8.14.2014

back to school

DSC_0025

Even though I've officially been finished with my education for seven years, this time of year will always make me think of going back to school. I swear, there's just something in the slight shift in the light that signals the end of sumer and with it the impending doom of a new school year! I know some people associate that 'back to school' feeling with excitement, but for me it always meant the return of stress and anxiety - juggling good grades with extracurricular activities and often more than one demeaning and depressing job (Lord, may I never again have to waitress at a chain restaurant where they make you stop what you're doing every 30 minutes to line dance in the aisles...) not to mention the social and emotional labyrinth that was being a teenager. Thankfully, the majority of this anxiety has abated as I've gotten older, got out of school, and just generally got on with life. But I still visit my high school in my anxiety-induced nightmares - you know the one... You forgot your locker combination, which is bad enough, but you can't even remember where your locker IS anymore, and come to think of it, it's the end of the semester and you don't think you've been to Calculus all year and surely you're failing, and where is your calculus classroom? Who's the teacher? Are you failing all your classes? Can you make up all the tests in one day?

Yeah. That one.

DSC_0005

But there was one thing I always loved about going back to school, and that was getting a brand new 'back to school outfit'. Complete with shoes. Definitely the silver lining to the whole 'back to school' thing. Somehow that new outfit could convince me that this year was gonna be different, better. With my new outfit I'd suddenly understand Physics, I'd get the lead in the school musical, I wouldn't feel the sting of the mean girls, and I'd maybe get to skip out of gym (ha!). Apparently I thought a new outfit could do a lot! Even as a poor art student I still scraped together my money to carry on the tradition of buying myself a new somethingsomething for the upcoming year. I hung all my hopes and goals and aspirations on that outfit.

DSC_0023

All this musing and tripping down memory lane has a point. I swear. True, it's a bit of an oblique point, but a point all the same. And the point is this: this outfit reminds me of a 'back to school' outfit. Okay, my skirt may not have passed dress code, but anytime I see gold paired with blue (bonus points if you throw in some cranberry red too) I'll always think of 'back to school'.  And you know, when I got dressed this morning, I still felt like today was gonna be a good day, because I was wearing some new duds. Of course that was before a hose leaked all down my back. Totally should've taken blog photos before I went in to work!

DSC_0013

Aaaanywho! This skirt probably needs no introduction. It's V1247  one of those beloved (by me) Rachel Comey patterns, which plenty of other sewistas have made up before me. A few of my favorites are Sophie's (here, and here) Heather's (here) and Carolyn's (whose made a few, but here's one, and here's another).  Every time this little skirt makes a show in my blogroll I'm always pleased to see it, and without fail I'll ask myself, "Self, why haven't you made that skirt yet?" I've made the top from V1247 (click on that link if you want a throwback! My hair!!) but never got around to making the skirt. After seeing Sophie's latest versions I decided enough was enough and it was time to right this pattern negligence wrong.

DSC_0016DSC_0002

It just so happens that I had this funky little palm tree print stretch cotton twill that I picked up with my Mood allowance sitting around, gathering dust, with no real plan for.  Nothing like pairing an overlooked pattern with an overlooked fabric! I just love giving these things a happy ending!  I cut the skirt in a size 10, which would have been a close fit if it wasn't for this fabric's stretch. As is, it's a ridiculously comfy skirt! I also decided to keep the original length, though I noticed that many other ladies who've sewn this up added length. I was going to add an inch in length, but at the last minute I decided, nah, just go for it! I really love the super mini length paired with the high waist. It feels very 70's collegiate to me - a bit Gloria Steinem, or like something my Mom would've worn in her late teens and early 20's.

DSC_0040DSC_0007

I did, however hem the back of the skirt a half inch longer than the front to compensate for the fact that my rump ate up some of the length back there. Also, pockets as design features are highly underrated.

DSC_0003DSC_0004

This skirt came together pretty much without a hitch. Although I did almost lose it once or twice with the bias bound innards. The pattern calls for you to make your own bias binding, but I decided to just use up some random bits of pre-made bias binding that I've had lying around.  Therefore, my innards look a bit like a carnival! I have to admit, I hate this method of seam finishing. Sure it looks pretty, but it's a major pain in the tuckus. Bias binding is just so fiddly!! After a total hack-job on the curved pockets, I decided to forgo the idea of pinning the binding in place, and instead brought out my trusty glue stick and started glueing that shit down! It stopped me from ripping out my eyeballs. So there's that. To all you ladies who choose this method of seam finishing of your own accord (not because a pattern tells you to) well... I will readily admit that you are finer seamstresses than me!

DSC_0035

I decided to wear my new skirt with my blue linen Archer, which looked quite sharp this morning, but after a day of sweating and leaking hoses... well, I was looking a bit rumpled by the evening! I'm also looking forward to pairing this skirt with my bodysuits for an overall svelte look. All in all, a fun little addition to the wardrobe!

So does anyone else get the 'back to school blues' this time of year, regardless of the fact that you're not actually going back to school?

xx

49 comments:

  1. Oh, back to school days, yes, I get the blues, as for the second year, I have no one at home for the back-to-school pictures and events. Then I think wait, I have more time to sew and the blues last a short time! Your skirt is so cute and fun, this pattern is a great one and I love the inset front pockets. I have made it once and just used my serger on the inside.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I used to detest school and and I definitely don't have the "back to school blues". What I have is more like feeling sorry for everyone who still have to go back to school. I've always liked working more than going to school and I can't be happier that I never(hopefully) have to go back to any sort of institution that requires me to participate in classroom/college auditorium education.


    I adore your skirt, it looks so fun and the print is so adorable

    ReplyDelete
  3. I will definitely be going the serger route on any future iterations! Thanks Lori!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That looks like the outfit of an A+ student to me :) I always felt pretty great the first day of school in new duds too! But I sure don't miss high school at all. As I recall, I didn't use my locker at all senior year, and by the end, I had no idea which one was mine, much less the combo.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I get the same feeling. Around here, the kids still have a few weeks of holiday left but then it'll be back to school, which means busier roads in the morning for me as well! I used to love the long holidays as a kid, being outside, the freedom to do whatever you wanted, although I didn't really dislike school either. Your skirt looks lovely, I have the pattern as well but still haven't made it even after seeing so many great versions, I'll need to get in to it sometime soon!

    ReplyDelete
  6. great outfit! i love the cute print on the skirt, and it pairs so nicely with your archer. this year the start of school is kinda giving me the blues... the baby of the family heads off to Kindergarten and i'm having a hard time processing! i'm sure i'll get over it quickly with all the newfound quiet time, and oh yeah, sewing time! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love it all! But your SHOES are the holy grail clogs I've been looking for. Would you mind sharing?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Very very cute! I love the fabric. Yellow always makes me smile. Loving those pockets...AND those shoes!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks Karen! My shoes are from Sven clogs, and yes, they are pretty great!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. its so adorable. you make me want to make a mini - and i never wear minis. i especially am smitten with all of that binding on the inside. holy moly.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am about to enter my final year of undergrad and, if future me is at all sane, my final year of school ever. Recently my days have been filled simultaneously with dread, as I know that school has always been horrible and anxiety-inducing, and excitement, as I think of all the cute outfits I could wear while carrying my books across the cobble-stoned campus among the falling leaves... Even though I know full well that all the cute outfits in the world won't make me happy when I have to write my thesis.

    Your skirt is adorable, though! I love high-waisted miniskirts, and I have loved every version of this skirt that I've seen, it's just such a nice silhouette.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh my goodness - I'm glad I'm not the only one who dreams she forgot to go to a particular class all semester. I used to have that dream all the time in college, and now I'm 30 and in the middle of getting my masters, and I STILL have that same dream!! Ugh, it's the worst only because it seems so REAL. Your skirt is lovely - I couldn't agree more on the bright yellow, red, and chambray. Perfect back-to-school / autumn combo. I also love your braids! You'd be the coolest art teacher in that outfit. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I always looked forward to the first day of school, dreaming about all that I was going to learn and my fun new school supplies. Then I would show up and realize, oh yah, other kids go to school, too, and that's when my anxiety would kick in. Introvert alert! Anyway, I love your little skirt and the primary-colored innards! And, now it's my turn to covet your shoes...

    ReplyDelete
  14. Isn't it weird that some kids are already back in school?!? It seems so early! Anyways, I would have loved your outfit in high school and I love it now :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love this whole outfit! And the skirt is even better for its carnival innards. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is such a fab skirt and you can't even tell it's at the end of a hose soaked day! The length is perfect (though it def wouldn't have passed the regulation 5 cm above the knee at my school!:)) Oh and I couldn't agree more re the bound seams. Yes they look cute but what a pain in the #$@

    ReplyDelete
  17. I think I was one of those kids that looked forward to back to school, at least while I was still in elementary. I love Fall, but I do kind of get the blues about summer ending. I grew up in California, but now live in the northeast. Summer is so so so short here.


    As for the ubiquitous school nightmare, for me it has evolved over the years. It now usually comes in the form of law school -- there's some class I forgot to go to all semester and now I have to go take the final exam. The exam, of course, usually looks like some kind of math that I have never seen before! Also, I often get lost on the way to school and have a hard time finding the classroom. It its extreme version, the dream has some kind of wardrobe malfunction too.


    Cute skirt -- it's perfect for the last golden bits of summer!


    ~Jen

    ReplyDelete
  18. The best thing about going back to school was new stationery. Nice empty books and shiny new pens. We had to wear a pretty intense uniform so clothes were never a fun part of school for me. (Kilt, shirt, tie and blazer, anyone?)
    But I love your back to school outfit! That pattern is a gem and I really like the fabric you chose. You are rocking the length, too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh yay. I'm so excited you made up this skirt Sal! That fabric is sooooo fun, and perfectly summery and goes so brilliantly with those shoes & Archer and legs. Holy hell girl, your legs go forever! And seeing those pretty bound innards made me fall in love with this pattern all over again. Having made one with self-made bias and one with scraps, I agree that the random scrap bindings are way more fun. But yeah, a total pain around the curved bits of the pockets. I really should try this gluestick thing you keep talking about!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh sis I love it - even if the blue and gold gives me MAJOR HS flashbacks. It's like the combo I always wanted to wear on blue and gold day instead of the nasty polyester duds I was forced to don. You do remind me of our pretty mommy too - and if that's you at the end of a hard day I will never share another picture of myself after noon again. You look fresh and fabulous. Also - as you know I know NOTHING about sewing but I adore the innards or your skirt! Go primary! xoxo.

    ReplyDelete
  21. EVERY time I see this pattern made up I wonder why the hell I haven't sewn it yet. Your version is absolutely no exception. The carnivale innards with the red/gold/blue gives it a very fab 70s vibe.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I had no idea I wasn't the only one having that very same school anxiety dream! Only I think I only started having the dream AFTER finishing high school and university. Not sure what that is about. I love your back to school skirt. I have that pattern out right now, in the muslin phase. I'm drafting a lining for it and planning to forgo the fiddly bias binding in the process. Hopefully it will work out

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm so glad you finally made this! I understand why some people have pegged the hem in a little to give it a straighter look, but when it's short like this it's so perfect. Looks so good with your linen archer too. Happy face!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Look at those insides! You were meant to go back to school in this make. All the primary colors.

    ReplyDelete
  25. You are all legs!! That length is so fantastic on you. You make me want to make a mini, though it would NEVER look this good! I'm glad you went for it and didn't add any length. Love the blue and gold, too. And I actually prefer linen shirts when they are rumply. Sometimes I crumple mine up at the beginning of the day. I get the back to school blues every year ;)

    ReplyDelete
  26. OMG!! Me too!! I never had the high school anxiety dream until I was finished with all my years of education! And now if I'm feeling stressed at work I pretty much KNOW I'll be walking the halls, confused as HELL, of my old high school in my dreams!! Ha!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I don't know about you, but I still kinda have a *thing* against blue&gold from good ol' Muhlenberg! Also, you shoulda seen me earlier in the day with my hair down and giving everyone the 'serious look'. I was doing a double take in the mirror! Like, wait! is that me?!?! Or Mom?!?!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I never looked that good OR had as cute an outfit!!! I love it and you look beautiful as always. I think the blue and gold throw back to your school colors is fun! And for the record those of us who are STILL "going back to school" have our own set of school related nightmares. Mine is: all my students are yelling and standing on their desks. I have no lesson plans. I can't raise my voice loud enough to be heard and I'm about to be observed by the principal.

    ReplyDelete
  29. The all-important first day of school outfit... I can remember almost all of mine; overalls (with plaid lining, obvs), 90's striped sweater, even more exciting overalls, ochre pants, etc. I can totally relate to that outfit making all the other stuff ok, for at least a little bit!
    Oh yes, you've nailed it.
    I was wondering what, exactly that print was (which means it's a good one)!
    Also in the camp that has no excuses not to have made this skirt, because I've had the pattern forever.

    ReplyDelete
  30. This is such a summer win! I'm yet to see a bad version of this pattern made up!

    ReplyDelete
  31. oh, you look gorgeous in this cute little skirt, and you've got the legs to rock a mini so go for it, I reckon! I really love it worn with your blue linen shirt too; kinda preppy, in a good way :) And I would KILL for those shooooooes!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. The skirt looks great. It is just ever so slightly just starting to warm a little here in South Australia, but I could imagine that would look good with some tights as well. I'm fairly new to sewing but am currently sewing in a gallery as part of an art project so love to see what the popular patterns are. Clearly this one is a good staple.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I totally forgot about that pattern and now I need it. Right now. I love your version, and really like it with the Archer!

    ReplyDelete
  34. This looks so great on you! I thought for some reason you'd already made this! I'm one of those people that EVERY SINGLE TIME this pops up, I'm like ugh why haven't I made this????? I need to get on the stick!

    Dude. I don't wanna go back to school, but every time the end of summer rolls around, I get in this weird funk because I feel like I should be doing more/something else with my life. Stupid seasonal patterns!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love back-to-school outfits! Back in my teens my sister and I would pour over the H&M catalogues (they were huge in mail-order back in the day), and mom would let us order some new clothes for the start of the school-year. I still have the deep-rooted feeling that when the air cools, it's time for something new! I'll be participating this fall, going back to school myself! Um - to become a teacher... so I can keep going back to school forever! Muahaha... ;)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Oooo Sallie I've been eyeing up that fabric on Mood since the beginning of the year and now I've seen it sewn up I think I might have to get me some! Super cute as a little mini!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I'm definitely of the "back to school hurrah!" camp, but this fall is the first fall of my life actually that I'm not going back to school. (I went to school for a little too long) and I feel a bit sad about it! I hated high school, but I loved university, and for me September was always the start of the new year, not January. Regardless, I want some new not-back-to-school clothes too! It's been REALLY cold where I live and summer already feels over, so I'm ready to start rocking some fall sewing. Love this skirt, just got this pattern, now racking my brain trying to think of what fabric I have that will work...

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love this whole outfit.

    And boy the insides look so good.

    ReplyDelete
  39. This is my all time favourite skirt pattern! I love the fabric!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I thought i was the only one who had that "haven't been to math class all year and can't remember my locker combination or my class schedule" dream. Glad to see i'm not alone haha. Love the skirt! I'm gonna have to check out that pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Aww, cute outfit! I also always get the "back to school" feeling in late summer. Makes me want to get out the knee socks and short skirts, even though we don't have school uniforms in Germany. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Cute skirt. Just as pretty on the outside as it is inside.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I also get the "Back to School Feeling" but i'm a speech therapist in the school system, so I supposed it's still warranted :) Your outfit looks fantastic. The color combo is perfect, very JCrew with a side of short ;)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Super cute skirt! I'm about to make the pattern myself - any tips for finishing the inside seams if one doesn't want to go the bias tape route?

    ReplyDelete
  45. Amazing how some people (like you!) have the ability to make simple
    look so stylish while on others (like me!) simple just looks a bit
    boring! I'm loving all the a-line skirts I'm seeing around at the
    moment so maybe I just need to give one a go & then get a little
    more creative with my styling.

    While I don't suffer from back to
    school blues at the start of the school year (Jan/ Feb for us) I do
    still have horrible recurring back to school dreams, and that's after
    almost 20 years since graduation! It's always the first day of year
    twelve- the mere thought of a whole year of hard work, angst and
    bitchiness ahead is enough to wake me up in a cold sweat. I'm with you,
    no love lost over school!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I'm with you, I can't go into any kind of store during the month of August/September without adding new pencils and pens to my cart and then 10 minutes later asking myself why I did that lol. NEED ALL THE SCHOOL SUPPLIES!! I love your new back to school outfit. It's super cool and makes me wish I could sit at your table during lunch ;)

    ReplyDelete
  47. This is just SO CUTE! Great combo outfit for back to school season :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Look at Galveston--so green! This is a lovely back to school outfit and such a sassy little mini, very 70s collegiate. I so miss school. Yeah that's me. I laughed at your stress dream--in my version I'm somehow both the teacher and the student (which feels true) but I have triple the amount of work and somehow saved it all up till the end of the school year. Stay cool, gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Hey Chloe! Sorry, hope this isn't way too late, but I think if you have a serger you could just finish all the seams that way. That's what I plan on doing next time. Although if you don't mind the extra work, the bias binding sure does look pretty!

    ReplyDelete