New Look Cowl Tank and Long Skirt

My husband had a family reunion on Sunday and I wanted to make a quick new outfit to wear to it. I procrastinated until Saturday of course.  I wanted to make something  comfortable to wear as we had to drive a ways to get there.  I also expected hot weather. 

 

I prewashed, traced, cut, and sewed up these two all on Saturday.  I’m pretty proud of myself because I usually can’t sit and sew that long without pain.

First I made the cowl tank: New Look 6470, View B

This is the same pattern I just made the other day in View D.  I also made it in view B twice last year (purple muslin and blue floral).  I love cowls but hate the lining flipping out all the time.  I fixed this by making the cowl lining the entire length of the shirt.  Essentially for the pattern you have the front with a mirror of the front up on top of it and then this all flips in half so you have cowl and underlining all in one.   It worked slick and now I don’t have to worry about any cowl flipping out.  (I like the extra coverage in front too).

Size: 14 for shoulder and high bust, 16 at waist/hip; I took 3/4” out of the back neck in a slant to 0” at the bottom. I remembered from last time that the back neck was huge on me.  This accounts for 1.5” total out of the back neck. I added 1" to the hem as well.

Fabric: 2 yards Black Matte ITY Jersey from Hancock’s, just bought for this project on Friday.  $11.18

Thoughts: I love this top. It is lightweight and feels great to wear.  It looks better than casual but not overly dressy. The fabric was easy enough to sew.  The only downfall is that it tends to snag easy. 

 

Next I decided on New Look 6054. View A

A simple skirt that doesn’t really require a pattern unless you are lazy like me and do not feel like putting any thought into it. I made this skirt way back in 2012 out of a linen blend and it is so comfortable to wear.  I had cut the pattern out in a size 14, sorry that won’t fit these hips! However, it was super simple to grade the pattern up to an 18.  Essentially if you follow the pattern sizing you would add 3/4” to the non-folded edge.

I was squeezing this out of the 2 yards of fabric I bought, pattern calls for 2.5 yards of 60”.  I left off the tie for this one but did put in the button holes in case I change my mind.  I just didn’t want the added bulk at the waistline. 

My fabric is pretty wild, perfect for a simple pattern.  I picked it up Friday from Hancock’s, too.  2 yards for $12.98.  It was on sale and I had a coupon.  Rayon Challis.  I hung the skirt for half the day Saturday before I hemmed it.  It grew just a tad, I had to take 2” off the hem. 

Sunday came and I was all excited to wear my outfit – but the weather decided to rain and turn cold. HAHAHA.  Oh well, I love the outfit and will wear it often this summer.

New Look 6054 ~ Long Skirt ~ View A

A few weeks back I made this amazing skirt (ok a great skirt out of amazing fabric) and I really liked it...(New Look 6054) except that it was so short!  I wanted to make the skirt in a long version because I love the pattern and the outcome of the skirt.  It is relatively quick to make and soooooo comfortable!

I'd been eyeing this fabric up for a bit - it spoke to me.  I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that sometimes a fabric just calls your name.  So I ordered it.  A cute medium weight Linen blend.  (You may click on the picture and it will take you right to it if you would like).

    Linen Blend Abstract Floral Light Blue on sale for $4.78 a yard!

I purchased 3 yards for $14.34; the pattern called for 2 3/4- 2 1/2 yards.  I wanted to make sure I had enough.  I do have a nice chunk of fabric left over; (maybe a few could be fat eighths) however, I think that the 3 yards is needed.

The pattern is really easy to follow.  You cut the front and back of the skirt out, the waistband, and then a tie.  I used bias tape in navy for the tie on this one.  There is elastic and the tie in the waistband.
I had no issues except that I couldn't sew it fast enough!  It turned out perfect.  I love it!  (I did learn one interesting fact today though.  Do not wear a thong when wearing a linen blend skirt.  The skirt lays against the body nicely, but also lays within the space between my butt cheeks too.  I'm not into showing the world the exact shape of my behind!).

Ignore the weird expression on my face.  I was asking Mr. T to hurry and snap the pic.  It was so darn hot today.  Heat index of more than 100 and lots of humidity.  

We had some wind when we had our picnic on the bluff though.  :-)

I think this is an excellent pattern.  It gives 4 different skirt options.  Short, medium, long and then a long one with a ruffle bottom.  It is definitely going in my favorite pile.