I desperately need lightweight jackets that I can wear from fall into winter, and I prefer to be able to dress them up or dress them down.  I will defintely be able to do that with this jacket.  Hancock Fabrics had the fabric labeled as ponte, but trust me, this is much lighter weight than a ponte knit and it has a very soft drape.  It was my plan to wear this to church yesterday, but with the temperature still in the low 90’s, I opted for a short-sleeve blouse (made by me) with the black skirt instead.  So here I am sweating perspiring just long enough to get a few shots of the jacket.  Sorry the pics are not the best quality.  DH was in a hurry to get back in front of the TV so as not to miss one of the rare games where the Redskins were actually scoring!!!

Here is the pattern description from the Simplicity Web site:  “Simplicity misses’ & plus size jacket has shaped armholes, side seam pockets and top stitching; skirt in two lengths has asymmetrical yoke and front cascade. Pullover knit top has 3/4 sleeves. Khaliah Ali pattern collection.”  I beg to differ with the shaped armholes.  The pattern has dolman sleeves, which is why I chose it because the dolman sleeve seems to be a big trend this season.  Okay, there is a seam that could give the armhole some shape – that is if the sleeve circumferance wasn’t so dang large.  No, I didn’t make a muslin.  Next time I will take in those sleeves a bit so the jacket is not so overwhelming.

I’m thinking if I belt the jacket, or add a couple inconspicuous hook & eye closures just below the bustline, it might accentuate the waistline a bit and draw attention away from the huge armholes.  Maybe, I’m just not used to the dolman sleeve anymore.  It has been out of style for a number of years now, but it is making a reappearance this year.  So, with all that said and after seeing the above photo, I decided to restyle the way I wear the jacket. 

Deep in thought, I contemplate other ways I might style this jacket.  Belted over a black sheath dress might be another option.  Hmmmmm, do I have a black sheath dress in my closet?

After the “wadder” early last week, I needed something that would give me instant gratification.  Here it is, and it has become my new favorite summer skirt.

The pattern is super easy and a beginner could sew this up quickly. From start to finish it took me about one hour to complete.  I did not follow the instructions because there are only two pattern pieces.  I simply sewed up both sides, but instead of the elasticized waistband allowed for in the pattern, I chose to use a foldover waistband.  I have a couple of RTW knit skirts with that type of waistband and I really like them.  To do this, I cut off the pattern at the waist where it allows for a self casing and treated my new fold over waistband just like stretch binding on a t-shirt.  I cut a piece of fabric 10″ wide and approximately 2″ smaller than the total top circumference of the skirt.  I sitched together the short ends of the waistband and folded the band in half lengthwise.  Then I sewed the waistand to the skirt, raw edges together and I simply fold it over when I wear it.

I’ve had this knit fabric in my stash for several months.  I think I picked it up at Joann’s for 50% off during one of their spring sales.  It is a very lightweight one-way stretch nylon/lycra knit.  I adore the deep purple color.  Since I used knit fabric, I didn’t do anything special to the seam finishes.  I simply used my serger to finish them.  If you choose to make this same version with the shaped front hemline as I did, be aware that the inside of the back will be visible.  I recommend a fabric such as this where the wrong side is not distinguishable from the right side and I recommend that you plan to finish the seams in some way so you don’t have raw edges showing.

Serged seam and rolled hem

One word of warning about this pattern – it runs very, very large.  I cut an XSM and I still had to take 4″ off the waist/hipline.  I usually cut a size medium or small.  The fabric suggestions on the pattern are for light to medium weight woven and moderate stretch knit fabrics.  I’m thinking a woven fabric would not have to be adjusted as much as a knit, but the pattern still runs large.

Have a great sewing week!