It’s always challenging to take photos outside in the Chicago winters, but I have to say today’s outfit was surprisingly warm (except for my feet and hands). I was wrapped in yummy wool so I was able to stay warmer than usual.
I love that I feel put together (for once) in vintage goodness from head to toe now that I have some sweet little shoes for my size 4 mini feet.
In a shopping excursion with Tasha, she spied these green and brown shoes for me.
I was really debating not getting them, but she really made me see that I needed them (which I did!) Then, I had no idea what I was going to wear with them when Ms. Tasha reminded me later that day that I was knitting up a green bobble jumper that would match. heh Can you tell I get a bit absent-minded when I shop?! (I do get overwhelmed easily now when shopping… but that’s a story for a different day).
This green bobble jumper is my new favorite hand knit of mine. It’s cozy, warm and is comfortable. I’m not 100% on the fit as you can see a bit of wrinkles near my underarms, but it’s pretty decent. I could have knit this a bit more snug at the bust, but I’m hoping I can block it a bit smaller the next time I go to wash it.
I changed up the collar as well as the pocket and button band vs. the original pattern.
I’m not a huge fan of ribbing, so I swapped out the ribbing bits with a garter stitch when I could. The button band was done in garter stitch (knit every row), the pocket was a mix of stockinette and ribbing at the top, while the collar was entirely different than the pattern.
I didn’t really care for the ribbed look and how long and pointed the collar was. So I attempted a tie collar instead, which also wasn’t quite right. For my third attempt at the collar I just decided to make the same collar as the Briar Rose Jumper since I love it.
I knit the collar a bit longer than the Briar Rose one since I wanted it to come up a bit higher on my neck before folding down onto the jumper. (Does that make sense?)
Given the fact that this skirt is very high-waisted, I could have knit this jumper a bit shorter than I did. But I knit it longer than the pattern stipulated (by about an inch or so) because I wanted more options to wear this with. I have a few vintage knits that are just to short to wear with any old skirt which is too bad. So I wanted to be able to wear this with anything.
Which brings me to my skirt…
This is the Butterick 1056 skirt that I just mentioned last Thursday. I’ve only worn it just the once, here in the images, but it’s already one of my favorite skirts. It’s flattering on me (I think it is anyhow…), it’s high-waisted yet comfortable and has the most fun pockets ever and a center front (and back) box pleat for walking ease.
What’s funny is that when I went to cut out my fabric, I went and added some additional fabric to the side seams of the skirt since I needed a bit more room after I had measured the pattern pieces.
Well… after stitching it all up, I went and removed exactly the amounts that I had added!
I measure my waist and hips for every project (just in case) and I currently have a 30″ waist. So I added fabric to the side seams to get me there for this skirt which measured as a 27″ waist. Yet I removed all of my additional seam allowances which makes this skirt’s waist a 27″. My mind continues to be boggled about this since know I don’t have a 3″ negative ease.
Do you see I’m officially sporting my new frames?!
Here’s a detail of the fun, patch pockets.
And again showing the waistband with belt carriers:
I can’t wait to wear this skirt with tucked in blouse and a contrasting belt! I mentioned last week that I want to make many more of these skirts, and I dearly want to. But I sadly think I’m going to hold off. I have a ton of summer skirts and at the moment I’m not sure what color/fabric of skirt that I may still need. So I’m going to have some restraint and not make another one of these until I identify a gap in my wardrobe. :|
I know this outfit isn’t as grand as my Macaron dress, but I’m really in love with this casual outfit. As I’ve started to sew more and more of my own vintage wardrobe, I have a tendency to lean towards fancier dresses. This means that most of my 40’s garments are indeed a bit to nice for the weekend outing, but this skirt fits the bill for casual, weekend-wear. *Wooot*
Hope you all had a great weekend, too.
gorgeous outfit – that colour really suits you! and those shoes are fab. well done tasha!
Oh my, what a fabulous outfit! I love that skirt. Can I ask how you do your hair like that? I’ve recently had mine cut and I’m struggling to create a style just like that. Thanks!
Hey Miss Winter. :) I just hopped on your blog and I love your new ‘do! It’s very fresh, just in time for spring.
I learnt how to curl my hair from Tasha’s sponge roller tutorial. But I brush my curls out a bit different than Tasha does. But once you curl it a few times, it’ll be easier to see how your hair behaves and what kinds of brushing will give you the style you want.
I’m no expert at styling my hair since I’m still quite a newbie, but her tutorial is a great starting place.
This is a really beautiful wearable outfit! I also have the problem that I want to sew beautiful, complicated dresses, but then when am I going to wear them? I really need to start on seperates, the sewing process might be less exciting but it’ll be rewarding to have comfortable, casual vintage inspired garments (that I actually wear).
The green of the sweater really suits you, and the pockets are my favorite part! I think they add a bit of soft but sculpted elegance to the clear lines of the skirt. And I love your hair and glasses!
Thanks so much Nina! When I was making my skirt (after laboring on my Macaron dress for so long) I was finding that I was having quite a bit of FUN constructing my skirt and sewing on the patterns.
There’s really something to be said about making an easier project in between difficult ones.
I adore this outfit! You look like such a 40s bombshell! That skirt is amazing- I especially love the pleats! I always want to make more than one of all my favourite sewn garments too- well done for the restraint!
I also always lengthen my vintage knits for the same reason as you :o)
Thanks for a nice Monday read!
Xx
Aww thanks Ami. You’re too sweet. No one has ever called me a bombshell before! :)
The whole outfit is fantastic! Just gorgeous. The shoes are a genius.
It might not be as “grand” as the macaron dress, but honestly this is what making your own clothes is all about (in my opinion). This is great. I love the skirt, and the sweater too. You look very casual work chic
What a fabulous outfit Liz- it looks great! I especially love the pockets on the skirt. Gosh, I wish my sewing projects ended up with me cutting out extra at the waist! ;) Such a lovely flattering outfit – Well Done!
So cute!!! The sweater and skirt go so well together, and the shoes really make it :)
Look fabulous! I absolutely *love* that skirt. I am going to have to hunt down the pattern!! I love fancy and fun dresses, but sometimes you have work on everyday stuff, but double yay when they come out as cute as these did! And the shoes are awesome, just perfect for the whole outfit :) Great job!
Thanks Maggie! If you can’t find a similar skirt pattern, be sure to keep an eye out for a dress pattern. This style of skirt was very common and you could always hack a dress pattern to make a skirt out of it.
While I love your Macaron and it’s an insanely impressive sewing feat, I adore this outfit because both pieces are so perfect in their versatility and think of how much wear you’ll get out of both! And seriously, could those shoes match better?!! I am sooo glad I looked down to spy them! :D
This outfit really is just *super* on you, I love it with your hair and glasses and all. The skirt is just perfection with that jumper. You know how I said it was making me want to sew a version with the skirt pieces of the dress pattern I have with a box pleat front? I recently ordered a 40s suit pattern (in case I ever get a bug to do a more tailored jacket.. oy, slippery slope I know but I figured those patterns aren’t that easy to find… lol), but until it arrived Saturday I completely missed the fact that the accompanying skirt pattern has a box pleat in the front! Yahoo. :)
Thanks so much Tasha! I had such fun shopping with you and Mel.
I love the box pleats too! I pressed it so much that it stays closed really well. So you only see it when I’m walking and it’s such a nice surprise and makes it comfortable to walk around in. I bet you’ll see me in it next time we get together. :)
oh! the whole outfit is beautiful, and just as amazing as your last dress. Ok, maybe not as complicated, but the same care and attention to detail can be seen here. The skirt is very flattering and I just love it!! Tasha was right about those shoes–what a great find :)
It’s a good thing Tasha was there to assure you came home with those shoes. They’re magnificent! The whole outfit is, really. The jumper might be the perfect color, and the skirt is an exceptional pairing to complement and complete your look.
Tell me about it! I kept thinking… what am I going to wear with these?! And like a dummy I completely spaced out as to the fact that I was knitting a green jumper. *Head-face-palm* moment
This is a fantastic look for you!! With the vintage style hair and shoes you are taking us right back in time!!
I love (LOVE) your Macaroon dress, but this is pretty spectacular, too!
I love everything about this outfit! I just adore the sweater! And I’m so glad Tasha convinced you to get those shoes! The glasses are too perfect and the skirt is so flattering! An outfit of win!
It’s the perfect green you used for your jumper! The skirt is adorable and your shoes amazing! I also love your hair and glasses!
I think this outfit is just as grand as your Macaron dress. Who says it’s not? I’ll have words with them.
The whole look – the glasses, the skirt, the shoes – it all goes and looks really good. I only think that you could pull it off.
heh Thanks Maddie! You’re so sweet. :)
The outfit is fabulous! I agree, while the other dress was amazing, I prefer the practicality of this outfit. I’m stumped on the waistline problem. I was hoping someone would chime in on that!
GORGEOUS!!! :)
You look amazing! Love those colors, too!
YAYAYAYAY! I am so glad to see this marvelous sweater completed – your bobbles turned out beautifully :) I adore it paired with the skirt (which is so perfect on you), and THOSE SHOES. Yay Tasha for making you get them because they complete this ensemble so well! Wonderful work, my friend!
Liz: I’ve rarely seen anyone who embodies the spirit of the 40s quite like you. This manages to be so authentic – and yet not stuck in time. Beautiful work.
Thanks so much Kristin. This comment made my heart happy. :)
I looove this whole look!! So glad you bought those shoes – they are so perfect with the outfit, and with tiny feet like yours, it would have been a crying shame not to snatch those up! The skirt is a great flattering staple, and the green in the sweater is seriously a good color on you. Oh oh and I love your hair and your glasses. Sorry this comment is all over the place, I’m really excited can you tell :)
The whole outfit is wonderful! I love the little details and the overall look manages to be classic, tasteful, and flattering while not crossing the line to old, as some vintage looks unfortunately can.
Thanks so much Jennifer! I love vintage as you know, but I don’t like looking “costumey”; so this comment makes me happy to hear. :)
Oh wow! I love both the jumper and the skirt. When you first shared the jumper pattern it immediately went to my mental knitting queue – though I was planning to eliminate the bobbles. Now that I see the bobbles on your jumper, I’ve decided they must be part of the sweater as well. The skirt is fantastic, the pockets are a wonderful detail.
This truly is a well-put-together outfit and the shoes make it – gosh are they ever adorable. I can’t believe you needed Tasha to convince you to buy them (way to go Tasha).
Oh yes! It needs the bobbles. They’re really fun, and apparently on trend right now. heh I saw a great bobble tutorial on pinterest and added it to my favs. I wish I had seen it before making this jumper. So if you’re making this anytime in the future be sure to check it out.
Love this outfit, the sweater turned out great! :)
This is probably my favorite outfit you’ve ever sewn!! That color green is gorgeous with your complexion and all the little details in the jumper are just amazing. I love, love, love the skirt (and your glasses and your shoes!)!! Tasha was right, you needed them in your life :) You’re just so cute!
Thanks so much Rochelle! I know this would have fit perfectly into your 40’s sew along, but I already had the jumper in the works and the skirt was made just to match the jumper… I felt bad about adding it into the flickr group since it wasn’t technically made for your sew along.
I’m still hoping I can squeeze in a project by the end of March and join in the fun.
That is the cutest outfit! I love the style of the skirt!! The shoes are perfect!
This is such a gorgeous sweater — and skirt! I think you’ll get tons of wear out of both, because they seem so versatile. Plus. that shade of green is YOU.
The sweater is gorgeous. Just love the tone and shade of the green wool. The skirt is great and the shoes are just fantastic…I want some of those! Awesome 40s-style outfit. Excellent.
Oh my gosh the shoes!! And everything else :D I’m most envious of the knit. Looks so warm and cozy and I love a cropped sweater!
Oh wow, amazing! You honestly look like you just stepped out of a 1940’s catalog! Both makes are super cute, and, as always, I’m jealous of your knitting and sewing super skills!
It looks very stylish! And even if it doesn’t have the “wow” factor of the Macaron, it looks like the sort of outfit that can get a lot of use, both as separate pieces and together. And sometimes that’s even better than the super-fancy wow pieces. :)
You looks so cute and retro! The skirt and the sweater are both so classic but interesting. Sure, they’re not as glamorous as your amazing Macaron, but these are the sorts of clothes you will wear all the time!
PLEASE do a hair tutorial for this hairstyle. It looks wonderful…
Great skirt.
Wow, I love this outfit, so regal! Both pieces are so lovely, but I really admire your work on the sweater! I have knited a few scraves and even 3/4 of a sweater, but what I really want to knit is a 50’s sweater like yours. I would very much like to try knitting my own jumper like you… do you have any suggestions of patterns or tutorials that could help me achieve my goal?
On the waist issue: have you measured the *actual* waist pieces on the pattern and the actual waistband on the skirt… and is it actually 27″?
Oh yes! I measured the pattern itself instead of just looking at the pattern envelope. That’s why I’m so boggled. The only think I can guess is that the top of the skirt (pre waistband) stretched a bit as I was trying it on and fitting it.
Oh my gosh! Those shoes!!! What a perfect outfit!
You look wonderful. I really like the changes you have made to the jumper, as I am looking into making this in due course, your notes were super helpful. Your skirt is fabulous and the pocket detail is lovely. What a perfect 40s styled outfit.
Whilst Tasha is obviously an enabler, I think she was right on the money and you must be glad you listened – those shoes are just perfect!
Wow, that ensemble looks amazing on you!!!
And am sooo envious of your shoes, they are absolutely stunning and match the outfit so well!
M.
Now I can’t seem to leave your blog. This outfit in particular is so fantastic! You are stunning in it, just stunning. Fantastic job Liz! Wowza.
That’s terribly kind of you to say! Best compliment ever is that you can’t leave my blog!!! :)