Two (fairly) quick and satisfying makes.

I have lacked motivation to sew for myself lately and I think its because making clothes for myself is more time consuming and technical than making clothes for my children.  Children are fairly simple to sew clothes for, after all they are mostly straight tubes and there is very little fussing with the dart here or letting out a seam line there and I never make muslins for them.  So there are times when I just can't be bothered with starting a project for myself because I know it will require so much more from me.    

I don't know why the skirt appears to be glowing in this picture!

So here enters these two pieces.  The top is one of my favorite patterns, the Briar top by Megan Nielsen.  I've made it many times before and this one is made up in a stretchy knit I believe with some lycra content- purchased from Hancock fabrics..  Its the XS with 3/8" seam allowances on the side seams rather than the called for 5/8".  I've found with knits that depending on the stretchiness of the knit the pattern can greatly vary in fit.  For example I've made this top in a ponte and since ponte's have next to no stretch I have to go up a size in the pattern, see that version here.  This is a quick make as far as tops go.  The neckline finish sometimes isn't as clean as I wish for it to be- I have some trouble getting an even looking top stitch on the neckband- but its still good.  

The skirt is the Sewaholic Hollyburn from Pink Chalk Fabrics.  I made a size 8 letting the waistband out by 1/2" (my waist measures 29" for reference).  The fabric is a thrifted find that I believe is some sort of rayon and poly blend.  It drapes like challis but is a lot less fussy to work with than challis.  I really wish I knew what it was because I would only work with this type of fabric if I had my druthers.  I love rayon challis but it can have a mind of its own- puckering and fraying for what seems like no good reason and stretching out on the bias like crazy.  But this fabric behaved itself which was wonderful- minimal stretching on the bias!

As for the pattern It was very straightforward and I can't think of any difficult spots.  I did not sew the zipper according to the directions but basted the seam closed and then basted the zipper in place before sewing it down.  This is my "go-to" method.  I also hand stitched the hem since I didn't want to mess up the smoothness of the fabric and I hand stitched down the waistband on the inside for the same reason.

So, there we go, two (fairly) quick makes for me that required minimal fitting- I love that!
As for you, do you sew children's clothes to take a break from sewing/fitting garments for yourself as well?

Linking up to Frontier Dreams: Keep Calm and Craft On.