Kwik Sew 3658 (top) & 3003 (skirt)

I’m ready for back to school. Too bad I have no class! LOL

But seriously what says fall more than a cute plaid skirt with a top to match? So easy and quick to make too.

I’ll start with the top: I bought this pattern during the Fabric.com sale this spring with the intention of making the dress version. Now that I’ve seen myself in the top version I’m reconsidering that idea. I don’t think a big expanse of clingy knit across my most troublesome area is a good idea, even with the miracle of Spanxx. But as a top I love it. I have an almost identical top in a heavier purple interlock that I bought somewhere in the last couple of years (how’s that for specifics) and when I saw this pattern I thought, hey I can make that. So I did.

The pattern couldn’t me simpler, three pieces, no interfacing. I sewed all but one seam on the serger and hemmed it with a narrow coverstitch. Overall a couple hours work. Now that I have the pattern traced, next time it will be about 20 minutes faster. I swear if I cut out internet breaks I could make it in 45 minutes.

Now for the skirt: Even easier. I made this entire thing in about an hour or less last night before dinner. It is a basic bias-cut, elastic waist, pull-on skirt. I cut the front piece, flipped it over and matched up the plaids and cut the back. Then all I had to do was seam the sides (4-thread overlock), finish the top and bottom edges, put in the elastic and top stitch the casing down and hem. I did cut about 2” off the bottom before hemming to get the length I liked. The fabric is some “suiting” fabric (don’t you love how specific they are at Joann’s?) I picked up on sale and it has some stretch to it. I was going to make a more tapered pencil silhouette with it but decided for quick and easy. I think this A-line is flattering on me and I love comfortable, easy to wear clothes with a bit of style, I think this outfit fits that bill perfectly.

I bought these basic black pumps yesterday at DSW. They are a good heel height for work and they have a lot of cushioning in the foot to make them easy to wear all day. And as you can see, they show off the new ink very nicely. I think when the weather gets cold, my black leather boots will also look good with this outfit.