I’m ready for back to school. Too bad I have no class! LOL

But seriously what says fall more than a cute plaid skirt with a top to match? So easy and quick to make too.

I’ll start with the top: I bought this pattern during the Fabric.com sale this spring with the intention of making the dress version. Now that I’ve seen myself in the top version I’m reconsidering that idea. I don’t think a big expanse of clingy knit across my most troublesome area is a good idea, even with the miracle of Spanxx. But as a top I love it. I have an almost identical top in a heavier purple interlock that I bought somewhere in the last couple of years (how’s that for specifics) and when I saw this pattern I thought, hey I can make that. So I did.

The pattern couldn’t me simpler, three pieces, no interfacing. I sewed all but one seam on the serger and hemmed it with a narrow coverstitch. Overall a couple hours work. Now that I have the pattern traced, next time it will be about 20 minutes faster. I swear if I cut out internet breaks I could make it in 45 minutes.

Now for the skirt: Even easier. I made this entire thing in about an hour or less last night before dinner. It is a basic bias-cut, elastic waist, pull-on skirt. I cut the front piece, flipped it over and matched up the plaids and cut the back. Then all I had to do was seam the sides (4-thread overlock), finish the top and bottom edges, put in the elastic and top stitch the casing down and hem. I did cut about 2” off the bottom before hemming to get the length I liked. The fabric is some “suiting” fabric (don’t you love how specific they are at Joann’s?) I picked up on sale and it has some stretch to it. I was going to make a more tapered pencil silhouette with it but decided for quick and easy. I think this A-line is flattering on me and I love comfortable, easy to wear clothes with a bit of style, I think this outfit fits that bill perfectly.

I bought these basic black pumps yesterday at DSW. They are a good heel height for work and they have a lot of cushioning in the foot to make them easy to wear all day. And as you can see, they show off the new ink very nicely. I think when the weather gets cold, my black leather boots will also look good with this outfit. 

Misses’ top, tunic and dress: Semi-fitted, wrapped sleeveless top A, tunic B, and A-lined dress C have collar, attached tie ends and narrow hems. I made View A, size 18.

Pattern Sizing:
FF (16-18-20-22) I made 18.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Likes: The wide portrait collar adds a nice feature to a basic wrap pattern. I also like that the front is a full wrap and isn’t too low cut. The straps are nice and long and leave enough for a nice bow.
Dislikes: None really.
Fabric Used:
Momo by Moda quilting cotton. I wanted to try the shirt length in this pattern before committing to the quantity of fabric needed for the dress length. Even at the short length it takes a lot of fabric because of the size of the collar. I had this fabric in my inventory and I liked the color.  (My daughter doesn’t like it because I used this fabric to make her a pencil case last fall and now that is what she associates it with! LOL)
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
None. The only slight alteration I made was to pull the inside edge of the bodice up about a 1/2" at the shoulders to try to circumvent any gaposis.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I like the pattern and do want to make the dress. I just need to find the right fabric.
Conclusion:
Cute wrap pattern. Pretty easy to sew. Takes a lot more fabric than you think it will because of the size of the collar and the flair of the peplum. I had to piece my fabric for one of the front "skirt" pieces because I was just a bit shy of enough to cut it whole.