WhatIWore: Greetings from sunny Florida! Today I’m really excited to show you my first self made look for this trip from the mini collection I created last week! Let me tell you a little more about it…

When: March 13, 2016

What:
Shades: ZeroUV
Top and Skirt: Self Made
Sandals: Clark’s

Where: Dinner at a beachside restaurant

The fabric is actually from the upholstery section and it’s definitely heavier than your average apparel weight fabric, but it has a nice hand to it and I like the body it gives to my circle skirt. If you’re search for it, the official name is ‘Las Palms’ by Nate Berkus from JoAnn’s. I skipped a pre-wash and it’s probably the kind of garment I would have dry cleaned vs. throwing in the washing machine. I also had precious little yardage (in fact, I went back twice to get more!) so I didn’t want to deal with shrinkage. The salvage says it’s dirt resistant (it is intended for furniture after all) so I’ll report back to you on that one! 

The top was sewn from Simplicity 1371 by Cynthia Rowley. I made a slight alteration in cutting the center front (on the fold rather than in two pieces) and I didn’t do the ruffley thing they have on the pattern cover. I made a size 14 (sewing patterns sizes run different from ready to wear!) It fit great without any alterations! I lined the top with a cute white on white polka dot I had laying around. 

On bottom I made a simple circle skirt and cut it as long as my fabric would allow. The waist band is an easy straight cut piece of fabric that laps in back to button.  (I used some vintage buttons I had in my stash on both the top and skirt!) 

To accessorize I kept it really simple - some super retro cat eye sunglasses (they remind me of Barbie!) and a neutral pair of sandals. 

I like how these two pieces almost look like a dress but can be worn interchangeably with other shorts and tops too. More than anything I love the print! I’m really looking forward to wearing both all summer long!