Pinterest (inspiration), Cowl Neck Blouse and a Gore Skirt

The photo below was on Pinterest and it inspired me to create the skirt and the blouse.   

 

Fabrics: knit - animal print and white stretch gabardine fabric from my stash. Camouflage white and pink medium weight cotton knit fabric was  bought in Brooklyn, NY on a fabric extravaganza trip with my sewing sister Sheila.  Notions: pinking shears, and cotton and polyester thread and a white zipper.     

Construction & Sewing: The white skirt was self-drafted using my TNT skirt pattern. It’s an eight panel gore skirt. I did not try the skirt on during the construction because I’ve sewn many skirts and my TNT work like a charm. Well, surprise, surprise, the skirt was too big. I took in ¼ inch at  all the seam except for the center back seam where the zipper was inserted. I removed two inches from the waistband. I did not bother to try it on until today.                                                                                                                                                                                             The Cowl neck Blouse: you can find the pattern here . This is one of my favorite websites for free patterns.                                                                                                                                         Alterations: short back adjustment, two inches was removed from the middle back, ½- inch slope shoulder adjustment and one inch was removed from the hem.                                                        Note: this pattern works best with a knit that had a lot of drape.  I will not recommend a thin and vey light knit. Medium weight cotton knit the cowl neck does not drape softly.                                       This video tutorial was very helpful. After watching the tutorial I added a self-facing to the front of the blouse and a back facing.  The blogger who did the tutorial has a lot to offer, especially for beginners.                                                                                                                                             The young lady in this video inspired me to cut up my TNT skirt pattern to make a gore skirt . I know you may not see the connection, oh well that is how my brain work. One more skirt and maybe two more tops coming soon! Enjoy