Wednesday, August 17, 2011

FO: The 'Mrs Peacock' Pencil Skirt



I am SO excited about this week's sewing project!!!  I did go back and forth for a bit trying to decide what to make (this week's them is 'very important pieces' or that fabric that is really special that you haven't cut into yet...).  In the end, I decided I really wanted a very wearable piece that would allow me to mix-n-match separates for my Autumn wardrobe!


I got this amazing tweed at a local charity shop (for £4)!  It's specifically packaged to make a skirt (1.5 yards of 54" fabric).  What I love so much are the COLOURS! I've never seen a houndstooth/tweed with such lovely lush colours (including Teal--which is one of the colours I have picked for my Autumn sewing)!  It's 100% wool and such a nice weight (medium-weight) and surprisingly soft.

On the back of the label, it says it's from the Spean Bridge Woolen Mill in the Fort William area.  After some online research, I was devastated to learn that the Woolen Mill was destroyed in a fire in 2009.  It seems as though it has been taken over now by Edinburgh Woolen Mill?  I'm not exactly sure because I couldn't find much information.  But how sad is that?  Makes this fabric even more special to me.





I'm really, really happy with how the skirt turned out!  I did a hand picked zipper (photo on the left).  The skirt also features belt loops at the waistband and pleats in the front and back.


I had the perfect skirt pattern in my stash (Simplicity 3196) which is from the 1950's.  I made up view 1.  Unfortunately, the pattern is missing the waistband piece so I improvised and cut a waistband to stand approximately 1.5 inches tall.  The pattern has three main pieces.  I think it's perfect for this pattern because the front sits on the fold--so no need to match fabric in the front.


The back has two pieces that meet in the centre back seam.  I had a bit of trouble matching up the design in the back.  I ended up unpicking it once (which with wool is not so easy) and it still didn't match up.  But you know what?  I am totally fine with that! It's barely noticeable and I definitely didn't want to unpick it again!!!  Plus, I am super happy that the side seams match up perfectly!


I really love how this looks with the Pendrell blouse. I really want to make a black blouse to go with it too (with a peter pan collar--how cute would that look?)


I didn't line the skirt (that's more from personal preference and the fact that I've got a perfectly functional slip that I wear with everything!).  The fabric is very sturdy--so I'm not worried about it stretching.



I got these really cute 1950's glasses last time I was visiting my family! I still haven't put prescription lenses in them (on my list of things to do in 2011)--but I thought they looked perfect with the outfit---very Mrs. Peacock.  I thought of Mrs Peacock as a name for this outfit after Lisette suggested it for the Pendrell blouse!  I love the movie/game Clue (or 'Cluedo' in the UK) and thought it was appropriate--especially since her main colour is a tealish peacock blue!


We took these photos in a lovely park in Edinburgh that has this stately house (which I believe is a B&B now!). 


I'm reading one of my favourite sewing books The Complete Book of Sewing by Constance Talbot published in 1943.  It's an amazing book and I highly recommend it!


So glad kitty approves of the fabric! :)  I'll be announcing a giveaway for the pattern this week--so stay tuned! What do you think of the outfit?  What about your plans for autumn/spring sewing--do share!
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59 comments

  1. Oh how cute is kitty!! that is the most gorgeous photo :-D

    I'm totally jealous of your warm weather too. And that awesome outfit!

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  2. Debi - the skirt is gorgeous, and goes so well with your Pendrell blouse too. Great job! :)

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  3. Your skirt is delicious! It looks absolutely stunning with your Pendrell too! And your kitty is the cherry on top of this post!

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  4. AMAZING! the whole outfit is perfect, and very you! the skirt seems to fit like a glove. I love using pencil skirt patterns from the early 60's, they actually fit and flatter a woman's figure!

    Looks like you had a nice day in the park too :)

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  5. Debi that skirt is so lovely. The colours are really nice. I love trap, and it definitely suits.you so well.

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  6. Gargh...!!!! Am speechless. Could slip out of my seat and collapse in a little pile of 'oohs' and 'ah's on the floor. That is one of the best home sewn outfits I've ever seen. I absolutely love that skirt and it goes perfectly with the blouse. Both such bargainaceious fabrics, too. The photos are beautiful, as are you. What an inspiring blog post.

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  7. It's really lovely! The fit is perfect and the shape is great on you. I love the fabric too - I've seen some of those skirt lengths for sale in charity shops before, but never one as nice as that - what a great find.

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  8. Wow! Gorgeous! I think I need more than just the humble exclamation point to truly convey my reaction! I hope I grow up to be as good (and classy) a sewist as you x

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  9. Wonderful colours! Actually, the pale blue matches my nails perfectly today... ;)

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  10. That skirt is so flattering on you and works so well with your pendrell blouse. Made in a great fabric and fits so well, what can I say. Perfect!

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  11. VERY ladylike! And what a lovely colour!

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  12. I love it! The colours are perfection, and the skirt is so flattering. My main autumn sewing project is Vogue 1207 in a peacock printed silk for an October wedding.

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  13. This skirt is perfect on you. The fabric is the best as well. I agree that it is a terrible shame about the factory fire. So many of home-based factories are struggling to stay in business and finding quality wools is a challenge.

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  14. I love the idea of teal for autumn sewing! The skirt come out so flattering too.

    If I didn't know any betterr, I would have thought that B&B was used in the movie The Holiday.

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  15. Love the park pictures! So pretty - this outfit is so flattering on you! The style, form and line, colors, everything suits you perfectly! Beautifully done. Love that hairdo too!

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  16. What a perfect skirt for that fabric! And it looks wonderful with the teal Pendrell. Well done!

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  17. Good LORD you are YUMMY in this look! I think it's my favorite on you!

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  18. I love it! That skirt is so nice, and I adore your shoeeesss!

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  19. ooo, I love plaids for the same reason - you can get so many different matches out of them. Black jacket or sweater/teal jacket or sweater. Jeeze the combinations in this one are great. And matching plaids is really tough. I've been doing this sewing thing for almost (wow..I'll have to whisper this one) 50 years and the only way that works for me is to pin the plaids to match at the selvage edge, hand baste them together and then cut it out and sew it. Otherwise, everything shifts - I think I have an uneven feeding problem under my presser foot. But as you say, it's in the back...
    You know finding a plaid such as this one, with 'nontraditional' colors, is really a find and puts a lot of fun into it.

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  20. You look sensational! That skirt is sooo perfect for the autumn, and with the Pendrell, you just made most terrific outfit!

    Great job! :-)

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  21. WOW! What an excellent charity shop find! The skirt is beautiful and goes so well with the Pendrell and those glasses!

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  22. I love, love, love, that tweed - the colours are gorgeous. And you have made perfect use of it in that classically beautiful, very chic skirt.

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  23. Isn't it funny how a piece of inexpensive, thrifted fabric can be so precious? specially when the tag proves that it is absolutely irreplaceable, I mean, the factory burned down! Anyway, you did that fabric good. Fabulous outfit.

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  24. Ohmy... that's really a sophisticated look!

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  25. WOW, Debi! Amazing use of the teal plaid! The skirt is wonderful and you look gorgeous in it!

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  26. Love your outfit! That skirt is gorgeous, I adore tweed.

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  27. Very cute! I love the whole outfit. My sewing plans? I've been having fun sewing summer dresses and I have several more of those planned. It's what I really want to do but it's August so I need to try to start thinking about autumn.

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  28. i love love love that tweed! totally jealous you scored that at the thrift (or just the fact that you scored it at all - it's definitely worth whatever the original pre-thrift price was!). the colors are amazing, and the top & skirt go perfectly. loveeeee so much.

    man, i'm so excited to start sewing for autumn/winter. i need to put together an ~inspiration board or something. i know i want to make my leopard jacket, and a wool tweed circle skirt. a red corduroy rooibos, a wool crepe ceylon (no idea what color yet, maybe something jewel-toned?). i also want to make a winter parfait, but idk the fabric. i do have some navy corduroy. oh and i want to make high-waisted wide-legged jeans! and a vest! haha i think i have way too much on my plate :)

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  29. Very "sexy secretary." You look best in jewel tones to me -- that turquoise blouse is very flattering to your skin and hair. Love the plaid skirt, too. Think of all you'll be able to wear it with: white, cream, black, any number of blues. And you can do a subdued print too -- paisley would be another very Scottish option. A ruffled jabot blousd with circular ruffled cuffs, under a black vest or cardigan?

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  30. I love teal! The skirt came out great! I would love to see it next time with the deep pockets!

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  31. This is one of my favorite outfits yet! I LOVE the teal color, and the skirt matches perfectly. May I please borrow the outfit to wear to work? (hee hee) Or better yet, maybe I'll steal your idea and make a similar version of my own. Great work!!!

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  32. This is terribly gorgeous Debi! I love the wool and paired with your Pendrell is the recipe for chic and classic sophistication! I love this so so much! I do believe this is one of my favorites that you've made so far! Totally stunning and fits you like a glove - a definite plus with it comes to pencil skirts! Lovely! xoxo, Sunni

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  33. Oh WOW ! What a fabulous ensemble !! And to think you made it yourself ! What a clever lady kx

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  34. Your outfit is beautiful! Such gorgeous colours. It looks really sharp! You did a wonderful job.

    I want to whip up a pair of denim shorts this week, now that I've got a fantastic shorts pattern to use. For autumn, I have some plum coloured wool and a 1930s repro jacket pattern. Should be interesting. :)

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  35. Mrs. Peacock, in the library, with the killer skirt. Seriously, this is fab, and combined with that lipstick, my fav color combo. Those frames, too! I have a few of my dad's, and really want to get my script in them. The center back is just fine... sometimes you just need to let it go. I plan on making a few more pencil skirts, my delayed Rooibos, a blouse or three from the stash/upcycling, and, the trench coat I've only been talking about making for a year now. If I'm smart like you, I'll choose a cohesive set of textiles for a change.

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  36. I absolutely adore this skirt!! The colors are fabulous and you look wonderful!

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  37. Wow the skirt is simply gorgeous love the fabric and the blouse is beautiful you look stunning x

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  38. I love this skirt. Everything about it.

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  39. From top to toe you look simply amazing, I love this outfit :-D

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  40. Debi this skirt it's so flattening . Beautiful.

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  41. Such a wonderful, quirky fabric. I love the colour combination - how the black and white make the teal a tad more understated and sophisticated without losing the effect of that most wonderful colour (which, by the way, is an excellent choice for your autumn wardrobe). The skirt is perfect for the fabric - made to be. I adore this outfit. Fabulous all over!

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  42. ~ * ♥ * ~

    Amazing Debi ~ I love your whole outfit, but that teal plaid is to die for! It's sooo pretty! You did a fantastic job on the skirt too, it looks really sharp. : )

    xox,
    bonita of Depict This!
    ~ * ♥ * ~

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  43. I can't get over how cute you look in this sweet outfit. Love the skirt and of course that blouse inspired me to go 'Teal' myself and I got some teal wool for a skirt I'm going to make from a vintage pattern, more about that later on my blog. The photos are just stunning with the colors and the backdrop!
    I'm in the process of making my black velvet bolero right now. I'm headed now to the lining of red satin. Nan

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  44. Hot Mama!!!! You look so good! I love that outfit! I've seen something like that pack before at a charity shop, but it must have been more than £4 or else I would have nabbed it! I can't wait for the giveaway!!! I am totally in love with wool and you can't go wrong with a pencil skirt. xx

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  45. Both you and the skirt are beautiful Debi! I love the fabric and it goes so well with your Pendrell. I also think your idea of a black blouse with a peter pan collar will go with it perfectly!

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  46. OMGILOVEITALL! Your hair, your shirt, the TWEED, the shape of the skirt - it is all so very lovely. And those glasses are brilliant! The colors are so pretty on you and I think a black blouse would be stunning. I think if I ever went in your closet, I would pass out from the sheer brilliance and GORGEOUSNESS of it all! Lovely work, my friend!

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  47. Debi it's marvelous!! I love the skirt, love it with the Pendrell, LOVE the tweed and the colors...love the whole thing!! So sad that the mill burned down, but lovely that you could make something sort of in honor of it. :)

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  48. Lovely! Totally in love with this amazing fabric and your photos so fabulous! The color of the blouse is perfect for this skirt, what a beautiful outfit.

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  49. Awesome find, the colours really are fabby :)

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  50. I love how it turned out, sweetie. You did an excellent job!

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  51. This might just be my favourite outfit yet. Love the whole thing and it suits you so well.

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  52. Wow, I really admired your blue Pendrell anyway, but it looks perfect with that skirt. Gorgeous outfit.

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  53. I love this outfit! The skirt turned out perfect, I agree, the fabric is really special, and the fit is spot on. The blouse is gorgeous, and suits you so well. Got to check out the Pendrell again!

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  54. You are very clever! I love the B&B - that shot looks so classic! And the librarian glasses suit the outfit down to a tee!
    Tikkitiboo + Ahka Vintage
    Enter our $200 Giveaway Here!

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  55. I adore tweed and black cats as well!
    Lovely blog

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  56. Daaaamn you've got some wicked style, girl. This goes into my inspiration file...

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  57. I love it. Great colors, and the silhouette is very flattering.

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I read each and every comment--thank you so much!

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