Liberty Liquorice~ McCalls 2353 OOP

Zara had her first work placement and requested a new outfit.
Something snappy but fun, elegant but easy to move in.

I suggested a Liberty blouse and spread the ones I had out for her to  look at (by FaceTime) she replied she liked ALL the Capels and may she have a patchwork one?

The pattern is McCalls 2353, OOP but still readily available on eBay.
This was my go-to pattern in my 20-30's when I still had a small waist.

I have made it several times before and Zara had them in town to try so I knew it would fit.

Zara chose the placement of the colours.

I wouldn't have mixed the two pinks together but when you are 18 and fabulous, why not?

The colours don't work but they do.

~Alterations~
# Size 8 with a cm trimmed from the body shoulders tapered down to the front and back sleeve notches. 
# A cm trimmed from the sleeve cap.
#Added 2 cm to the hip tapering up to the waist for bottom ease.
# Narrowed the seam from the elbow down due to lack of fabric, one wrist pleat instead of two.
# Added two inches to the hem, front and back.
# Added a 2 cm back vent for ease.
# Swopped self facing to a double fold front band no interfacing in band.
# Sewed the sleeve cap with a 4/8ths seam for extra ease.
# Sewed the sleeve seam with 4/8ths seam due to lack of fabric.
# Sewed the rest of the shirt with 5/8ths seam.
# Forgot (but should have) clipped the underarm seam before neatening for extra movement.

The skirt is Lekala #4335

I ordered the pattern purely on her measurements and finished it up to the side seams, so I could fit it on the weekend, when she came home.

It fitted perfectly!

Zara has a tiny waist so there was a lot or ease to try and sew in between the skirt and the yoke but it worked.

It is a very cute skirt and she is getting a lot of wear from it.
The only changes I made was to add belt loops.

~Zara's Verdict~
When I found out that I had my first work placement at a school, for my teaching degree at Uni, one of my first thoughts was what was I going to wear.
This lead to mum and I excitedly exchanging text messages with ideas of colours and patterns that could work.
A Liberty shirt and black skirt was the end result.
It was exactly what I pictured.
This is my first Liberty shirt and I am absolutely in love with it!
The quality is amazing and the fit is perfect. The Lekala skirt is even better than I could imagine. I'm utterly obsessed with it, it's so versatile. I can wear a shirt, t-shirt or jumper with it and it looks amazing.
Once again, thank you Mum Xxx.

Thank you Zara, that was lovely, miss you!


Thank you for reading xx Nicole