Matching Grey Pleated Skirt and Ruffle Top McCalls 6706 & Simplicity 2599

Dresses are my favourite item of clothing if you hadn't already noticed! but I do like to make other items too.
Here I have made a grey pleated skirt and a grey printed ruffle top.

I used McCall's 6706 option D for the skirt. The other options are two striped skirts, a two tone skirt and a skirt with a short front and longer back. 

The pattern was very easy to put together and the instructions were easy to follow. I even added in a pocket to the opposite side to the zipper (gotta love a pocket!).

I used a grey cotton poplin, after I had cut my material I realised that the skirt style was quite high waisted, I didn't want it to be so high waisted. To overcome this I used very small seam allowances so it would sit closer to my hips. The other amendment I made was to double the height of the waistband as I prefer a wider waistband.

I used Simplicity 2599 option D for the top. I was drawn to this pattern as I love ruffles and this has quite a few options of different types of ruffles all in one. 

This pattern went together very quickly and was easy to follow. Aside from the ruffles what I also like about this pattern is the addition of the side darts which makes for a nicer fit. 

When I brought this pattern I accidentally brought the larger sizing 12-20 instead of 4-12, I am usually an 8-10 on top. To overcome this I found a great method on the Burda website which can be found here to reduce the size 12 to a 10 and I also used larger seam allowances as the 10 was still a little big.

The fabric used was a silky satin I purchased at Spotlight in the sale section for a bargain price of $4m. When cutting the pattern pieces out I cut 4 ruffles instead of the 3 in the pattern. As I was attaching them I decided after adding just 2 ruffles that was enough - sometimes you can have too much of a good thing!

I am really pleased with how this skirt and top turned out, each time I make something I am learning more and more and each item is slightly better made than the last. Let me know what you think.