Pattern Review: Burdastyle Karl Lagerfeld Mini Skirt

My recent schedule is conducive to neither sewing nor blogging as its following the order of LA-Chile-Boston-LA-Chile-Boston-LA. I now even have platinum status on American Airlines -early boarding, overhead bag space like a pimp, free MCE seats. Don't know what MCE means? Up to 6" more extra legroom in that smelly, dry metal tube palace of comfort.

Whenever I'm not hurdling over the equator at unnatural speeds, I try to sew. One of those projects was based off of this picture that I pinned.

Happy Endings, loved that show!

The pattern I decided on was Burdastyle's Karl Lagerfeld miniskirt, based solely on Karl's name and the awesome skirts ladies before me had made (looking at you, Delphine!). This is my version.

Well those look nothing alike.

This was my first burdastyle pattern. I did not like it. Bad instructions, bad pattern pieces, no seam allowances, choke me now. I tried to put in the front fly zip, but the zipper was so big, it...um....looked like I had a....um....super-long....male bit(?) outlined on the front of the skirt (really trying not to be google-able for weirdos!). NOT a good look. So I ripped that out and put in my first exposed zip. The new problem is that whenever I sit down the zipper bulges out like a dude's....oh you know. I did not take a picture of that for you, sorry. What I do love about this skirt though are the snaps. This is the first time I've used and installed snaps. I used the Snapsetter, love that thing! Close up, no bulges, I promise.

The elasticized waist gives everything a good fit.

I used Mood's eco twill which I bought wayyyyyy over a year ago (come on girl, get your ass in gear!). The fabric has a nice color and sheen, but it didn't want to press sharply. I trusted the description about it not needing a prewash because I'm all about the eco-save-water-stuff. It worked! You don't need to prewash! If you need a good solid, basic eco twill, go for this stuff.

All in all, I don't like this skirt much. I need to accept that the high-waisted silhouette is not for me, and nor are man bulges.

So, my hands are in my pockets in all these pictures, but I'm engaged! I'm so happy and you bet your bananas that I'll be making my own dress!

Sunday Confessional

I didn't know that sewing machines were supposed to be regularly serviced until I started following sewing blogs. I still haven't taken mine in.

Hey, that's my machine. Beautiful stitches!

Forgive me.

New McCalls Patterns: Fall 2014

AKA when women are encouraged by the powers that be to embrace their inner catholic school girl. Hit me baby one more time...

McCalls 7022

I like how they choose the longest skirt to showcase here, trying to minimize the Britney comparisons. I see right through you McCalls!!! Its Britney, bitch.

McCalls 7014

Its nice when a school offers you more than one uniform option. The school of McCalls. Want to hear a funny (sad) story? My middle school required uniforms in the form of shirts. While my mom and I were waiting to buy my clothes for the next two years, the oh so well organized school ran out of all shirts, but white, X-large, short sleeve. So my uniform for a few months of middle school hell were two X-large white shirts, one with a huge margarine stain on the front. When black, medium shirts were finally offered again it was a revelation. I wonder why I wasn't cool...

McCalls 7025

Designer Joi! I can't not say this without using jazz hands. Designer Joi! Those fabrics (together, apart?) are hideous. Its already a coat with a lot of stuff, it didn't need 1980's fabrics too.

McCalls 7017

Designer Joi! The ruffle on that shirt is ugly and the bellybutton slit in the shirt is making me twitch. Designer Joi doens't have a singular POV, does she? Those are two very different patterns.

McCalls 7016

Giant shawl collars look so dated, not my style.

McCalls 7021

Hey, that's cute! The beads certainly make it, but its a good base! The peplum isn't too puffy, this is great!

It even comes with a mullet peplum, that's fine. That's all, right?

Oh no, they added another peplum layer, not a great decision. That is the end right? Right?!?!

Oh dear god the peplums are taking over....

Really why stop here McCalls. Why not 4,5,6? Can't look much uglier than this and the peplum pieces are likely just rectangles.

McCalls 7018

The collar's kind of sad-droopy, but I'd wear this. I like ruched sleeves and tabs as long as the buttons are functional so I can iron the creases out. Wait, the sleeve is gathered in the tab in this picture and not in the line drawing. I hate when the actual garment in the envelope isn't what is on the envelope. Anyone else run into this? Simplicity seems to be the biggest violator of my trust.

McCalls 7026

This is an exercise outfit, I get that. Is that thing on the back supposed to be wings and a homage to Hermes? Running fast and stuff. Because that would be kind of cute. If not, what were they thinking? Also, lace butt ruffle, no. Just no.

My favorite pattern in this run is McCalls 7019. When I first saw it in the thumbnail, well, see for youself.

Oh that's cute, McCalls is making skating costumes.

Oh dear, those are pants.

Sunday Confessional

I know you are supposed to listen to music or podcasts when you sew, but I like to watch trashy reality TV shows. Preferably reruns of one that went off the air a few years back which stared three ladies and their octogenarian boyfriend.

Forgive me.

Sunday Confessional

My cat, fascinated by thread, once grabbed a recently threaded handsewing needle by the thread and ran away. I chased him through the apartment terrified he was going swallow the needle and die, but also scared that he would drop it and I would step on it while running after him. He thought I just being mean chasing him to take away his fun new toy. When I cornered him, all the thread was in his mouth and the needle was at his lips. I've never even told my fiance. This is between us.

Image from Coletterie Tutorial on making threaded belt loops

Forgive me. (I am now extremely, extremely, extremely careful with anything crafting related around my little monster cat)

New Named Patterns!

Named is one of my main temptations for breaking my stashbusting vow (I have to finish three projects before I can buy anything else, I'm on number one now). And now they've released new patterns for fall. These are my favorite

Wenona shirt dress by Named Patterns

Nascha Mini Skirt by Named Patterns

The line has a different feel from the previous two lines. The clothes aren't as streamlined as before, but its still really great. I can't wait to try these out!

The Luxury Throw

The Luxury Throw was born from a moment of madness. I wanted to make something pretty for my mom and while flipping through my newly acquired Twinkle knitting books and showing her the projects, she mentioned that the wrap was pretty. In my head I thought, I'll make her that, but I'll make it BIG. I always seem to go that way: big art, big plants, bigger is just more striking. Bigger here was the wrong decision.

The Luxury Throw uses the Lilac Mist Throw pattern from Twinkle's Weekend Knits in Rowan's kidsilk haze stripe. I only know which yarn I used because I have one ball left that I couldn't bear to add to the throw. I hate mohair. How did I forget that? I sticks to everything, especially itself, it knots, its like knitting with spiderwebs. Like the angry ghosts of spiderwebs. The pattern itself is fine, I like repetitive knitting and knitting is one of the few parts of my life where I don't like to challenge myself.

Want to hear the kicker? This behemoth took almost two years to knit and has been to South America THREE times. Its huge, but can fold up and fit in the tiniest purse. It weighs significantly less than a potato, but after being under it for two minutes, you'll be warmer than you ever thought possible. Its super strong, but snags like a bitch. This is The Luxury Throw of contradictions.

Now why am I calling this The Luxury Throw. I gave it to Mom on Christmas and she asked me what it was. I struggled with that same question starting about halfway through this creation. Too big for a wrap, too light for a throw. That was until I saw on the Pickles website, a giant mohair throw similar to this under the heading: Luxury Throw. I'll stick with it.