Starting with the Pencil Skirt of S2452 - The Wardrobe Builder

Grey Skirt with Teal Blouse (JC Penny's)




Grey Skirt with Navy jacket and Stretch Velvet Top (Both RTW)


This is another installment of my Fall 2010 wardrobe builders. Simplicity 2452 is a nice pattern to create a custom wardrobe. The only thing missing is a top/dress to complete the ensemble. The sweet thing about this pattern is it has two jacket styles, view B being the cutest in my opinion. The skirt is typical and can be found in many wardrobe patterns. This version does not have a facing or waistband. Instead the sewist can add twill tape to finish the waist.



Sage Skirt with Faux Snake Skin Jacket (McCall's) and Brown Knit Top (Kohl's)


Well I think I've given you a idea about the description of the pattern. My first review is the skirt. I used it to make three skirts to add to my work wardrobe. It's too simple. Two pieces, front and back with a zipper and vent. The "simplicity" of this skirt gives the sewists many options to add trim to add some interesting details. This round I only added a lining.



Maroon Skirt with Ruffled Knit Top (Walmart)


Part of this review is to show how the skirt can be incorporated into my ever "growing" wardrobe. Styling options included. Review follows:

Pattern Description: Misses' jacket with front variations and skirt. Simplicity sometimes gives vague descriptions of the style of the garment.

Pattern Sizing: 6 - 22.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, But I made a few changes to suit my taste.

Were the instructions easy to follow? For the skirt, I skimmed them. They look pretty standard for this style of skirt.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? As I stated in the introduction, the jacket, view B. My least favorite waist finishing is to add twill tape.

Fabric Used: Two of the fabrics used were wool remnants from Vogue. Each at about $10.00. And the third is a left over piece (wool also) from a dress I made a few years ago. It was purchased at JoAnn's. Here is a close look at the texture of the fabrics used. Here are a few of the many Vogue fabric tags.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Instead of inserting a side zipper and place it center back: two invisibles and one lapped. The waist was finish by adding 1/4" twill tape to stay the waist. Then I attached the lining, pressed the allowance towards the lining, understitched and finally topstitched the skirt to the lining to finish the waist. Here is a close up of the finished waist. And here is the finished waist and zipper.


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I probably won't sew it again. I have many more skirts styles I would like to sew. And yes, I recommend this pattern to others. I already have a jacket cut and ready to sew. But I won't start on it until after completing my holiday gift sewing. But it will be done before the new year.


Conclusion: This is a pretty nice wardrobe pattern. And the skirt is simply enough for a beginner to sew with no problems. I do recommend trying it.