Thursday, January 16, 2014

Horsey Moss Mini

Sometimes it takes me ages to think of a good pairing of fabric and pattern (I'm looking at you, Anna dress!) but other times they just seem to find each other almost by themselves, without any help or thought from me :-) That's what happened with this horse print fabric and the Grainline Studio Moss Mini recently.



I'm a recent convert to Grainline Studios patterns. I wasn't that interested in the Moss Mini when it first came out but then I started to see all the great versions around (as you do) and started thinking about how I could use some basics in my wardrobe. I had a rather sedate dark toned drill cotton in mind when suddenly this horse print duck cotton from Spotlight jumped out at me.



The Moss mini was a joy to sew, such a well drafted pattern with such well written instructions. I made just a couple of alterations. I had to take in the back centre seam a little to make the waist sit better but this was easy to do. I tried the skirt on after inserting the zip and before I put the waistband on. The waist was gaping a bit and I knew from past experience that if I didn't fix this the skirt would never sit right and keep twisting around as I walked. There's nothing more annoying! I fixed it by just taking the back yoke seam in a little, tapering down to the centre back, and also taking the side seams in slightly too.

I didn't bother to try to match the horse print as I thought it wouldn't really matter and I thought I may run out of fabric (and I'm lazy). Consequently I have ended up with a two-headed horse and also a bottomless horse at the front seam - oh well :-)



 I really love the details of this skirt:
: : the pockets are a generous size, and they are anchored to the centre seam so they don't move around annoyingly
: : The pockets are desinged to sit out a little to give your hands space (as pictured above)
: : The back yoke allows for a really nice fit. With a simple shape like this fit is so important
: : The fly and waistband are constructed really nicely. This was only my second time inserting a fly and it turned out well despite my slight case of nerves (and yes, the instructions for this are as straightforward as everyone says they are)

I'm really happy with my horsey mini, I've already worn it several times since making it in the new year. And I like occassionally making something a bit quirky and fun! My kids remark on my 'horsey skirt' each time I wear it :-) Having said that, I also have another Moss Mini in the works, this time the original plain drill fabric I had in mind when I bought the pattern. It will be good to have a basic too.

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Pattern Grainline Studio Moss Mini
Size 6
Fabric Cotton duck (mid weight) from Spotlight

Top Self-made Papercut Patterns Sloppy Josephine
Cuff Self-made

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Next up I want to show you another Grainline project. Can you guess which? Are you a Grainline fan too?

9 comments:

  1. I think you've convinced me. Although I am scared about the fly, never sewn one before. Love those horses!!

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    1. Do it, Ros, do it! It's not as scarey as I'd imagined, and I'm glad I'm on my way to conquering it. Plus Jen's instructions are really clear.

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  2. Very cool, I love the horse fabric! I have made a couple of moss skirts, and archers, scouts, hemlocks...I could probably stop buying other patterns and just sew Grainline, haha

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    1. Thanks Kelly :-) I think of you as the queen of Grainline patterns! I'd quite like to try an Archer but it scares me a bit!

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  3. Looks good. I've always liked the moss mini - the longer length for me though. I like to hide my knees! :) What's next? the pyjamas??

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    1. Ah, knees, yes... I try to ignore mine and imagine noone else can see them either ;-) Hoping to get around to the pyjamas soon

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  4. Horsey skirt! I love it - so fun! I am betting ... Archer?

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  5. I am a huge grainline fan. Ive just made 2 pairs of shorts, am workung on my third tee and have made the miss in Silver denim. I love ypur horsey version!

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  6. Sorry about the mass of typos. Was typing on my phone whilst walking.... Just read your shorts post, they look fab!

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