Project MyWay #19–Donna Karan Knock-off, Peau de Soie Blouse and Crepe Skirt

 

 

I needed something to wear to a wedding, on a week night, in the city. It took some thinking;I didn’t want to wear a dressy dress or suit like I might to a weekend wedding, I’d feel over dressed. I thought about making a wool jersey dress, but it didn’t seem festive enough for the occasion. I finally decided that the Donna Karan cobalt blouse and black skirt that I showed you in “Fall Wardrobe ’08–Part 4” would be perfect. I dressed it up with the sexy Kate Spade sandals I showed you in “Fall Shoes and Boots” and some sparkly earrings. The outfit was a big hit and I got lots of compliments…”you made THAT!?!” I love wearing things that others would never find in a store (unless you have an exta coupe of $grand$ and you can buy the Donna Karan outfit, but how fun would that be?)!

 

 

 

 

The blouse is a mixture of Simplicity 4487 (the fronts and back) and McCall’s 4922 (the cuff and I redesigned the sleeve by adding fullness at the bottom edge):

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had this absolutely gorgeous cobalt blue silk Peau de Soie fabric in my stash—I believe it was about $50/yard several years ago, so I had to be careful planning and cutting. This fabric is so tightly woven and silk is so strong that it dulled my scissors cutting it out.

 

I cut off the overlap for the buttons and buttonholes so the blouse meets at the center front and it closes with hooks and eyes on the inside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I cut a new collar, using a collar from another pattern as a guide. I used the French cuff from the McCall’s pattern and made a covered button to close it. The blouse looks good un-tucked too, it has slits at the side seams and is very nicely fitted, almost like a jacket.

 

For the skirt I used black wool crepe and a favorite old straight skirt pattern. Straight (or pencil) skirts are most flattering when they taper a little at the hem. This one is fully lined with a kick pleat at the center back.

 

I sewed the waist band on to the upper edge, then inserted the invisible zipper, then folded the waistband to the inside and stitched it down. I like the nice clean finish (no hook and eye needed!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ta-ta for now!