Some Basics

This may be my most favorite item I've ever sewn. And it's so simple. In fact, it was a really unexciting thing to sew. A black sleeveless top. Except for the pom poms, of course. Yes, pom poms! On adult clothes. I'm a rebel.

I took all of these photos the same time I took photos of my Zoe dress. And I have to say, they are all pretty terrible. I think I'm going to have to go back to the self timer if I can't figure out the focus with the remote.
Anyway, this black linen top is another version of Simplicity 1693. Nothing much to say about it except that I absolutely love it. I eliminated the center back seam and added the pom pom trim at the hem. It has been worn once a week since I made it. It has made me think a lot about the things I sew in terms of what actually gets worn regularly. This top- check.

I also made a grey cotton jersey version of the Comino Cap Dress pattern by Kitschy Coo. I like it, but I don't love it. It's a simple cap sleeve bodice with an a-line skirt. I think my fabric choice makes it a little frumpy. However, it will get worn to work a lot. I added in-seam pockets which was probably a mistake. The skirt is not tight by any means. But it is also not full enough to hide the outline of the pockets. I did not use the grey jersey for the pockets by the way. I am not a fan of knit pockets. I used a black and white striped super stretchy twill. I didn't get a photo, but you can see the stripe peeking out from the side. Which is a fun little feature. I added three inches of length since I am three inches taller than the height the pattern is drafted for. I added one inch to the bodice and two to the skirt. If I make this again, I'll scratch the length in the bodice and add it all in the skirt.

The neckline is pretty. When I wear it to work, I will wear it with a little cardigan over it to dress it up.

After I made the Comino Cap dress, I had a big piece of grey jersey left. This jersey is really thick and beefy. Really good quality stuff from Mood. My favorite kind of knit. I really wanted a jersey skirt so I pulled out my half circle skirt pattern and sewed this up in about an hour. Talk about instant gratification! Elastic waist and a slight high low hem. This skirt has also been worn once a week since it came off my sewing machine.

Notice a theme in my color choice lately? When I wrote that post about all of my duds someone suggested sewing with fabrics that work together. I know that is really just common sense advice, but it was sort of a light bulb moment for me. I make a lot things that don't work together. So I went on a small fabric buying binge (shhhh, don't tell J) and bought a bunch of black, white and grey fabrics. And you know what? It has worked. A lot of my recent makes go together and are being worn regularly. Anyway, I'll stop with all the black and white soon but it has been a nice way to beef up my wardrobe for going back to work.