Monday, March 30, 2015

Lady Skater ~ Revisited

I loved this pattern the first time I saw it and was so excited to make one up for myself last January.  Then I became frustrated when the pattern did not work for me so I left it lay for some time and decided now was a great time to revisit it.

Last January I overlooked that the pattern is drafted for someone 5'5".  No wonder I felt it was high waisted on me.  Actually I'll list all the issues I had: too high waisted, dislike for cap sleeves, unpleasant fit in the neck, shoulder, bust area.

So here is what I changed this time around: 



  • I'm 5'7" so I added 1" to the bodice at the lengthen/shorten line and 1" to the skirt at the l/s line.
  • took my Renfrew TNT and laid it over the lady skater bodice.  Traced off the shoulders to the armscythe (boy the difference).  
  • 1/2" square shoulder adjustment
  • replaced cap sleeve with renfrew short sleeve
  • Used fold over elastic in waist instead of clear elastic because I hate that itchy feeling I get from it (allergic to latex)
My measurements had me between a 4 and a 5 so I went with a straight 4.  I like negative ease.  

The only hard part was remembering that the Renfrew shoulders, arms, and sleeves were 5/8" SA where as the skater is 3/8" SA.  

I used my serger for all of the construction except the bottom hem which I coverstiched. 


My first go around was my "test" but it turned out so great that I'll be wearing it everywhere for sure.

Fabric: 2 yards black cotton jersey knit from fashion fabrics club.  I picked it up in January this year for $3.95 a yard so $7.50 total.  I didn't pay attention to the cutting layout and had to cut the back skirt as two pieces (not on fold) just to get it to fit on the 2 yards.  So I have a seam down the back of the skirt on this one.  My advice: pay attention to the cutting layout! It saves you a bunch of fabric.


It fit wonderfully and I loved it so I went ahead and sewed up my desired fabric.


I love this fabric!  It was called "violet blue floral ponte double knit" from fashion fabrics club, also purchased 2 yards in Jan 2015 for $3.95/yard so $7.90 for this one too!  Sadly this fabric is now out of stock.  It is 97%poly and 3% lycra.  I feel like every purchase from them is a gamble as to whether I'll love the fabric or not, but this is one I wish I would have bought more of!


Red cotton lycra used for the bands.  I originally had the ponte fabric for the neckband but it wouldn't lay right so I had to unpick not only my serging but also the coverstitching all the way around. Ugh!  I do love how it turned out now though so it was worth the extra time.


I'm so glad I didn't give up on this pattern :)  I feel like I could make a dozen more of these!

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

27 comments:

  1. I love how bright and springy your dress is!!

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    1. Thanks Dawn! I was just thinking the same about your new shirt :D

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  2. You look fantastic! I purchased the pattern but haven't yet attempted it. I am of similar proportions and also adore the Renfrew so I think it's time I give this a go. Appreciate you sharing your adjustments...I plan to steal shamelessly!

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    1. Thank you Shari! I do hope you give it a try :) Steal away!

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  3. It looks so great! I'm glad you gave the pattern another try - it's one of my favorites.

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  4. I want one of each please!!! Love these. Wow. Both look fabulous but I especially love the floral. I was going to go to the site to buy some till you said it was out of stock. :( ha ha I haven't made this pattern yet because I could never decide of a fabric, but now I know it will be a floral. Totally going to copy what you did, but that is nothing new for me. :)

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    1. Thanks Shirley! I'm sort of sad that it is out of stock now lol. Copy away! :) Can't wait to see yours!

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  5. Great fit Kristin I really like this shape on you x

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  6. It looks great and sooo comfortable! I am planning to get my knit sewing on. Only done it once before. What can I say, I am the great procrastinator :D

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    1. Oh Siri! Once you sew knits you never want to go back ;-) Thanks!

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  7. Looks great - worth the effort.

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  8. Love this fabric, Love the dress. Great fit!

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  9. Wonderful fit and you are looking so well!
    xx N

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  10. So pretty... Looks pretty on you.
    Isn't it terrible , when you buy a fabric you really love, and you can no longer get it..eeeh.

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    1. Thanks Judy! and yes, it stinks lol! I wish I had yards and yards of it.

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  11. I'm so happy for you that you finally got this pattern to fit! It looks amazing on you and especially like the fit on your back. It is always so frustrating when you have a difficult to fit pattern and see all the lovely versions other people have made. I've just managed to fit a blouse after hiding it in a drawer for over six month, haha. Relief! Georgous fabric by the way :)

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    1. Thank you Daniela! I was surprised I didn't need to do more adjusting to the back for my sway :) I do get down when I can't get something to fit right and everyone else is gorgeous in it. lol. Blouses are hard to fit too. I'll look forward to seeing yours!

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  12. The dresses look great! I am so glad that you nailed down the fit for you.:)

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    1. Thanks Cindy! Me too. I was getting so jealous of everyone else's ;-)

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