Jackets and skirts and purses, oh my!

So, I gave up on the Martini Weekender Jacket. The written instructions were sort of confusing and I really needed an illustration or two just to figure some things out. I think I'll email Hot Patterns, but I honestly don't love the piece enough to try again. I'm not really a jacket person but I've seen enough What Not to Wear that I hear Clinton and Stacy in my head telling me to "lock and load the girls" in a nice, structured jacket. I personally think the girls are happier in a sweater.

The other reason I shelved the jacket is to work on some pieces to wear during my trip to Montreal at the end of the month. It's a more dressy city than Denver, so I needed some things that weren't yoga pants or cargo capris. I decided on a denim pencil skirt as a great piece I could wear a lot. I found the Simplicity Amazing Fit Skirt 2475 and some lightweight denim at JoAnn's.

I ended up making an inadvertant muslin of the skirt because I realized I needed to shorten the length without losing the fun kick pleats and also, maybe, enhance my bum a bit. My body type is an inverted triangle, so I'm busty with narrow hips (even after 2 kids). I first made the pattern in the Average cut, but found the Slim fit worked much better for me. And I got to put in my first invisible zipper. I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

The other project I wanted to work on was another version of Amy Butler's Frenchy Bag. I found a great Paris-themed home dec fabric and coordinating jaquard fabric for the top and lining.



The pink dots on the lining remind me a bit of Andie's prom dress in Pretty in Pink, but I think the whole effect is really fun. I finished it just the other day and have already taken it out for a spin.