Jaime's Zinnia Skirt & Scout Tee

Sometimes I get really inspired to sew a million things and last week was one of those times. I whipped out 3 tops and a skirt all in a few days - practically an entire new wardrobe! I tried out two new patterns and I love them both! Here is my report on Grainline Studio Scout Tee and Colette Zinnia Skirt.

The Scout Tee by Grainline Studio has been popular in the sewing world for a while, so its a little embarrassing that this is my first time making one. Jen Beeman is the woman behind these amazing sewing patterns out of Chicago. I love them because the designs are simple and classic, but look and fit great - my favorite! The Scout Tee is a basic tee pattern that uses woven fabrics - perfect because there is no shortage of these here at Fancy Tiger Crafts. I actually cut out and made two of these at once, I was so excited. The Scout Tee pictured is sewn out of a Nani Iro double gauze fabric. The double gauze fabric is light and airy and worked perfect for this pattern. The pattern was super fast and easy to sew up. The neck and sleeves are finished with bias strips hidden to the inside. Scout Tee is currently only available as a pdf download directly from Grainline Studio, but finger's crossed for printed versions we can carry here at the shop next year. You are going to see a lot of these from me in the future...

The Zinnia skirt by Colette is a new full-skirt pattern that can be made in several different options - longer or shorter, pleated or gathered, front pockets or side pockets. I choose to make the shorter, pleated skirt. I used one of my favorite fabrics, the Brussels-Washer from Robert Kaufman. This fabric is an affordable, 55" wide yarn-dyed linen/rayon blend. The color is wintery pale blue. The Brussels-Washer fabric is fantastic because it drapes well and the rayon means it doesn't get as wrinkled as a 100% linen.

The Zinnia  Skirt was fairly simple to sew up as Colette patterns go - the waistband is interfaced and the skirt is finished with a zipper closure at the back. Colette always included tips for professional touches in her patterns - on this skirt, the pleats are finished with top-stitching which makes them look great. I really like the length of this skirt - especially great to pair with tights and boots in the upcoming cold months.

I wasn't expecting to wear these two together, but when I finished my skirt and needed a top to pair with it, my new Scout Tee was perfect. A tucked in top shows off the waistband and pleats of the Zinnia Skirt and the Scout Tee fit the bill perfectly.