Emerald City

The Summer months used to be a time when I would throw on some basketball shorts, a tank top, and a cap, and go about my life normally and without the same style I normally bring when I go out. I seeked to change that and made this piece as a Summer friendly garment

Overview and Process - The initial preparation for this piece helped it to come to life with as much ease as possible. I enjoyed finding all the elements that worked together to make the finished piece.

Step 1: Fabric Selection - I found the lace here online, as it is near impossible to find lace secondhand in the quantities or colours I needed. 

Step 2: Cutting the skirt - The circle skirt was the first pattern I cut out. I have a circle skirt pattern that I made years ago that I use for when I make my own skirts, to save on drafting paper use and not throw away as much paper

Step 3: Cut out top - The top is made with the off cuttings of the material, and the shape that it resulted in became my pattern piece for the facings. 

Step 4: Sew up the skirts and the top - I used my industrial sewing machine to stitch up the main seams of this skirt, as well as the top, and serged the edges of the material to prevent fraying down the line. This is the stage where I add in the zippers, and finish off with the waistband and buttons.

Step 5: Finish the skirt and top's facings - The facings help to add structure and weight to the garment, while also finishing it off nicely. I cut those from a complimenting fabric, and serged them to the bottom of the skirt. After pressing it all back to the inside, I stitched it to the main body of the garment by hand. This is the most time consuming part of the process, but is also very relaxing.

This piece fits a 34 waist, and is loose for the majority of the garment apart from the slip, which is fitted. The top is roughly 38 inches around the chest

• Wash and Dry in machine, on a gentle cycle if possible
• Fold or hang