Simplicity 1697

Another peplum.  Ryan asked me what those things were on the sides of my skirt when I put it on for today.  I told him they were called peplums.  He said they looked like I installed the pockets upside down.  Despite the initial review from my darling, I like my skirt.  The pattern is Simplicity 1697.  The fabric is a cotton in loose (lot of bias shift) basket weave.  I purchased it at Yellow Bird Fabric.  It takes 1 1/8 yard (though I could have squeaked by with 1 yard I think) of 60” wide.  I serged each piece to sparkly poly satin left over from a Halloween costume because they weave left holes big enough to need a lining and I wanted to stabilize the pieces some.  I made a size 12 due to my measurements.  It couldn’t be any smaller.  I think it is a little under a true 12 because of serging the pieces before construction and also the bulk of the fabric.  The pattern is easy to follow and cut well for me.  The only change I made was to add a small kick pleat in the back because I don’t like slits.  Excuse the wrinkled pictures—two hours of sitting through church did nothing for the skirt. 

    

Simplicity 1699

Great pattern.  I meant to cut out the sleeve from view A but forgot and cut out view B so this is a real capped sleeve—like inspire you to get to the gym and lift some weight capped.  I’d love to make this again with the view A sleeve. Its cute though and goes together like a dream.  I added an inch above the waist and an inch the the peplum.  I wish I would have kept the original length on the peplum but not enough to re-hem and am happy with the above waist addition.  I made a size 10 and it fits well.  The back has an invisible zipper that I can just barely zip up without help.  The fabric is a cotton poplin I picked up from Farmhouse Fabrics.  I used 1.25 yards.  Total cost including zipper was around $20.00 except now I want some white capri length pants to go with it.  I don’t know how many peplums a closet can support but I want to make this pattern again.     

The GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY

Good.

 

Bad. Penciled in the motif every scallop.  Much more embroidery to go.  

The UGLY.  I have two daughters!?! Actually it’s hard to call all these little pieces ugly.  Let’s go with VERY VERY BAD given our countdown to Easter.

Break over.  Sewing must resume.

Front Inset

Lu’s inset it smocked, to be blocked and set.  Onto the second.

Scallops

In the time it takes a person to make a whole dress I was able to accomplish the hem of—wait for it—of an apron.  Good grief these dresses.  There is a serious discrepancy with the amount of time left before Easter and the amount of sewing, smocking, applique, and embroidery I have left.