. Great job.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Although I agree with you about breaking the pieces up. Too often I find myself doing the same with skirts and matching jackets: otherwise it just feels more conservative than I tend to be style-wise. ;) Still, they're both beautiful pieces and fit you perfectly--I'm sure they'll get loads of use!
ReplyDeleteOh Gertie, this is beautiful! You look amazing in it. I do not see conservative at all! I think violet said sexy and feminine, I agree. Yet still business. I prefer the two together, you wear it well. I cannot wear that style.
ReplyDeleteLOVE! I love the suit together. It really works... I think the red is great. But I also think the jacket over some jeans or skinny pants would look great too.
ReplyDeletewhow so nicely done!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I just can't understand how nobody's mentioned this yet...
ReplyDeleteDang Gertie, that's a nice rear view!!
Oh, and the suit looks great too! Separate, together - both looks will work depending on wherever you happen to be going.
Gorgeous both ways!
ReplyDeleteI just have to say that you look STUNNING in this suit, and even though it may not be an everyday type of outfit I hope you'll consider bringing it out sometime for some high impact! ;)
ReplyDeleteWow, Gertie! Really, based on the drawing, I'd never have made it—but it looks fantastic on you! Very well done and very chic!
ReplyDeleteCheck out look number 34: http://nowfashion.com/13-02-2012-carolina-herrera-ready-to-wear-fall-winter-2012-new-york-show-1367.html
ReplyDeleteCarolina Herrera showed an outfit very similar to yours: boxy, cropped top over a slim, below-the-knee skirt...even the color is almost the same! Way to be on (ahead of?) trend :)
Really lovely outfit, you are so talented! I love how you've incorporated lace into the hem. The jacket is gorgeous and I think it looks so great with the brooch! Enjoy wearing it! XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful! Which leads me to ask just how big your closet is? I'd think you'd need a whole extra apartment by now...
ReplyDeleteSo jealous! And inspired!
Les chiffres sont totalement incoherents (pris total : 644 millions de milliards, matiere premiere : 852 millions de millards…) !
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