I love this skirt and I've already worn it out into the wild twice since I mad it. I can't wait to rotate it right into fall with boots!

I love a good coordinated outfit. And this one is so perfect for a good play on stripes. I'd had this fabric for around a year. It was a purchase from Fine Fabrics in Atlanta. I'd held on to it because every time I pulled it out, it wasn't quite right for what I had in mind. 

The fabric is a bold, red and white lightweight canvas, denim or twill. The fabric descriptions at Fine Fabrics are extremely vague, so you're never completely sure of compositions. I know this one isn't 100% cotton. It had that synthetic smell while pressing. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, because when I wore it, I wasn't all creased and wrinkled from sitting in the car.

This pattern is Simplicity 8927. I knew going in, I'd need to make pattern alterations.

Here's the FBA I made to the bodice.

I modified the should straps by adding buckles and eyelets.

For the skirt, I cut view C. There's no way that the other view would've been long enough for me, so I went with the midi length.

I needed to make a full seat adjustment.

This is such a cute pattern. I love how the top meets the skirt's waistband. It almost looks like a dress. I think it would look just as nice in a solid color as well. 

Sometimes, the simplest garment can pack a powerful punch in your wardrobe. And that's what this red skirt is doing for mine. I love the color red. It's a color that makes me happy and on the occasions that I need to be "on", it evokes confidence. 

This skirt from Simplicity 8175 fits that need. It's a self-belted midi length pencil skirt with a front slit. I created mine in a stretch wool-blend crepe that I've had in my stash for a couple of years. I think I bought it from Hancock Fabrics. I'd held onto this fabric for so long because it's not a "true red". It's warmer and what I would call a "fall red", because it is pretty close to the Pantone Fall 2017 - Grenadine 17-1558.

I cut the size 14 and I didn't have to add any additional length. I like the length straight out to of the envelope.

I really like the center front slit. I don't have a skirt like this in my wardrobe, so this is a unique piece for me.

 It's unlined, so I finished my seams with my serger and made a blind a hem.

Normally I would use an invisible zipper, but I was making this at night and I only had a standard red zipper in my stash. So I went with a center lapped zipper.

I made thread belt loop.

I love the length of this skirt. It will work perfectly with heels, obviously and flat riding boots and loafers which are my staples during fall. 

I simply can't get enough of the denim-on-denim trend.  This time it's chambray and white denim.  There is something so crisp and fresh about the combination of blue and white denim.

For my top, I went with an off-the-shoulder style, of course!  That's my thing right now and the obsession is not waning anytime soon.

My inspiration:

TIBI Cotton Twill Off-the-Shoulder Tunic, Moda Operandi, $295

HotPatterns HP 1196 Metropolitan Urban Gypsy Blouse is the most perfect pattern doppelgänger that I've seen for the most popular TIBI tunic.  I happened up on it last week from a HotPatterns newsletter.  I immediately purchased it, downloaded it, printed it out, and started taping it together.  Who has time for snail mail!

I cut the size 12 and it was perfect without a single modification.  I used a chambray from my stash. What I love most about this pattern unlike other similar styled patterns, is that this one has the exact same fitted front neckband with the elastic starting at the sides and continuing through the back.  And it also has the nice shirt-tail hem, which is perfect for wearing untucked.  There is an option for a shelf bra.  I didn't use that because I've never had a problem wearing strapless bras.  But if you need the extra support, that option exist.  And another excellent detail:  It has bust darts!  That makes a huge difference on the way it hangs over the bust.

Since both sides show on the sleeve ties, I took extra care in creating a narrow hem that I wouldn't mind being seen in a contrasting white thread.

This top is a winner for me and I'm so glad I found it.

Meg from Colette Patterns reached out to me and asked if I wanted to try their new pattern that was soon to be released and I was like, "Sure!"  I've never sewn a Colette Pattern before, but I've always admired their tutorials and I've collected quite a few on my Pinterest.  So when I received the new Selene, I was ready to get started!

I really like the packaging.  And included in the instructions are links to their helpful tutorials for certain techniques.

My wardrobe was missing a casual white skirt.  So I picked a great machine-washable white stretch denim from Joann Fabrics.  And since this skirt is lined, I needed a stretch lining to match the fabric's give.  

Based on the Colette Patterns' sizing chart, I cut the size 12.  Looking at the pattern pieces, I knew I'd have to lengthen.  I added 3 inches to the length so that the hem would fall right above the knee.  And since I fall slightly between sizes, I had to take in the waist a bit.  And as a general personal preference, I like for my pencil skirts to be tapered at the hem.  My ideal sizing is that the hem on my skirts should be 4" smaller than the widest point of the hip. 

Here is how the lining looks.

And this skirt has a lapped zipper.  Even though I can install an invisible zipper with one eye closed, I've only done a lapped zipper only a few times in my sewing career, so it's not something that comes natural to me.  It's not that different from putting in a zipper fly, but I did use the Colette Lined Lapped Zipper Tutorial.  And to keep the lining from creeping up, you're instructed to secure it to the skirt with a thread chain.  If you've never done one, here's the Thread Chain Tutorial.

All in all, I'm quite pleased with both new wardrobe additions.  And I'll be using both patterns again!

I'm currently participating in the "Build Your Wardrobe Series" hosted by the fabulous sewing blogger Mrs Crafty Chick.  Building a wardrobe with the basis of essential pieces is something that I've always been passionate about.  One of my personal style mantras is: "If you stay ready, you'll always be ready."  I believe in this so strongly that I gave a seminar back in July on this topic and it's the essence of this blog.  So my closet stays on point for each and every occasion.  The only thing that would catch me off guard is if I had a gala to attend on tomorrow.  Sorry, no ballgowns on hand -- yet!  But that's on my list.

I love to look polished and pulled together and a blazer is that perfect piece that will transition a look instantly.  It's the punctuating mark on a casual outfit.  Here I am wearing my Simplicity 1421 blazer.  I made it during the summer in a white twill.  But being my fashion-forward self and residing in The Deep South, I'll be wearing my white blazer year-round.  To hell with those archaic fashion faux pas.

In this first look, I paired my blazer with a black RTW button front blouse and my beautiful wool tweed Vogue 1066 Badgley Mischka pants.  Talk about making something classic with staying power!  These were made for Fall 2008.  And I love them even more now.  And I wore a magenta pump for a fun pop of color.

Nothing is more classic than the white button front shirt and the pencil skirt... two more wardrobe essentials.  My white shirt is Butterick 5526 and my pencil skirt is Vogue 8773.

A blazer is an amazing piece that tops pretty much everything!  Wear it over your LBD, with jeans and a t-shirt and with shorts!

I like dresses a lot.  But I'm completely a lover of separates.  Sportswear is my thing.  So it's pretty much a no-brainer that I would add matchy matchy separates to my wardrobe.  It's a perfect addition because they can be worn together or apart.  

I'd seen style blogger Kela post her outfit that I thought was adorable.  And sewing blogger Jenese had made her version.  And I followed suit with one of my current TNT patterns -- McCall's 6886.  I was already in love with this pattern and who knew how versatile it would become to me.

This is simply the quickest outfit EVER to make.  This pattern produces a quick dress anyway.  So I made a short sleeve dress.  I added additional length to my already modified pattern for seam allowances.  After I made the dress, I tried it on and marked where I wanted the cropped to end and allowing for a 5/8" hem.  I cut there and I took in the sides a bit so that the top wouldn't hang from the bust.  And I added elastic to the waist of the midi skirt.

I normally peg my pencil skirts in, but I left this one as is because of the length.  Since there is no vent or slit, I needed walking ease.  And also my rayon knit fabric (from my stash... I think it was a Mood purchase from last year) is almost t-shirt weight, and it doesn't have a significant amount of recovery so I didn't want the skirt skintight.  I love these pieces because I can take off the heels and put on flat sandals or a cute sneaker for a super casual look.  

For a Friday night, I decided to go with a little glitz and shine!  I found this awesome piece of sequin fabric at Joanns -- All That Glitters Fabric - Floral Sequins Navy.  I've always had the uncanny ability to walk into a store and put my hands on the most expensive thing in there.  My taste has always exceeded my wallet!  But not this time.  This beautiful piece of fabric that retailed for $30/yd was on sale.  Cha-ching... sold!  I bought it!

There was very little of this fabric left on the bolt.  I was only able to get 1.5 yds.  So I decided a skirt it would be.  I didn't want a plain pencil skirt.  

This fabric has pizzazz and so I needed a pattern of equal value.  I chose Vogue 8711.  I've made it before and I've loved my black version to death!

This pattern was already cut and altered in the size 14.  I still needed to take in the side seams and really cut the waist down.  And I went back and took about an inch off of the length.  These are baby sequins, so they're a lot easier to sew than the larger variety.  I didn't have to remove any from the seam allowance.  My needle chopped right through them with ease.  For my hem, I fused it for a clean and quick finish.  

For my waistband, I used a black ponte knit.  I didn't want to feel the sequins rubbing against my skin.  And I partially lined the skirt with a nylon tricot.  I just used the same method that I would to make a single seam pencil skirt.  I left it much shorter than the skirt because I didn't want it to show while I was sitting down.  I just needed enough coverage for the goodies!

Since the sequins are backed on black mesh, I just naturally paired my navy with black (the top was purchased).  

Thanks for the picture Adrienne!

I'm a fan of this color combo, especially for an evening look.