WOOL CHECKERED SET

Hey friends 🧡 How fun to wear this Wool Checkered set again after I made it a few years ago!

We visited Waterdrinker Farm in Long Island. Great place for the kiddies to enjoy all the fall activities.

The farm has a pumpkin patch, sunflower field and a corn maze. Plenty of insta-worthy spots!

Like this photo on instagram 🧡 @ammaraza

Now, about this outfit! This is the third skirt I’ve ever made around 2014. The first two were for my Sewing I class at FIT. I created the top a whole year after the skirt.

I learned a lot of things sewing this skirt. By the time a year passed and I created the top, I was more confident in self drafting and creating my own designs. The ruffle details and shortening the skirt to a midi length really makes this feel like an ammaraza look.

Behind the Scenes

I used a pattern for the skirt. If you want to learn to sew, start with a sewing pattern!

Supplies Used: 🧡Wool Fabric (similar) 🧡Simplicity 1541 Sewing Pattern 🧡Fabric Scissors 🧡Cutting Mat

I literally took months working out the details of this skirt because I made so many mistakes! (I detailed them in the captions below).

I view using skirt sewing patterns as training wheels. Once you sew a few different styles, you can ride on to the next level and self-draft!

Now I find it easier to use my own measurements for the perfect fit. Then create the perfect pattern for the fabric and style I want to wear.

Self-drafting takes practice. If you read my posts on my Minerva Set or Marc Jacobs Set, you can see how far I came from this skirt!

Skirt Front – Can this be proof at how unwise a princess seam is for a checkered print?! I thought it would look great, but I didn’t like the end result. This taught me to pay more attention to making sure the print and seam finish work together.

Skirt Back – Lapped zipper! I’m happy with how this turned out, however wool is bulky, so the finish isn’t neat at the waistband. I love the darts and wish I had darts for the front too.

Erroneously I chose a bemberg rayon lining! Not a good fit. It’s not stretchy enough as a lining for a fitted skirt. I love the softness though!

I made the lining work by cutting it short. Really, in the end I realized a wool skirt doesn’t need a lining and I could’ve saved the hassle! The pop of color inside is pretty though.

Skirt Back details – a godet and an accidental slit! Added when I realized it was to narrow to walk in.

It was so discouraging to make mistakes. Now I see I really learned a lot about pattern drafting, sewing, and creating my design aesthetic. Now I feel quite confident to create any skirt look I want!

Shirt Front – Bust darts for shaping. You can see I did 3 rows of basting stitches for gathers and serged seam allowances and hems.

Shirt Back – The slit back finish is beautiful. An invisible zipper application would be easy and beautiful too!

Here are a three ways I’ve worn this set over the years!

Yep – originally a maxi skirt! I realized I love midi lengths so much more.

Which style is your favorite?

Here’s my makeup look. In love with this Natasha Denona Bronze palette. I think I need a section for makeup and sewing, any ideas what I should call it?