This is my newest make, Simplicity 7308. The cold weather has arrived rather abruptly as it always does here in Melbourne. I am in desperate need of some winter skirts so I dug through the stash and pulled out this vintage Simplicity 7308 pattern. I’ve had this wool fabric stashed away (turns out for 5 years, originally blogged here) and they happened to make the perfect pair. The 1.5m piece of fabric I had was just enough to make the skirt and pattern match it nicely too…Gotta love some pattern matching!

Anyone else think the girl with the bob on the pattern art looks like Taylor Swift??

I got all excited about sewing the skirt up and forgot to fit it as I went. Turns out it’s a little bit big, but I don’t mind… it means I can tuck a nice thick sweater into it and still have room for lunch. I do wish it had pockets. I have some scraps of the wool left, maybe enough to put some patch pockets on? What sort of pockets do you think this skirt should have?

The cowl/scarf I’m wearing is the Stockholm Scarf. I finished it a few years ago, but have just realised I never blogged it. Naughty me! I really should as it’s gorgeous to wear.

Seeing as I’m quite short, I put a good 3″ hem on this skirt. Plenty of hem left in case I have a growth spurt…haha! The pattern originally had a small hem, but I think the deep hem helps it to sit nicely. I added a lining to the skirt as well. I know it’ll get a lot of wear with tights and I don’t want it clinging to my legs all day. I hand stitched the hem pretty much in the dark one night (the night before I wanted to wear it, of course!) and I can see it could do with a good press! Thankfully the cushy-ness of the wool means you can’t see my stitches on the right side.

This was my second go at a lapped zip and I love them. They give such a neat finish. I followed the directions in my old Singer Sewing Book and they seemed so much simpler than the first time I did it. I will using them from now on.

Aren’t my shoes fun?! They are from Shoes of Prey. I splurged and designed myself a pair of brogues. I figured I might as well make myself something fun that you can’t find in a store.

Finally a back shot, because I know all the sewists out there love to check out a fellow seamstresses rear. Those weird lumps in the back of my sweater drive me crazy. The strange construction is at fault, but they look so odd. I must try to remember to wear a coat with this sweater…or try and steam them out next time I give it a wash.

Bring on winter! I must give a shout out to Helen for being my photographer and Libby for making me do the right thing and put the lining in. Love you ladies!