TUTORIAL

Top: Anthropologie (on sale!) | Skirt: made by me, lace c/o Michael Levine (see tutorial below, similar skirt here) | Shoes: Enzo Angiolini (on sale during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale) | Clutch: Melie Bianco c/o (out of stock, similar style) | Watch: Arvo c/o | Sunglasses: Lulu's c/o (out of stock, similar style) | Bracelets: Danielle Stevens c/o | Earrings: Gorjana Griffith (sold out, but similar here)

I picked up this lace at Michael Levine and have been on the hunt for the perfect piece to compliment it. I'm not sure if the photos depict quite how intricate and delicate it is, and I feel the need to explain the bond this lace and I share. The day I went home with it, my mom and I stopped by Rodeo Drive to window shop. We were in Michael Kors and the front mannequin was wearing a dress out of this exact fabric. I racked my brain on what to make with it and, like most luxurious fabrics, I decided it would be best as a pencil skirt. It wasn't until I came face to face with this flutter sleeved top that I got my buns in gear. That top needed a soul mate, and that sole mate was this skirt.

The lace is a bit pricey, but after seeing the same amount of it on a $500 dress, the fabric gives you the same look for far less. Lets make it, shall we? Click below for the tutorial...

Materials:

1 yard of lace (mine is from Michael Levine, find it here)
1 yard of matching woven (no stretch) lightweight fabric (*fun fact: I used the fabric left over from the curtains in my boys room for my skirt lining. cool? weird? probably both)
matching thread
metal zipper (any zipper will do, I think an exposed metal zipper adds a cool element to the skirt)
pencil skirt made from woven fabric that fits you well

Step 1:
Lay a pencil skirt that you already own (made from woven fabric. Make sure it isn't stretchy!) on top of your fabric or pattern paper and trace around leaving a 1/2" seam allowance on the top and sides. Cut 1 out of your lace fabric and 1 out of your lining (the lace won't need to be hemmed, but cut your lining about 1 1/2" shorter). Flip your existing skirt around to the back, fold in half, and trace/cut around with 1/2" s.a. on the top and side, and 3/4" s.a on the back center. Trim back lining about 1 1/2" shorter as well. Serge/zigzag stitch all of your raw edges.

* I recommend always using pattern paper, and cutting a muslin first, especially with a fabric that doesn't have any stretch. This way you can make any adjustments you need before cutting into your real fabric.

Step 2:
Place lace fabric right sides together and stitch up the sides with 1/2" seam allowance. Do the same for the lining. Press the seams open with a warm iron (make sure to test the fabric!)

Step 3:
Hem around the bottom lining of your skirt about 1" depending on how short you want it.

Step 4:
Slide your lining skirt wrong side out down into the sequin skirt wrong side out. Stitch around the top of the waistband with 1/2" seam allowance.

Step 5:
Flip your skirt right side out so that the lining is now inside the skirt. Stitch around the top of the waistband as close to the edge as you can. This will keep the lining from moving up as you wear it. Press with a warm iron.

Step 6:
Place the right edge of your exposed zipper on top of the right center seam. Stitch lining, lace, and zipper with 3/4" s.a. Do the same to the left side and then press those seams open carefully and stitch across the bottom of the zipper.

Step 7:
Stitch the lace back center seam together with 1/2" s.a., then the lining separately. Stop 3-5" below the bottom and fold back 1/4" per side if you would like to add a slit.

Labels: casual, dressy, lookbook, tutorial