The £4 suit, because I'm super classy and stuff!

Okay so I'll start by saying that I found this wool for £4 in a charity shop! There was roughly two metres so I immediately snapped it up. And yes it's proper wool, I did a burn test when I got home and stunk the kitchen out! 

(Please excuse, the terrible posing, bad lighting, grumpy face and crazy hair day I'm having! 

The pattern for the suit jacket came from simplicity k1699 , or at least I think it did? I'm pretty certain? And the skirt pattern came from the second great British sewing bee book, but I added the waistband from my clemence skirt from love at first stitch. 

Okay so let's start with the jacket, the back centre seam has a slight curve for fit (that or I cut it super wonky) and the sleeve has a cute tuck/pleat detail that I couldn't get my head around so I made it up! But it still works so bonus! 

The style is a meet in the middle type jacket? But I always tend to think of them as Chanel jackets! 

I didn't line the jacket (from what I can remember the instructions don't call for it) but I did draft my own facing for the front neck/front/collar area (yeah, drafted my own, LIKE.A.BOSS) and I top stitched my seams down to stop them fraying. I'm not sure if this is an actual method of finishing your seams or a made up Frankie method, but it works so I like it! 

I love the jacket the only change I'd make in the future is to narrow the shoulders , I've been told before that I have no shoulders (yeah I was surprised too, I mean I'm sure my arms hang from something) but I think making the shoulders more narrow should help. 

Next the skirt, as I've already said its a gbsb pencil skirt and I'm gonna say it! Hands down the BEST fitting item I have ever made! EVER! To the point where I wish the zip had an extra inch because the noises I make when I shimmy into this bad boy are not attractive at all! (Note to self: reusing zips, not always the best option) 

Please excuse the crease, I'm taking a break from ironing this week/month/year/life. I also top stitched these seams and lined the waistband with a pretty floral cotton, I skipped the interfacing because the wool was pretty bulky as is. 

It's also a wee bit shorter than other skirts I've made due to lack of fabric, that also explains my complete disregard for pattern matching and I skipped the back vent because I still can get my head around it and life's too short! 

So do I love it? 

YES! I made a £4 suit! I mean seriously! The jackets great , I made a wearable jacket! A jacket I can wear outside! And the skirt is just amazing fit wise! (Strange noises aside) I love the entire look together and as separates! But as a suit it definitely makes me feel like one of those saucy secretary's from the 1950s! I feel like i should have a martini and seduce the boss! 

"Any paper work need doing today?"

Much love

Frankie

Xxx

First ever trousers!

I should probably mention this is the third time I've tried to write this post! 

Anyway after being inspired by the great British sewing bee, I decided to try and make trousers. 

I've never made trousers before, pjs yes but I generally don't wear them outside of the house, unless you count that time we all had to flu and I have to do a midnight run to tesco to pick up medicine and on that occasion I was just glad that I didn't collapse in the aisle. 

But anyway here's my effort! I used the free pattern from sew magazines January issue it's simplicity k1699. 

To be honest I'm not sure about them, I can't decide if I look fabulously retro or like a 70 year old woman on a cruise, (before she finished the sherry and tries to seduce the captain)

I think I prefer them rolled up? It seems more youthful? 

Alterations wise I took a 1cm of each side seam for a better fit and did nothing with the crotch area (giggles) as it all seemed to fit quite well and I didn't want to ruin it by trying to make it better. 

Another change I made was to do a back zip instead of a side zip. My side zip wasn't really working and I only had a black one to hand. 

All in all I think they are okay apart from the fabric. I used a rose coloured cotton that I inherited in my grandmas stash. I kind if like the colour (maybe I wish it was a lil darker?) but it creases like no ones business! Seriously sat down for ten minutes and suddenly my backside has more wrinkles than a pugs face! 

So all in all I think I like them (and momma and poppa Knitwit think they are cool) I am not however looking forward to ironing them! 

Much love

Frankie

Xxx