Polka Dot Tiered Skirt and Marc Jacobs - Inspired Tees

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and the congratulations on our baby boy!

I apologize for the non-existing maintenance of the blog, but babies do that. Luckily, he is a delightful baby and fills my heart with so much joy.

Back when I was pregnant, I made a fall capsule for DD, and will try to post the outfits as she is wearing them.

I wil start today with a skirt and two tees.

The skirt is a design inspired by J Crew's Crewcuts summer collection. The original skirt was made of silk and the tiers laid more flat. Our version is made from lightweight corduroy and poofs up, which I love:

The tees (the one worn with the skirt and the one below worn with the jeans) were inspired by the Marc by Marc Jacobs tee below. I liked the peeking twisted contrast at the hem and at the sleeves. My version is with quarter sleeves and is more fitted.

Here are two close-ups:Details on construction:

Skirt: It has a base layer ( a rectangle) onto which the gathered and hemmed tiers are attached. The waist is elasticised, with the elastic laying on the inside of the skirt. I also lined the skirt.

Tee: It actually consists of 2 tees, the inside layer being cut longer at teh hem and sleeves. The two layers are constructed separately, and then attached at the hem and sleeve hems. when attaching the side seams of the inside layer are moved clockwise for a twisted effect. Lastly, the neckband is attched to both layers simultaneously.

Fall-Winter Sewing Update

So, the Marni-inspired coat is ready, I only have to install the sew-on snaps.

Also, there are some changes that I've made to my sewing plan:

1.I tried on a high-wasied skirt by Rebecca Taylor.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2991910?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=keywordsearch&keyword=rebecca+taylor+in+All+Categories&origin=searchresults Fitted me like a glove and I fell in love with it. Unfortunately, it had linen in it and that was the part I was not so fond of. Also, I thought that I could make something of comparable quality for 1/5th of the price. So, I will be making Vogue 8425, view A. (the blue skirt).

2. I have been wanting to try a slouchy pant for about 2 years. Also, for about the same amount of time I have been fancying plaid. So, I decided to blend my two fancies into a plaid wide leg slouchy pant and I have a great fabric for it! I'd be using the Vogue pattern below and perhaps would incorporate the backpocket treatment of the DVF pants to the right.

3. Lastly, but not leastly, I need a piece of advice. I have been contemplating on making high-waisted trousers. I am not sure if they will work on me and it has also been hard to find an inspiration piece. These are the two I’ve come upon:

The first is by Nanette Lepore and the second by Burberry. Do you think it is worth trying? Which do you think would work best, or have you stumbled on a good pair of high-waisted tailored pants you can refer me to? Or maybe I should stick just with the high-waisted skirt?

I will be reviewing the Burda blouson and the Marni coat shortly.

My sewing plan for September'08 - March'09

I am starting school this coming week, my daughter starts gymnastics and dance, I'd like to throw in some skiing in our winter plans, and we are also going to be away for a few days in September and 2 weeks in November. With other words, it appears that the fall and winter are going to be rather intense and this will inevitably affect my sewing/crafting.

BTW, speaking of dance...brag time! This is my daugher during her dance class:

I think that, hands down, she is my best creation ever!

With the busy schedule in mind, I decided to make a "rough draft" type of plan of what I really want to make during the cold months. It includes mostly unstructyred fluid pieces since I doubt I'll have time for involved tailoring.

1. I'd like to make a drapey cashmere or cashmere-blend coat based on BWOF 10/2007-101 pattern, sans the fur cuffs and possibly, the collar will be a side neck tie a la a 3.1 Philip Lim coat from his 2007 or 2006 collection. I am thinking either woven or appropriate knit.

2. A sweater coat with simple raglan sleeves and straight lines or possibly inspired by this Marni coat: http://www.yoox.com/item/YOOX/MARNI/dept/women/tskay/3FD17CD7/rr/1/cod10/410637082C/sts/sr_women80

3. A sweater dress. I really like this dress by Jovovich-Hawk and am thinking of doinf something similar.

You cannot tell from the photo, but the turtleneck is so big that it can be used as a hood!

4. A jersey dress a la :

a) this Halston (it has a deeper V-neck in the back and the side seams are weighted in order to allow the drape):

or

b) this Bi La Li bubble dress:

5. I have to finish my BWOF jumper I posted earlier this week about.

6. Knock-off a top by a label called Alldressedup. BTW, their collection amazes me. It show draping in a completely new (almost origami-like) light and at the same time very modern and clean. Check it out if you are interested at http://www.alldressedup.com/. The top I want to recreate is this one and it is going to be a challenge but a good one:
6. Knitted accessories:
I am not a knitter but can knit VERY basic stuff like scarfs, ponchos, wraps. I am really fascinated by some designer accessories, such as these:

a) Michael Kors Snood (essentially an oversized cable-knit turtleneck knitted in the round):

b)DKNY Infinity scarf (a scarf which two ends are sewn together):

c)See by Chloe Hooded Scarf:

For this one I will need my MIL's help but can definitely do it.

So, I am interested in your imput. What do you think? Have you seen something similar to my inspiration pieces that you could point out or hint at a pattern I can use? Any input will be appreaciated!