A Little Time Off

Makizy Sews will be on a hiatus for a while. I usually try not to dig too deep into personal, non-sewing related topics, but this is unavoidable.  My mom passed away suddenly just before Christmas, and keeping up with blog posting has been at the very bottom of my list these days.

I hope to return some time in January. Sewing has always been my creative, (mostly) stress-releasing activity. To me it also represents a return to normalcy. After our move back in August, I didn't feel settled in and "normal" until I was able to set up my machine and start sewing again.  I really hope to get back to doing what I love soon and also feel joy in sharing my projects. I'll be quietly lurking the sewing blogosphere, admiring everyone's creations.

Until then, hope you all have a good new year and I for one am hoping that 2014 brings much better things.

All About the Journey

As a wise man once wrote, "The point of the journey, is not to arrive".¹ Well, I keep trying to remember that because it feels like I've been on a number of sewing-related journeys lately but still haven't arrived at my destination. I have three projects going at once now, which is something I've been trying not to do. But, I'm just trying to enjoy the sewing process and stop focusing too much on the completed garment.

Since I don't have much in the way of finished projects to show, I thought I'd post a few teasers of the current WIPs.

¹ If you guessed this was a lyric from the song "Prime Mover" by Rush, you win a prize! Actually, if you guess Rush for any song lyric I quote, you'd stand a 50-50 chance of being right :)

Kimono Tee Time (Part II)

I've been meaning to post this project for a while now. Funny thing... I had the bright idea to make my friends matching Avocado hoodies for their upcoming wedding. Mind you, this was about a week and a half before the wedding. Brilliant, I know. I printed patterns and purchased fabric but wasn't able to start until last Monday. The wedding was on Friday. I managed to bust out both hoodies in 4 days!  Damn that was crazy, but so happy I finished in time. Of course I don't have pictures, but maybe I'll be able to take some soon.

So, it's because of that small little side project that I haven't had a chance to write up a proper post until now for part two of my kimono top binge, the Burda Kimono Top:

Before my official "I'm expanding my horizons and making something that's not a Renfrew" experiment [link], this was probably the only other top pattern that I've made in the past year or so.

Pattern:  Burda 7866

Fabric:  If you guess Vogue Fabric remnant room, you'd be correct! This is a very pretty, soft wine-colored knit. It's dressier than the t-shirt fabrics I normally pick up.

Size and Modifications:  I cut a straight size 10. I've had this pattern cut out for a few years now, and I probably should go up a size, at least in the hips.  Some day...  I also left out the belt because I would just lose it anyway.

I promised my photographer extraordinaire, my husband, that I would include this action shot (even though I look like I'm missing an arm):

And the back:

It's really a simple, versatile pattern. Not too many bells and whistles, but a nice basic top that I know will end up in heavy rotation.

Kimono Tee Time (Part I)

Once I latch on to something, it's can be hard for me to try something new. I'm like that with many things - food, TV shows, music, etc. For sewing, after I've found a pattern that I like and that fits well, I tend not to stray. Especially if I've spent some time making adjustments.

That said, I'm trying to expand my horizons. It all started with this awesome fabric that I picked up from Mood online:

It was screaming to be made into something other than a Renfrew, my go-to top pattern. Something boxier that would highlight the fabric more instead of a body-hugging style.

Enter the Kirsten Kimono Tee from MariaDenmark. This is a free pattern available when you sign up for the MariaDenmark newsletter. I was actually eying up another top pattern on the site but was really drawn to this. If you asked me a year ago if I would ever make a top this style, I would have said "no". (Why? I don't know. That's just how I am.) And, I would have missed out on this:

Pattern: MariaDenmark Kirsten Kimono Tee

Fabric: The description on the Mood website is Navy/Black Misc Novelty Knit, and it's a polyester rayon blend.

Size and Modifications: I cut out a straight BL (for this pattern, that corresponds to body measurements 38.5" bust, 32" waist and 42" hip). I wanted something slightly boxy and originally tried to grade the pattern between sizes. (The only measurement above that matches me is the hip.) However, after multiple attempts to grade between a small and large and add seam allowances, I gave up.  This was totally no fault of the pattern, I just spaced out multiple times during the process. Funny thing is that I'm completely happy with the fit of the current size and could have saved myself a headache in the first place.

Once I assembled and finally cut the correct size pattern out, the shirt went together quickly. You sew the side seams, attach a neck band, hem the cuffs and bottom and boom you're done! It's simple, yet elegant.

The black mesh of the fabric is see-through and I do have a tank top underneath because this is not that type of blog!  :)

Purple Explosion

I've been on a top-making binge lately.  Between last Wednesday and today, I've made three tops and am half-way through a fourth.

The one I'm most excited about is my second Avocado Hoodie made from the awesome heathered purple fleece I picked up from my recent trip to the Textile Discount Outlet (Blogged here. I called it maroon in that post, but after playing with it for a while, have decided it's more purple.)

Pattern: Avocado Hoodie by Disparate Disciplines. I made option B, non-overlapping hood with back pockets.

Fabric: Super soft, super awesome purple fleece from the Textile Discount Outlet. I could not stop petting this in the store. I also used purple jersey left over from this dress for the pocket lining picked up in the Vogue Fabrics remnant room.

Size and Modifications: Even though I said I would modify the size a bit after my last hoodie, I lied.  I used the same sizing as before - size 6 on top and size 8 at hips. Since this fabric is much thinner and more drapey than my first, it fits looser.

I also did elect to interface the pocket tabs with some lightweight fusible interfacing and tacked down the tabs just a bit in the corners. This helped them not gape open as much as my first hoodie. (That one isn't bad, these just lie flatter.)

Close-up of my lining:

Underneath , I had on my latest Renfrew.  This is the millionth time I've made this pattern, and there's no end in sight. This shirt was made from purple burn out jersey picked up from, you guessed it, the Vogue remnant room. Seriously, most of my Renfrew fabric comes from here.

As you can probably tell, I've been on a major purple/maroon/burgundy/wine colored fabric binge lately. But hey, if the color works, why not stick with it?

Completed Silk Saltspring!

Well, the monkey is finally off my back (or baboon off my ass, if you remember my earlier post). I finished my silk Saltspring!

This one nearly did me in! After my first attempt (see link above) I spent a lot of quality time, just me and my seam ripper, completely taking the skirt and lining apart. I spent hours more trying to figure out exactly the best way to re-cut the skirt to avoid unfortunate pattern placement and also work with the fabric that I had.

Pattern: Saltspring from Sewaholic

Fabric: Thakoon paisley silk crepe de chine from Mood Fabrics and black Ambiance Rayon Bemberg lining from Vogue Fabrics.

Construction Techniques and Modifications: I cut a 4 at top graded to 8 at the waist. I swapped the ties for thicker straps and added a skirt lining. I used French seams for the outer fabric and lining, and used strips of the lining selvage to stabilize my zipper edges.  For the zipper, I used the Sewaholic tutorial for covering the zipper end (I love this little detail):

For the skirt, my goal was to create a wall of design noise instead of having a focal point with a perfectly centered pattern (if that makes sense).  To do that, I cut the fabric on the bias(ish), taking care to make sure the pattern motifs were away from the danger zones (In addition to the unfortunate back pattern placement, my first version had one area that looked very much like a diagram of a uterus centered directly front and center. I've managed to avoid that this time around.)  I also didn't worry about pattern matching on the skirt.

One source of inspiration was this dress below. I also saw on other Thakoon outfits using the same fabric that weren't always centered or cut on grain. (Some were, some weren't.) Every time, it just magically worked and I am in awe of his pattern placement genius.

Inspiration for re-cut skirt. Source: http://www.lyst.com/clothing/thakoon-paisley-tank-dress-multicolor-1/

Is it perfect? I don't think anything ever is. And, I've been staring at this for so long it's hard to be impartial. But am I happy? Yes. I'm sure this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I do like the crazy bold pattern.

This project has taught me not to be afraid of working with expensive, special fabric. Fabric that I put up on a pedestal. The worst thing is that I might mess up. Well, I did that. I spent a lot of time trying to correct it, and in the end I created a dress that I would wear.  Boom. Done. Next project.

I have a ton of scraps of this print left! Not enough for a whole new dress, but enough for a lot of small projects. I wouldn't be surprised if I can manage a scarf, top and a whole lot of fancy bias tape out of this.

Now, I can get to all of the other projects I have lined up. I've been very good, forcing myself to not start them until I completed this (the Avocado Hoodie doesn't count because Saltspring and I really needed some time apart.)

My First Avocado Hoodie

 My first Avocado Hoodie:

I'm calling this my "first" because there's definitely going to be more!

Seriously, I love this!

Pattern: Avocado Hoodie by the amazingly talented Mari of Disparate Disciplines.  I choose Option B, non-overlapping hood with back pockets.

Fabric: Double-sided sweatshirt fleece from Vogue Fabrics in Evanston. It's chocolate brown on the outside and a lighter tan on the inside. I used green jersey left over from my Burda gathered top for the pocket lining.

Size and Modifications: I cut out a 6 at the top and graded to an 8. The only other intentional modification was that instead of using clear elastic to stabilize the bottom pocket edge, I used a strip of the fleece selvage. Time will tell how well this holds up.

By "intentional" modifications, I kind of made a few mistakes along the way with construction. The instructions are great, but I just spaced out from time to time and forgot to follow them in a few places. It's all on me. Most of the time, it just meant me spending some quality time with my seam ripper (we've been very close the past few weeks), but I will need to go back in an either redo the topstitching along the neck or tack down the facing. I was in the home stretch and didn't see that I was supposed to sew 3/4" from the neckline. I think mine is about 1/4".  It just means the facing sticks up a bit, but I'll probably go in and correct this soon.

Check out the back pockets!

I do have just a bit of bunching around my hips and lower back. The instructions do suggest using a fabric with 4-way stretch if you have a swayback or a proportionally larger bottom (Check and Check). They also suggest making sure you have positive ease. I haven't measured, but with jeans on I should be right at the finished garment hip measurements. None of this bugs me in the slightest because I think it still rocks and is super comfy, but I will probably grade my next one a bit larger at the hips, or pick a lighter weight fabric.

And can we talk about the thumb holes!

I'm thinking of stealing this pattern piece and adding it to other tops because I really do love this.

The best news, my husband wants his own hoodie! There are a few (hundred) projects ahead in line, and I'd have to figure a way to grade the men's pattern up for him because he has crazy huge shoulders, but it should be fun!

I'm just sad that the weather is so nice out, because I really want to wear this more (or at least for longer than this photo shoot)! This is some seriously warm fleece, and I'm pretty sure I'd die if I wore it outside this coming week.

Meetup and Fabric Fun

This Sunday, I had the pleasure of meeting up with a group of amazingly talented Chicago-area sewing bloggers.  It's always inspiring to meet with such talented ladies, and extra fun because you know that every single one of them was wearing something that they created themselves! I didn't take any photos, but you should definitely hop on over to see the ones Michelle posted on her blog.

Our meetup began at the Textile Discount Outlet.  If you haven't been there and are in the Chicago area, you must go. It's a huge, chaotic, insane amount of awesomeness that will leave you feeling overwhelmed, but you'll also end up with some great deals. Afterwards, we headed out for lunch and pattern swap. Again, check out the pictures on Michelle's blog. It was a swap of epic proportions! I picked up two patterns, a Tiramisu (a pattern I've been eying up) and a basic elastic waist skirt that I'll probably make ten of to wear around the house. 

Amazingly, I managed to keep my purchases reasonable.  (And by reasonable, I mean under $60) I was very good keeping my wardrobe goals in mind for the most part and have patterns or at least ideas for all of the fabric!

My haul:

Floral Fabrics. The bottom left light blue is so soft! I'm sure it's rayon. The darker purple at the top left still feel great, but not quite as soft. I'm guessing that it's either cotton or a cotton-rayon blend  At least one, if not both, will become a Saltspring dress. 

Snake Print is a heavier, stretchy cotton blend (maybe?). The guy at the cutting table called it a printed denim. It doesn't feel heavy enough for that, but I'm definitely not the expert when it comes to these things. I couldn't find a suitable leopard print for my dream pencil skirt that wasn't velvety or chiffon, and this was my consolation fabric.  But, I really like this because it also has a sort of lacy vibe from farther away.

Maroon Fleece on the top right. This was so amazingly soft. I couldn't stop petting it! This is destined to become a Burda top similar to ones I've previously made, an Avocado hoodie, or maybe I could branch out and try the Lola dress pattern.  I hope to be able to squeeze a few things from this, so we'll see what happens.

Mystery Purple Fabric on the bottom right. Thurlows. I'm not sure if I'll go with the shorts or pants yet. I'm giving this pattern another shot and am not going to mess with alterations like before. I like to live and sew dangerously.

And, last but not least, SEQUINS!!!!!!!!

Here's a closeup of the awesomeness! They're so dainty and delicate and I love the color. I actually have been eying up sequins for some time now and while it's the most impractical item in my haul and technically not on my to do list, it's sequins!!! So shiny! How can I resist?  This will either become a sheath dress or a top and I don't care if I only wear this out to the movies or the Golden Nugget Pancake House, it's going to be worn!


I was also really good when I got home and went on a cutting spree! I usually hate to cut, but since I wanted another day to think about the silk Saltspring fix looming over me, I cut out the fleece for my first Avocado hoodie, a maroon knit for a Burda kimono top, some plaid fleece for lounge pants for my mom, and I'll even include a Renfrew even though I didn't cut it out. I found the pieces and added them to my pile so I'm counting it.

Wardrobe Planning

This week I've been thinking a lot about wardrobe planning and how to fill the holes in my wardrobe. Actually, I've seen similar posts around the blogosphere lately so I know I'm in good company. I'd like to be able to have an outfit appropriate for any occasion. It doesn't have to be perfect, but I feel like there are areas that I can definitely improve upon. Along with this, I've been trying to define my personal style. Doing so will help me down the road avoid wasted time and money making and buying garments that just don't suit me.

If I had to choose three words to describe what I like, they would be "Fitted", "Textured" and "Unique". To elaborate, I prefer fitted clothes, layers, bulky tops over fitted tanks and pants, mixing textures, unique patterns and color combos, high boots, and scarfs. Lots of scarfs! I also think I'm drawn to 80s-90s inspired fashions, as much as I am almost embarrassed to include the 80s. (Suffering through that neon-infused, hairspray saturated horror once was bad enough.) I can't help myself, I'm constantly drawn to some of those silhouettes. I would also like to branch out and incorporate some 50s-60s styles, but that might Phase II of this project.

I put together a tentative sewing and knitting plan for the next few months to address holes in my wardrobe and try to stay true to what I like to wear instead of the latest trendy pattern to come along. (It's very hard because there is so much awesomeness out there!) My plan isn't necessarily season-specific, and I'm sure I won't go sequentially through the list, but here it is:

Cardigan image from Phildar Tendances Printemps 05.

1. #27/Le Gilet 1 Bouton from Phildar Tendances Printemps 05. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I still knit. This has been a WIP since May '12 falls more in the "just finish the damn thing" category than trying to create something specifically with my personal style in mind. I think it will be a great basic wardrobe staple.  I'm using a nice cotton wool blend, beautifully modeled above by Ms Floozy.

Image badly photographed by me from Rowan 34.

2. "Reveal" from Rowan 34. This is so "ME".  It kind of hits that Matrixy/80s-ish/bulky top to wear over something skin tight style that I love! I became obsessed with obtaining this pattern a number of years ago, and then it sat on my shelf. This is the year! Choosing the correct yarn is going to be key in successful execution, and the suggested one (Rowan Cork) is discontinued.

Skirt images from Burda Style

3. Leopard or cheetah print pencil skirt.  It has been my goal for over a year now to make a leopard-print (or suitable big cat print) pencil skirt. I just can't the fabric! I've found tons of gauzy chiffon, but I need something heavy duty where it counts!

I just wanted an excuse to include another picture of Flooz. Just look at those pretty eyes!

4. Avocado Hoodie from Disparate Disciplines. This pattern is so amazing and I love all of the details! I probably mentioned this before, but I work from home. While I can get away with wearing t-shirts and sweats everyday, I feel better if I put some effort into dressing. I think this hoodie is just right for this: comfy, not fussy, and flattering. I have some double sided sweatshirt fleece from Vogue Fabrics in Evanston, IL just waiting to be cut out.

Fabric image from Britex Fabrics. Left: image from Burda Style. Right: image from Colette Patterns.

5. Skinny pants. This totally is my aesthetic - skinny pants as a base, a long tank top, and then baggier/shorter/textured top over. Add a scarf and boots and I'm a happy gal! Now, will they be modified Thurlows? Clovers? Something from Burda? I have some chocolate stretch cotton fabric in my stash that might work for these.

Image Source

6. Burda 7866. I absolutely love this top and have made two already (unblogged). These are two of my most frequently worn tops, and it only makes sense that I make a few more. I also think I can modify this into a dress.

Image from Sewaholic Patterns

7. Work Appropriate Top. I need a top for the infrequent times I need to professionally interact with the outside world. I'd like it also to be something other than a Renfrew, since that's what I always reach for first. I'm thinking maybe a Pendrell? I don't think I'm that crazy about this pattern, but so far I have a great track record with Sewaholic patterns. I have a feeling that if I give this one a chance, it could be magical. Or, I've also been wanting a peplum top after seeing all of the cute ones around the interwebs.

Image from Sewaholic Patterns

8. Cordova Jacket. I also need a work-appropriate jacket. I have high hopes for Cordova. I see this as a great piece to play with textured fabrics, or even incorporating some leather!

Awesome wool from my stash. Coat Images from Colette Patterns,

9. Lady Grey from Colette. I think my current silk Saltspring projecct has cured me of being afraid to cut into good fabric. It's not the end of the world if I screw up. I have some amazing wool stashed away for this coat. The only think holding me back now is being to lazy to muslin the pattern.This could be the ultimate statement coat.

(I don't have images for the last two items on my list.)

10. Maxi Dresses.  I'd like to sew at least two of them. I'm not sure of the pattern, or the fabric, but I guess it's good to have some mystery in life.  I'll probably use the Saltspring Dress pattern for at least one, but that's not set in stone.

11. Renfrews. Lots of them.  These are my go-to tops. There are so many possible variations for every season. I don't have specific fabric or version in mind, but I would like to add a few to my to-do list. Maybe a few sweaters? Or, I could try a crop top version? Or go to the other extreme and try to turn this into a sweater dress?


Lastly, here's a silk Saltspring update: I haven't given up! This is a labor of love and I'm determined to redo this! I'm slowly unpicking the seams and trying to determine the best way to re-cut the skirt to avoid any unfortunate pattern placement issues. My supplemental fabric just arrived, so I'll try to figure out next steps in the next few days.Wish me luck!

Pattern Placement Fail

I've been plugging away on my Thakoon silk Saltspring. Construction has been going very slow, but it's been so rewarding. I've been enjoying the process so much (except for a few swearing episodes hear and there). The fabrics were easier to sew than I anticipated and pressed great.

Well, last night was the first time I've been able to try on the almost finished dress. I only have a hem left. And... Epic. Pattern. Placement. Failure. 

So, I love the front:

And the back?  Guess where this design falls? Use your imagination because there's no way I'm going to model this. :-)

You might say "this is unfortunate". Or, the phrase baboon ass might come to mind. Either or, they're both accurate.

Even with this unfortunate turn of events, I will say that I'm so happy with my pattern matching. Really, one must laugh and look at the positives when one is presented with the reality of a design flaw of this magnitude. I don't know how I could have overlooked this.

I've been back and forth trying to convince myself that everything is okay, and asking my family to weigh in. Despite them saying it looks fine, I know it doesn't. I'm trying to convince myself otherwise, but in my heart I know what must be done. I'm going to redo the back of the skirt. It's going to be a major pain in the ass (no pun intended), but I need to not feel self conscious in something that I've invested so much time and energy in. This is supposed to be an epically awesome dress, damn it! 

I'm not sure if I'll have to completely unpick the entire back, waist and zipper (probably) or find a shortcut and only partially unpick, but I know it will be worth it. I just need to wait for the fabric to come in, and will probably console myself with some quick, easy projects in the meantime.

Has anyone else encountered "inappropriate" pattern placement on a finished or partially finished garment and if so, what did you do?

I Need A Drink

Or seven.

That can only mean one thing - I started cutting out my Thakoon silk for my next Saltspring dress. Was I smart and got a stable, easy to handle silk?  Oh no. Did I mention that this is crepe de chine?

I absolutely love the fabric and nothing was going to keep me from buying it, but I did not think this thing through! I have no rotary cutter, no pattern weights, and I'm too damn lazy to trace out a full pattern piece to avoid cutting on a fold. It's just me, a relatively sharp pair of scissors and some brand new silk pins.  I was just lucky that the cats stayed away.

That's right, I like to live dangerously (or stupidly, you be the judge).

The slightly sheer nature of the fabric helped me out. I tried to align the pattern motifs to the gridlines on my cutting board. I was also good and only cut through single layers of fabric.  I would cut half of the pattern and then flip it and sometimes the fabric itself over to help align the pattern.  I don't think it turned out half bad.

But seriously, the only thing that kept me from hitting the bottle was the knowledge that there was a 100% certainty that I would mess this up under the influence. Even one sip, and there would be no hope. Sober, I had a 50-50 chance :)

Here's the front:

And the back:

My strategy was to to focus on choosing and centering design motifs and not worry about matching the pattern at the side seams. The pattern is so busy that I don't think it's going to stand out. I've also been looking at dresses online that use this fabric, and side seam pattern matching is not even attempted in a few styles.

Since I'm a sadist, I chose a nice slippery rayon as lining. Funny thing is that I'm really not all that worried about the actual sewing. I trust that my machine can handle it.  Cutting out the pattern pieces has always been my least favorite part, so it's no wonder that agonized over this bit.

Finished Floral Saltspring

Here it is, my completed first Saltspring dress. I love everything about this!

Technically this is my "wearable muslin", so that I can perfect the fit before cutting into my Thakoon silk. 

Pattern: Saltspring Dress from Sewaholic.

Fabric: The fabric is from an extra large rayon dress that I picked up for a couple of bucks at my local Village Discount Thrift store.  It's 100% rayon, and so soft! I was in a "I want Hawaiian inspired fabric" mood when scoping the place out that day, and this fit the bill perfectly.

I also used a light pink cotton batiste (not pictured) left over from other projects for the pockets and bodice lining.

Before and After

Size and Modifications:  I cut a 4 for the top and graded to an 8 at the hips. I normally also do a swayback adjustment, but chose not this time. I figured that blousing effect would negate the need to make this adjustment. Looking at the pictures, I'm not sure. I think the dress still looks great, and am not sure if the lack of adjustment is noticeable to anyone but me, but I still might make the swayback for my silk version.

I did not have enough fabric to cut the flared skirt and had to adjust it to a dirndl skirt. It's not absolutely ideal, but also probably not that noticeable and I have to work with what I have. Also, for the purposes of this "muslin", was more important for me to test out the fit on top.

I did not have enough dress fabric to cut the lining pieces, and used some leftover pink cotton batiste from my stash.

For the ties, the original dress had waist ties, which I repurposed as is for the back ties. I did cut and sew new front ones. For my next version, I might shorten them a bit, or go with one of the many strap variations I've seen floating around the blogosphere.

Final Verdict: Love, Love, LOVE this! Still going back and forth over potential adjustments, but nothing that makes me like my first version any less.

The location for these photos was Gallery Park in Glenview, IL.  I call it Cormorant Park.  Here's why:

Double-crested Cormorants. Love them! (I'm kind of a bird nerd.)

Okay, deep breaths.. it's time to cut into my silk now.  Wish me luck!

Saltspring vs. McCalls M6744

I came across the Saltspring pattern from Sewaholic right after starting my McCalls M6744, and it was love at first sight! The pattern was similar to the McCalls pattern I had already fallen in love with, but so much more. I'd call it the fancier, big sister to 6744 (view A). I love top of Saltspring - the outer fabric is longer and sewn over a shorter lining, causing magical blousing without having to fuss with a belt. The skirt is also flared, instead of the more dirndl skirt style of 6744.

Both View A's are similar, but designed for different fabrics. McCalls calls for a stretch knit while Saltspring is for lightweight, wovens.

I also found the PERFECT fabric for my Saltspring. Or more accurately, I found the perfect pattern for the beautiful Thakoon silk paisley print that I have been lusting over for months online at Mood! There are not enough exclamation marks in the world to describe how much I loved and wanted this fabric. This new sewing pattern combined with me needing a serious dose of retail therapy after my move from hell sealed the deal.

The color is a bit off and I didn't take time to straighten out the pattern, but you still get the idea of how awesome this is!

But, there was no way I was going to use up my $50 silk on an untried pattern.  I recently purchased a very large rayon dress from my local thrift store that will serve as the basis for my wearable muslin. I was in a "must have a Hawaiian print fabric" phase, and I got lucky!

 

My first time sewing 100% Rayon.  It's so soft! I'm in love.

I'll have to make some modifications because I won't have enough fabric to make the flared skirt, but my main concern is testing out the fit of the top. Let's see how this goes!