I made a blue skirt to wear to my niece/goddaughter's baptism. Since my plans for a Christmas dress never worked out (see first photo), I thought this was a nice excuse for a pretty new skirt at least. The fabric is blue silk I've had in my stash for eons. I used every scrap to make a straight skirt with pleats and waistband and a big ol' bow... the jury is still out on that part. Hubs definitely doesn't "get" it.
Anyway, here is the failed X-mas dress, just for posterity. The skirt fabric was left over from another project and it just turned out way too short, despite my measuring. In the photo, the right half is hemmed. I didn't even finish it. The bodice is another eons-old stash silk, and the problem there is that I couldn't raise my arms at all. Definitely needed gussets. Oh well.
Enough stalling. Here is my skirt, which I
am happy with:
It is just some rectangles with large box pleats (like
this one has at the center) and some smaller secondary pleats, and an invisible back zipper. I'm really happy with how it turned out. That cream-colored sweater is what I was planning to wear with it, along with those booties.
But wait, I also remembered
this skirt that Katherine (Bloom) made, and for some reason, that made me think I needed a big bow. Bow on the skirt and bow on the sweater is a bit much, though, so now I'm going to march out in every possible top I own and solicit opinions. Help!
Also, it started raining right after that first photo, so the backdrop goes downhill. Okay, here goes.
The original, first option:
#2, but this shindig is in Philly next weekend, so really, the short sleeves won't cut it. It was more to see another option for warmer weather. Also trying some different shoes. And BAM, there's the bow.
#3, the closest to the original sweater, but this one feels more casual with the button cuffs. It's also more of an oatmeal color, and I'm not sure it works as well with the blue.
#4, I like this more than I thought I would. What say you?
Oh, and here is a side view. I really like the side view.
Aaaand the back. Matching pleats all the way around.
And yes, I'm a dork, but look how pretty! Someone else is going to have to hold the baby during the baptism so that I can artfully arrange my skirt.
#5, This is more of a sweater than the previous one, which is like a glorified ribbed tee shirt. I do kind of like this one, but I thought the bow would be too much with the cowl.
#6 And my
Carolina Herrera-inspired look. Trying some black booties, but I'm not feeling them.
I think I'm still partial to the first sweater, but I think the pumps are better than the booties. I'm not opposed to getting a totally new top, but I'm running out of time.
Please help! :-) What looks best to you?
And a little WIW today. An
oldie but goodie. It's a testament to the quality of the fabric that I can still wear this after (5!?) years in rotation. The hem is getting stretched out, though. It's definitely time to make another version.
I cannot remember where I got this fabric. I think it qualifies as "deep-stash."
I went with the short-sleeve version for maximum wearability in Florida. It did work nicely yesterday over a long-sleeved tee and leggings. This was super-comfy and I still just LOVE these pockets. 
The only changes I made from the pattern was to shorten the length a bit and make the neck band narrower (and hence, the neckline is wider). It really it is a tunic-length - I couldn't wear this without leggings - and it would also work as a swimsuit cover-up. I also omitted the vent and button at the neckline. 
