When I ran across this gorgeous Italian Metallic Gold Abstract Cotton Print fabric at Mood Fabrics, I had to have it.  But typical me, I never stop and just buy a swatch.  Ain't nobody got time for that!  I pull the trigger on the purchase when I see something I like.  I'll make it work for something!

Maybe you guys haven't noticed, but I've been in a sewing funk lately.  Well, it started with a cold and cold meds and I felt like doing NOTHING!  I pretty much vegetated and flipped through all of the March issue magazines. The sewing room collected dust.  And our typical bipolar Southern weather didn't help the situation either.  One day it was 35 degrees, the next day it was 75.  Do I continue making cold weather clothes or do I start sewing for spring?  Well, regardless of the temperature, it is in fact March and almost spring.  So it's about time to pack away the woolens.  Now back to this fabric...  

I was looking for something to get me out of my sewing funk.  You know how it goes, you need that one simple, fulfilling project that gets the sewing juices flowing and what better project than a skirt!  

Sources 1, 2 and 3.

I've fallen in love with the front slit midi length pencil skirts that Michael Kors has done for Spring 2014.  I knew that I needed to make a skirt like that or my sewing world would just not be complete!  This fabric that I bought for a completely different project, fit the bill.  This is a crisp hand medium weight cotton that feels like a lightweight denim.  

I used Simplicity 2257 as my base pattern.  I used view A.  I omitted the kick pleat, belt and loops.  I added 3 inches to the length, created a french vent and drafted a lining (I used Bemberg rayon).  The fabric is 100% cotton, so I treated it like I would any natural fiber -- prewashed and dried on hot!  It sewed and ironed beautiful.

My shoes are from ShoeDazzle.com

Worn with my patent leather top, reviewed here!

I still had fabric lying about from the last couple of projects.  And while I was about to fold and shelve the pieces, I decided to just use it instead.

This is the patent leather from Mood Fabrics that I used for this skirt.  I liked it so much that I decided to make a patent leather t-shirt.  I used Vogue 8840, view A. 

This top went together really easy.  The only alteration I made was a FBA... didn't want to have that "smushed uniboob" look!  I really love this designs welt seams.  They scream, "Let me be leather or suede!"

It's a simple pullover top with a cute little neck slit opening with a hook and eye closure.  I fused the hems for a cleaner look.

***Sidenote:  When ironing leather/faux leather, I always use a pressing cloth with no steam.

For my simple, single-seam pencil skirt (fabric cut on the fold, based on the your waist measurement with negative ease, with an elastic waist), I used the last yard of leftover red ponte knit from Mood Fabrics that I used for these pants.

I layered my top over a black long-sleeve knit top, added opaque tights and patent leather booties and my pea coat.