Plaid Pencil Skirt w/ BOW

When I found this extremely warm and soft plaid wool in the red tag section of Joann's and knew it was destined to be a skirt! I actually completed it for Veteran's Day (Nov 11) so I could have something red, white, and blue to wear for our school concert. However, I ended up wearing my long coat for our entire concert because it was OUTSIDE IN A BLIZZARD!  That's right, my awesome students sang outside for a Veterans Day concert in a blizzard - they are troopers. I still can't feel my fingers.... jk.

Here are the details:

Pattern: Gertie's Book for Better Sewing - Pencil Skirt

Size: 8 (waist) graded to 10 (hips)

* I was shocked to see there was only one size difference between my normal waist and hip measurement for Gertie's size chart - that makes things oh so much easier :)

My Shape: Tall (6'0), pear shape, narrow shoulders, long torso

Fabric: Plaid Wool, Navy/White/Red - Joann Fabrics

Size Alterations:

- Took in a little more at the waist, in addition to grading

Design Changes:

- Left off the waistband - serged, turned, and topstitched waist edge

- Added large BOW to the front (attached with safety pins, in case a non-bow skirt is needed ;)

- Removed several inches (at least 6) from the hem - this skirt is definitely drafted to be calf length!

Construction Notes:

- Stitched then serged all seams

- This fabric was very easy to sew with, and hides many mistakes, but the only thing I could use to mark darts, etc that would show up was a metallic silver sharpie! Probably not the best... lol

- Used invisible zipper in the center back

**IN OTHER NEWS** I am taking part in an awesome campaign called Dressember! I will be wearing a dress EVERY DAY for the entire month of December to raise awareness and funds to support the work of International Justice Mission, a human rights agency that is bringing rescue and freedom to victims of slavery, sex trafficking and other forms of violence. I have personally pledged to raise $500 for the cause, and already have $75! You can donate to support this awesome mission HERE - it only takes one minute. If everyone who follows this blog donated just $1, we could definitely make the $500 pledge! Any amount is appreciated! You can follow my dress documentation on Twitter or Instagram! I hope to have some new self-made dresses to show you this month to go along with campaign :) Thank you so much for your support! 

Loly in the Sky Shoes Promo!!!

Hi there, readers! Happy Friday! Today I have something completely different than our regularly scheduled programming - a little promotion for a wonderful company that is all about handmade style. Loly in the Sky is a line of shoes from Mexico - each pair is carefully handmade with love :) I showed off my first pair of these adorable flats early in the summer with this dress (and I have worn them a TON since then!) I think it is so cool to be able to wear not only our own handmade clothes, but handmade shoes as well!!! They just got a new collection in time for the holidays and the shoes are A-MA-ZING! Not to mention, quite affordable! 

On to the promotion...  the lovely Rocio from Loly in the Sky has offered 25% off any purchase to all of my readers with the code "quirkypeach" from November 29th - December 1st! Check out this chic pair of flats with the scissors - perfect for a sewist, yeah? They also make wedges, kids shoes, and sandals. Please do take a look! I think it's so important to support these kinds of businesses! HANDMADE ALL THE WAY!

P.S. If you wear size 9.5 shoes, here are my recommendations (as they skip from 9 to 10). All of these shoes "run small" so you can order up to a 10 and hopefully they will fit great! Worked for me! ***And great news - I have just been informed that Loly will begin making size 9.5 come January!***

Elsa

Sonia

Monica - ALREADY MINE! ;)

Isabella - SOON TO BE MINE!

Also,you could try these:  Adali, Gabriela, Maria, Paulina

*Disclosure: the quirky peach will receive 10% commission on all sales made using the above discount code. Please note, any and all proceeds from this commission will be put towards my IJM Dressember campaign to help end human trafficking - more on that to come - thanks!

Black and White Reglisse Dress

Hello there! Today, a long belated make. I completed this Deer&Doe Reglisse dress a couple of months back - at the time I wasn't really sure if I liked it or not, but it has definitely grown on me! In fact, wearing it to school just like this last Friday, I got a ton of compliments, and mostly from boys (elementary age, mind you). I even explained to one extra curious kindergartner how I actually made the dress with a sewing machine! I think the color combination works really well year round, and I LOVE it with these black fleece lined tights and booties - so warm ;)

Here are the details:

Pattern: Deer&Doe Reglisse Dress

Size: 38 (bust) to 40 (waist/hips)

My Shape: Tall (6'0), pear shape, narrow shoulders, long torso

Fabric:

Main - Ivory / Black Graphic Stripe Rayon - fabric.com 

Contrast - Solid Black Rayon Challis - Joann Fabrics

Size Alterations:

- Graded out to size 40 at the waistline
- Lengthened skirt a couple inches

Design Changes:

- None! Love everything about it! Bias cut bodice, contrast neck tie/collar and cap sleeves (also made waistband in contrast), gathered detail on shoulder, full swingy skirt, and no closures! AMAZING!

Construction Notes:

- The one main issue I had was with the super slippery black rayon fabric - After completely constructing the neckline, I realized one side of the collar was just slightly smaller than the other! Urrrrghhhh.... I considered ripping it out and redoing it, but decided it wasn't worth the effort. And I think I was right - I've barely noticed it since wearing it the first time (pretty sure that's b/c it's most noticeable from the back).

You can't help spinning around in this lovely dress! Even Camille twirls on the pattern page! This is a wonderful fitting dress, and I think it would work beautifully in about any print - I'm seeing visions of a sparkling plaid party dress in my near future! Ooh la la!