Last Summer Look (Sewaholic Rae)

After doing some complicated sewing, a simple \”true beginner\” project is a wonderful treat–I purchased the materials for this project, went for a run, took some blog photos, even traced the pattern, and still had this project done by dinner. That\’s a nice feeling, don\’t you think? Bonus: I love the result!

I got both the pattern and fabric for this little spur-of-the-moment project from Downtown Knits in Apex, NC. It\’s a little out of the way for me, but was over nearby to take these photos and stopped in to say hello after Nikki invited me via instagram. Honestly, I was so surprised I hadn\’t heard of them before considering they specialize in my two favorite things: sewing and tea! The majority of the store is dedicated to knitting, but they also have a little tea shop, a sewing classroom, and a small but very well-curated selection of fabric–including lots of Cotton + Steel! I picked up a yard and a half of the light blue colorway of the Rifle Paper floral on quilting-weight cotton, and the Sewaholic Rae skirt. I have a long history of putting this pattern into, then taking it out of, my Sewaholic shopping cart, but supporting a local business is a good excuse for pattern purchases, right? Right.

The reason I had decided against this pattern in the past is because it is so simple–an elastic waist skirt in two fullnesses and two lengths. This pattern was actually designed for a beginner sewing class setting–that\’s how easy it is! However, I knew that I would like the pattern and knew that even the simplest pattern would be worth it because I absolutely love Sewaholic. Sewaholic patterns are drafted for pears (oh hiii) and while obviously that doesn\’t matter so much for an elastic-waist a-line skirt, for other patterns it makes a huge difference, so I always feel confident sewing up a Sewaholic pattern as-is without making a muslin.

The shape of this skirt is so much more flattering than a regular gathered-waist skirt made with a rectangle, and it is SO easy to make. This is view B, the fuller of the two shorter skirts. From Sewaholic: \”View A is an above the knee skirt with a slightly full silhouette. View B is the same length as A but with more fullness, and View C is a knee-length version of view B.\” I love this length–it\’s flirty but not too mini (I\’m 5\’7\”)–but I want to try the longer one too! I also have lots of hack possibilities in mind–I\’ve already used this as the skirt on a my Helmi shirtdress and I think for my next Rae, I want to add pockets, and I\’ll try and give it a flat front waistband and keep the gathers in the back for a slightly more polished look but still super easy afternoon of sewing.

Do you prefer the challenge of a long, complicated project like a coat, or do you gravitate more towards projects you can get done in a few hours? I know some of y\’all have little kids… they tend to make that decision for you!

xoxo,