**Update: the winner of the giveaway is dotted whale!**
Good morning! So when the insanely talented Marte of Compagnie-M contacts you, curious as to whether you’d like to try out her new skirt pattern, there’s really only one answer.
And there’s really only one word for the skirt: fabulous. M doesn’t actually comment much on the clothes I make for K, but when he saw this one, he was seriously impressed. “Cuuuuute!” he said. And that, my friends, is the highest form of compliment.
Let’s talk about the details, shall we? Did you think I would make this in anything other than grey? Of course not. The fabric is some kind of denim/stretch twill combo, I think, and I guess it’s more of a dusty French blue-grey. One of my favorite shades. There’s a good amount of give and I love the texture. It’s pretty thick and I freaked out a little while I was making this because when I started to iron the fabric, rusty, orange spots started to appear when my iron spouted some water. Thankfully, they went away as soon as the fabric dried.
The piping. This is the first time I made piping myself, and the cording I got turned out to be thicker than I initially thought, but it all worked out in the end. I don’t know why I don’t add piping more – it instantly elevates the garment to a whole new level of coolness, and this was no exception. And it’s not just neutral business, oh no. Can you see? There’s a floral party going on with the pocket lining/facing. It’s the same fabric as the infinity scarf, and it’s always fun to add little details like that. Ignore that bit of puckering that happened when I tried to attach the waistband. The waistband turned out to be a tiny touch too small.
Now, I’m not one for following trends normally, but I’ve been hugely enjoying the stripes + floral print madness going on lately. It’s very JCrew and Anthro. In my book, it doesn’t get any better than that.
When I saw the Swing Skirt pattern, this entire outfit immediately popped into my brain. If that tee looks familiar, it’s because I made a remarkably similar one for Elsie Marley when we had a clothing swap last year. In fact, this one was meant to go to Meg’s son, but it was early days of knit sewing for me and I just couldn’t get the neckband to come out right (you can see the one I finally sent off here and here). It’s the Oliver + S Field Trip Raglan Tee, which is a fantastic pattern. It’s amazing what a difference a year and over a hundred handmade garments will make: I finished the neckline in about five minutes. Ditto with the infinity scarf, which is made from some luscious lawn-like cotton I’ve had since before K was walking.
The pockets! Oh, how I adore these pockets. They are so easy to construct, yet look incredibly high-end and challenging.
I won’t lie: this skirt took me a long time to make. I’m used to Japanese patterns that are, quite frankly, very fast to construct. It’s not that the swing skirt is difficult at all – in fact, Marte’s instructions are excellent, and the steps are very straightforward. It’s just not your bang-it-out-in-fifteen-minutes skirt that I may be prone to making. Marte includes a lot of details that result in a professional-looking finish, which is absolutely lovely, but I probably shouldn’t have started sewing at 11pm. I didn’t want to disappoint Marte’s high standards, and I admit I had to unpick more than a few seams, and I still ended up with some puckering. And the only other downside was that the sizing was off – the stretch factor may be to blame, but I cut the 7 (which has K’s exact measurements), but the waist is very loose and for these photos, I had to actually fold the waistband to keep the skirt from slipping off of her hips. BUT. She loves it so much that after the photoshoot, I added a temporary FOE waistband as a stop-gap measure so she can wear it out of the house. And it will be worn for years to come, I’m sure, and next time, I’ll make the waist adjustable, which is an option.
Regardless, cuuuuuuuuuuuute and fabulous, right?
So, onto the giveaway! Marte is generously giving away a free digital Swing Skirt pattern to you, my lucky readers. Y’all know that techy stuff isn’t my particular strength, and Marte, who obviously doesn’t suffer the same fate, provided a very savvy rafflecopter functionality for you to enter the giveaway. It’s open until November 6th, so act fast! And don’t forget to check out the other wonderful swing skirts on the tour.
Lovely outfit. My favourite colour is that bluey kind of grey too! teamed with the gumboots and Field trip t it’s a very cool outfit. Love the skirt pattern as you’ve shown it here. Well done
Thanks LM! That blue-grey makes me weak at the knees 🙂 Still haven’t figured out what those orange splotches were though…
I love this outfit! Such a great combination of details and prints. I’d wear it myself.
Thanks, Suzy! I would wear this outfit too, even though it would be a stark departure from my normal monochromatic outfit choices 🙂
Yes, cuuuuuuute! Fabulous. And very professional looking. And perfect for dancing in the rain apparently! I wonder if I would be able to squeeze into the largest size of the pattern? I think I need a skirt like this.
I bet you’d be able to modify a pattern to add the pockets to an A-line skirt, Ute! This would be great as a grown-up version!
And I like that I could enter the give-away with my mail address. I have had difficulties with rafflecopter before because I am not on FB. Great!
Oh, I really lòve this version! It’s absolutely wonderful, the plain grey looks very stylish and I adore the floral touch inside the pockets. I made a test version as well and I agree on Marte’s excellent instructions that come with the pattern. The Swing Skirt definitely is a winner!
Your version is wonderful Eva Maria! I just love your photography – so crisp!
What a fantastic outfit! I love the grey skirt coupled with the floral pockets and scarf. Very nice! I think that skirt looks like a great pattern, too.
It’s a fun skirt to make, provided that you don ‘t start at 11pm at night ;-). And K really adores the skirt, especially with the “matching” scarf!
Oh so cute! I love her entire outfit… why am I so late to jump on the infinity scarf bandwagon?? It’s so beautiful and such an easy accessory. Thanks for the giveaway!
Infinity scarves are one of those incredibly satisfying sewing projects: quick, stylish and crazy easy — jump on, Erin!
You know, you are quickly becoming my gold standard for what patterns I want to invest in. I did see this skirt the last few days, but I was on the fence. Ditto for the t-shirt. I recently (as of last week) sewed with knits for the first time, and I no longer want to buy tee shirts for N, but make them. You have convinced me to get both. Realistically, not possible right now with the dollar exchange rate, but thanks for your very good opinions. i really really appreciate them. And as always fantastic outfit.
I love sewing up knit tees! They’re guaranteed to get worn and are simple to make to boot! I’m glad that you find my posts on different patterns helpful, Asmita — it’s such a treat to get to try them out 🙂
K looks so happy in that skirt, you’ve done a great job. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks Norah! K was particularly giggly during this photoshoot, and I’m sure the skirt had a lot to do with her happiness!
Ditto, didn’t know if I wanted the skirt pattern but now I do. One of my Grand daughters wears nothing but skirts!
I’m certain that your granddaughter would adore the pockets, Karen! It’s such a great, kid friendly design element.
That skirt is cute…and I totally want a grown up version for me too!
Me too! Although, I would probably make the piping a charcoal grey for myself 🙂
love, love, LOVE!!! This is the quintessential K outfit: sass, style, stripes and of course the requisite grey! (and such a perfect shade of blue-grey at that!). Sanae, you know I love the clothes you sew for K but this has got to be one of my favorites to date. I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of Marte’s new skirt, as I adore those pockets. And to see it made Sanae-style . . . it doesn’t get any better:)
As for the floral and stripes mixing, I’m with you! Add in a raglan pattern and cuteness abounds. I sewed one up a few weeks ago too: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24761454@N00/10312817016/
Thanks for sharing this “cuuuuuuuuuuuute and fabulous” outfit – I could see my youngest loving this as well, boots and all!
Oh, I love your raglan tee, Lucinda! What a lovely combo. Marte’s design is genius – it’s been a hit and got many compliments!
Cuuuuuute AND fabulous, indeed! 🙂
Thanks Venus! Lala would rock this skirt, no?
Another great outfit 🙂 I am feeling the cowl/infinity scarf love right about now too. The weather is getting so chilly here in Quebec!!
Here in Seattle too, Tracy! I had to lug another down comforter up to my bed because it’s getting so cold at night. Thank you for the outfit love 🙂
A very cute outfit. Love the matching pocket lining and scarf. That sort of attention to detail is right up my alley! I recently made a skirt with similar pockets for myself – the piping turned it from a fairly plain looking garment to something so much cooler!
It’s all in the details, right? I love little touches like that. And yes! Piping is a complete enhancer – must add it to more clothes I sew!
i loved reading this so much. flowers and stripes are my favorite!
I would love to see what you would sew up with this pattern, Rachel! I’m still swooning from that autumnal dress you made. Gorgeous.
Love the outfit and colour combinations!
Thank you, Rhoda! I always like to try a little something, though grey and stripes tend to be a mainstay 🙂
Monday must be like Christmas every week at your place. I think I need to make this skirt- it hits all the right notes.
It’s a very stylish skirt, and yes, K is pretty jazzed that she gets an outfit a week. Mama’s practicing spirit is her gain!
oh i love it! this is such a great outfit, all around. working on my swing skirt right now…nothing like the sewing at the last minute 🙂
Can’t wait to see your version, Gail! And hear hear on last minute sewing! 🙂
Oh the whole outfit is great! It’s got a really nice structured/loose/floral/stripe/solid thing going on and it works perfectly.
Thanks Kristin! I’m starting to slowly find a balance of making outfits that both K and I love 🙂
The outfit is super, and I love the floral party going on inside the pocket 🙂