Basic Leftovers

It may not be all that exciting, but this basic black skirt has had more wear this past Summer than just about any other garment in my closet.  Who knew a tea length black skirt was what my closet was missing?!  I certainly didn't.

And while I will still be searching for the perfect top (does the pattern even exist at this point?), I am definitely a big fan of this particular blouse.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I made this one out of rayon?  

I certainly love my cotton blouses, but the rayon fabric drapes so nicely, I may have to make a few long-sleeved tops with the fiber.  And would I like this design as much if it had been made out of cotton?

I will definitely have to remember this pattern, though, once the weather warms up again.  And perhaps test out my cotton versus rayon theory . . .

The design isn't all that appropriate for scraps, even though it uses very little yardage, because the entire blouse front is cut in one, with two backs, and two sleeves.  The collar doesn't use that much, to be sure.  But I do love those patterns that contain lots of little pieces since they make great use of leftover yardage scraps.

I am going to have to try the long sleeved version at some point, that's for sure.

I wait all year to bust out the wool fabrics in my stash, and then once the days get ridiculously short and the temperature dips, all I can think about is Spring sewing.

But I am determined to make myself a wool coat this year before it's too late to wear it.

So for now, I need to focus on Winter appropriate items . . . as far as Northern California temps allow!  But I expect this pattern to make a reappearance sometime soon.  And as for the skirt, I've made Simplicity 8458 quite a few times already, and I may just have to make another solid colored one to add to the collection.

Blouse:  Made by me, Simplicity 8736
Skirt:  Made by me, Simplicity 8458
Shoes:  Naturalizer "Phebe"