Category: simplicitybyme

Dauntless skirt

~ velosews ~ Leave a comment

I’ve finally, finally, finally made the 1960s pencil skirt for my Dauntless jacket (Burda 7140).

I’m so glad I made this skirt, just in time for Winter.

After making this skirt 3 times, it was fitting that this skirt is number ‘four’.

These are the initial 3 skirts. Simplicity 2154 is adaptable with different woven fabrics.

I’ve really love this 1960s pencil skirt (Simplicity 2154) because it’s so versatile.

The back view.

These fabrics for this outfit are from Minerva Crafts UK.

The original fabrics and notions from Minerva Crafts UK.

The wool fabric is a stretch woven so it’s wonderful for wearing in the office. 
Comfortable; lots of movement; easy to iron; doesn’t crease much.
It’s also lined so this skirt will keep its shape for a long time.

I’ve changed the brightness of this photo so you can see the additional pockets.

These pockets make this skirt more work friendly for carrying keys or coins to buy coffee with.

The skirt construction method is on this previous vintage retro blog post.

The waistband doesn’t cut into me so I can wear this skirt all day long.
Getting the back vent right is easy with these pattern instructions.

This Winter I’ve got some fun suit choices.

This is going to be my ‘go-to’ suit for Winter.
Stay warm this Winter.

Spring surprise: Vicki’s choice

~ velosews ~ Leave a comment

I love for John Kaldor fabrics. Vicki (Minerva Crafts UK) recently brought in some new prints for Spring and she surprised me by supplying me this awesome print. 

We have still had some lovely warm days here and this such an awesome fabric to sew and wear. It doesn’t crease. It’s such a lovely microfibre fabric.

This Simplicity pattern (7156) has been used before and I love it because it offers a number of bodice and dress length variations, so it was value for money when I bought it and it just keeps giving. 


Our weather is so humid, a loose day dress like this works well for me. This time I’ve sewn a midi length dress.


Print placement
I put a bit of effort in placing the print the right way on the front dress to suit me.
This took a little bit of thought and it has paid off.

I do love these dark colours! And the fabric doesn’t crease.


Technical details
– The seam allowances are overlocked. 
– I’ve used an invisible zipper.
– Bias binding has replaced the sleeve facings.
– I’ve kept the neckline facings.

The back ties make this dress a bit more fitted if you want it that way.

Skirt alterations
The skirt shape was adjusted for my sway back and curves at the time and while I’ve gone down a size, my shape is the same – curvy.

Most weekends I’m a jeans/shorts type of person but when there’s a lunch or afternoon tea to go to, a pretty dress like this fits the bill.

This John Kaldor fabric doesn’t need to be lined. It has a lovely weight to it, falls nicely and doesn’t crease! Oh. I’ve already said that. So really this fabric is perfect for travel too:)

I have a wee bit of this fabric left for a future project too.

Thanks again Minerva Crafts UK.