inspiration and another black skirt.

I think what I love most about the blogging community is the willingness to inspire and share ideas. JR and I were watching a decorating show in television the other day and the designers talked about going to their favorite "inspiration places"  so that they could brainstorm and design their next project. It might be a park, a diner, a smoothie stand, etc.

He asked me if I had any favorite "inspiration" places.
"Other than church?" No, not that kind of inspiration place.
"Other than my sewing room? A fabric store?"

Well, no. I must confess I don't really "go" anyplace to be inspired other than to my computer.. I have everything I need right here at my fingertips for inspiration... Where else can I go to see all of the latest runways or newest fabric trends?  There's Ravelry and Pattern Review and countless email updates from independant pattern designers. Not to mention department stores, online magazines, Pinterest and Polyvore, where I can actually play around with a wardrobe idea. But my best inspiration comes from reading other blogs, and the comments you leave here.

Amanda left a comment the other day about the  Vogue 8815 black ponte top, suggesting putting it with a ponte skirt from my closet, for a new version of the LBD. Brilliant!
Then I was reading a blog post at the Carnival of skirts, where Rachelle shared an inspiration photo and her version of a lace panel skirt.

And I hit the jackpot of inspiration. And lucky me, because I have an event to attend  which requires some dress-up. But the last thing I want to do is make a dress that I may never wear again, and the first thing I want to do is make something that can be used over and over again.  Seperates were the answer, and jusshing up a black ponte pencil skirt and a peplum top seemed to be the perfect answer. I made a quick sketch:

So here we go, so far: This is the same pencil skirt using Simplicity 2475. After assembling the skirt bottom,

I cut out the slip lining from a tricot thrift store slip.

And sewed the slip lining to the skirt at the top edge.

                                                   (this is the view from the south!)

The waistband is constructed with interfacing on the front band and elastic sewn in the back band:

Then the entire band is closed at the bottom.

                                            And attached to the top of the skirt.

                                                              (This is the back view)

A quick hem will be added tonight and the peplum top made up so that I will have a LBD in separates!
 I had considered underlining the lace with tricot, but I really wanted to have that layer effect for movement. I am loving the way the lace can be it's own thing over that slip lining.