This is actually a make from the end of 2013 – I made it up quickly just in time for the Bay Area sewcialist meetup! And I’ll make another admission while I’m at it…this isn’t even my first Lady Skater. I never blogged about the first one because I made a poor fabric choice, it stretched so much it wasn’t funny and didn’t stretch back, and consequently is now in the bin. C’est la vie.

So, the pattern is the ever popular Lady Skater by Kitschy Coo, in a straight size 14. I shortened the bodice by 2″, and I still think it could stand to be shortened a tiny bit more – the weight of the skirt pulls the waist to just below my natural waist (in this fabric, anyway). The sleeves are too long (a recurring problem of mine), but if I fold the cuffs back, they work. I’ll definitely shorten them next time.

The fabric is a nautical-themed knit from Girl Charlee that they don’t seem to stock any more – the anchors are silver and red dots are actually little boat tillers. It’s one of the better quality knits I’ve bought from Girl Charlee, in that it’s quite soft but not too thin and curly when I stretch it. On the whole, though, I’m generally disappointed by my purchases there, and probably won’t be making any more in the future.

Construction was fairly simple – I used knit stay tape instead of clear elastic to stabilise the shoulder and waist. I used clear elastic from Joann’s the first time round, and that stuff is god awful. It stretched while I sewed it no matter how hard I tried, my needle didn’t like puncturing it, and it felt horrible and scratchy against my tummy when I wore the dress. Ugh. I can highly recommend the knit tape, it was super easy to use and made sewing the seams a dream. I hemmed the skirt with my twin needle and two different coloured threads, because I’m classy like that.

In case you were wondering, these photos were taken at the San Francisco Zoo on Christmas Day. A bit of a change from my usual roof backdrop! It was quite nerve-wracking taking outfit photos in a public place, but I tried my best not to let it bother me. I wear this dress ALL the time – it’s so comfortable, and looks good, too! I have some more knit fabric with fawns on it (FAWNS!) that I’m planning to make another with. Please look forward to it!