Burda Maxi with Simplicity 1366

The first week of school holidays is almost over and it has been marvelous! A little fabric shopping (or a lot!), a little sewing (or a lot!) and a bit of adventure (with some fabric and pattern book shopping!) - bliss! I feel like I've sewn enough this week to keep my blog active for the next school term and I haven't even made the work trousers I planned to make, or the wedding/frocktails frock, or my boucle jacket/cardigan. I have however, made a bunch of simple, gratifying items that really help build your basic wardrobe and lift your sew-jo. I'll hopefully photograph them for you shortly, but in the meantime, feel free to catch me on Instagram.

This ensemble was made during my two, precious kid free days that I have enjoyed these holidays. I try most holidays to organise two days - short days - without the kids, just so that I can relax and enjoy quiet time without being asked for food every two minutes or being told "I'm bored" or "Can I have something banned/inappropriate/dangerous?", etc. I feel like this kid free time is especially necessary given my day job - teaching other people's kids. This time does come at a cost though, but I feel that it is definitely worth the expense and I know that my kids enjoy the sport camp activities.

Anyway, this week I have made another Burda maxi train skirt 09/2014 #105 (train omitted) and a Simplicity 1366 top. Am I the last blogger to make this top???

Earlier this week I went to Pitt Trading with the kids to see their remnants and was not dissapointed. It's not often that I walk into a fabric store and buy many pieces, but I just couldn't help myself. This stain glass viscose/poly? fabric was destined to become a maxi skirt from the second I saw it and I didn't wait long to cut into it to make this.

I really like the Burda maxi train skirt pattern, which I used previously here. I love the straighter front panel and the super swishy back. This fabric is a little thinner than my last viscose twill and I plan to wear it with tights when the weather cools down, so drafted a semi lining to ensure it didn't grip to my tights.

I wore this into the city with the kids today and got quite a few compliments on my skirt, which naturally was awesome. Even the girl at the Fabric Store asked about it and told me she liked it. Considering all the Surry Hills fabric store workers appear to be aspiring fashion designers, I'm taking this as a significant compliment.

This top is my first real Simplicity 1366, which is a rather popular, drop shoulder, boxy, Cynthia Rowley pattern.

The fabric for this top is a super smooth and drapey viscose weave fabric that I picked up from My Hung in Paramatta late last year. It is so soft and thick, I just had to have it. I purchased a top and pant length in black, as well as white and orange in a top length. It was also priced really well - way less than $10pm - which really enticed me to buy it in all three colours available. Hopefully I'll be able to photograph the other colours for you soon so you can see the thick weave, which isn't visible in these photos.

I really like this outfit and I think it is really well suited to Autumn weather and my work. I can easily sit on the floor without worrying about splitting my pants or showing off my knickers.

I hope you have a fab weekend. I think we are destined for a little rest after today's big adventures.