Macaroon Medley

Needing a quick and easy project to tackle, I decided to take a stab at the Vintage-Inspired Modern Style Design Challenge currently running over at Burda Style. 

With only a week left, the quickest option was the downloadable patterns.  Of the four choices, I love the blouse and skirt, and, in the end, decided on the skirt.

During a trip to JoAnn Fabrics to pick up the newest Simplicity patterns, I decided to wander the fabric aisles to see if I could find something fun.

I cannot believe I found this at JoAnn Fabrics!  I generally run past the polyester horror that is the fabric section to pick up my zippers/thread/sale patterns.  There was an adorable dark blue sheer with glitter bows  but unfortunately it was 100% polyester so I ran away as fast as I could, which took me to the linen section.  And there was my beautiful pink rayon/linen blend.

It is a little hard to tell from the photos, but this fabric is embroidered with little bows.  Someday, my age is going to prevent me from wearing cutesy clothing, so I am determined to get in as much kitsch as I can, while I can.  Oh, who am I kidding - I will probably turn in to one of those crazy old ladies with bows in my hair!

I knew I wanted contrasting pockets, so I picked up a small amount of green and white seersucker.  After digging around my quilting cotton stash, I found a nice yellow for my pockets.  

The colors remind me of these beautiful colored macaroons.

Or some beautiful Spring flowers!

It may be silly, but I avoid projects that do not come with pattern tissue.  This skirt is not difficult (as designed, it is a bunch of rectangles, and the instructions fit on a single page), but a lack of pattern pieces stops me in my tracks. 

One-Seam Skirt

For my chosen “One-Seam Skirt” the pattern suggests 60” wide fabric, however, my fabric was only 50” wide, and the embroidery only covered 42”.  

I wanted an easy fitting skirt, so I cut two lengths, cut one of them in half for a center back seam and zipper opening, and then began to pleat the waistline down to size.  

Once the pleats were in place, I also ran a gathering stitch along the waist edge to further pull the waist in.

To stabilize my zipper, I invisibly-stitched a strip of silk organza along the opening edges.  It really does make a difference!  I used a lapped insertion, and hand sewed the zipper onto the skirt.

Instead of a straight waistband, I used a shaped design.  It turned out a bit large, but it is an easy to wear skirt, so I will leave it as is.

And, of course, my raw edges are bound with rayon seam binding for the perfect vintage finish!

The most fun part was making the pockets.  

I had quite a few ideas, and really do like the square pocket look on the original sketch, but with my fabric choice, I though a rounded pocket was more appropriate – especially because I wanted to add buttons and bows to match back to the pink fabric. 

This really was a fun project, and has made me realize I should not fear the pattern-less sewing project!

Blouse:  Odille “Picture Frame Blouse” from Anthropologie

Skirt:  Made by me, Indygo Junction downloadable “One Seam Skirt”

Brooch:  Monet from Macys

Shoes:  Alfani “Daphna” in Pale Yellow

Fishnets:  Simply Vera from Kohls