New skort pattern and the 1st Kwik Sew pattern for me

Since I have seen the shorts with crossover in Burda last summer I have been in love with them. My stripes attempt was not that bad but they were very short and tight so I only wore them to the beach.

 My second attempt to make them more city wear was not that bright either ( I should have enlarged the wrap panels as well):

 So I kept wanting a better version of a skort. So when I seen the Simplicity pattern I knew I have to try it as well:

I went from start with 4cm length added since some of the previous versions I seen on the web did seem short. But this time I did the length increase on the skirt panels as well so I kept the look. I have used a beautiful 10% stretch denim that I initially wanted for another pair of cropped Eleonore jeans but the stretch was not enough. And now that I sewed this instead I am happy I did not try it anyway because I did use some Eleonore jeans elements to my shorts: the back pockets and a larger version of the waistband and they still slip a little difficult unlike the blue pair that had the required stretch even if I used more fabric to this waistband and I tensed the elastic a tittle bit to still fit me OK:

Over all I am very pleased with this pair except that the leg is a bit to wide but I plan to sew them again and try fix that issue as well. We will see how that goes:

I wanted a top to match better my new skirt and I tried for the 1st time a Kwik Sew pattern - 3616

It is a nice and very easy pattern. I really liked their tissue paper and the instructions but my fabric stretched a bit at the neck line and my attempt to fix the gap messed a bit with my pattern matching in the front and that really bugs me but still is a soft and comfortable top to wear and the colors go just perfectly with the shorts denim:

BurdaStyle summer outfit ( 06-2014-124 + 07-2014-111)

Last week I tried 2 of the latest Burda patterns and I got some funny shorts and an OK beach top.  But I was not 100% pleased with any of them. Sure I love the shorts but they are a bit to tight and to short and the blouse I can only wear it to the beach being so transparent... So this week I gave them another go.  This time it was the other way around... love love love the blouse and the shorts get just my OK.

I tried to fix and improve everything but I am not sure all changes were good for the pants. I added the wrap panels to the back as well ( not so bad idea but it should have been somehow longer ). I wanted to add some ease but I got a crappy fit for the shorts this time. The good part is that they are a lot more conformable and easier to wear with the extra length.

The blouse on the other hand turned out just perfect. I had the inspiration to add the band to close the sleeve and now I just love the way it sticks with my hand and I can wear my hand on either of the sleeve holes. Also instead of the split in the back I did a keyhole.

 Some photos indoor : the colors are off but you can see better the shape and the drape for the blouse:

Previous pair of wrapped front shorts here.
Muslin for top here.

The Black Sea Weekened - Burda 06-2014-124 + Simplicity 1808

Last week was probably the most prolific week ever for my sewing. Getting the retro dress done along with 2 tops and a pair of shorts. It was so nice to have them ready for my weekend trip.
   The top is Simplicity 1808 that I sew last month in a bigger size for a gift ( here ). This time I did size 10 with no other adjustments. The pattern is for knit but I used thin cotton blend very pleasant at the touch ( but no stretch ) .  I am lucky my bust is not that big else I would have needed a side zipper. Now that I sew it the second time and the fabric was easy to work with I come down really fast. I don't exactly love it but I like it.

   Tho shorts were done on the spur of the moment Thursday night thinking we may go to the beach this weekend and I LOVE them.I don't usually mach fabric with the initial design but the stripes were so playful and I had just the right amount of this quilting cotton for it. I was like asking for it.  This pattern is very fitted. I normally cut 34-36 from Burda but this time I cut 40 and they still are a bit to tight. If I will do them again I will add more ease to it and maybe do the a bit longer.

 

   I think this is the 1st time I actually used Burda instructions. I was a bit weird the way they wanted you to sew this shorts. The order was not my usual way for sure but It was so much easier to work with them that way and arrange the panels in the front so I do recommend to do as they say. The only thing I did differently was to add lining to the front panel so it will still look nice if the wind blows them . 

   I really enjoyed the outfit and the patterns. It was all worth it.