This has been a long time in the making. Last year I was commissioned to make a suit for a friend – I blogged about this here. As I liked the combination I knew I wanted to make a version for myself. The patterns I used are Manhattan Skirt by Capital Chic Patterns (one f my favourite skirt patterns – I only made 5 of them. And what’s more I am not done with this one) and the jacket from NewLook 6035, which I got for free with my Sew Magazine issue 75. 
For my suit I used fabric and notions from my Local Abakhan store. No surprise there. I do promise you I do buy fabric from other shops. Same as before I chose to add piping to the princess seams on the jacket and the front panel on the skirt.
What I did different to the first combo was to finish the exposed seams on the jacket with bias tape, what’s called a Hong Kong finish, though I did not follow the typical construction of this type of seam. 
This seam finish seemed perfect as this fabric is fraying quite a bit. I did all the seams from side seams to sleeve seams and bottom edges of the hems. 
Considering how shifty the fabric was, I am please to how well the collar came together. 
The skirt construction was as before, no changes other than than lowering the hip by 2.5cm. 
I used black lining fabric for the inside of the skirt. It was a bit shifty, but manage to sew with it without having to use starch to stabilize it. I also attached by hand the lining to the zip and the skirt vent(so it does not peek out while wearing it). 
To finish off the back vent I topstitched it in place and added a little triangle at just above the slit to strengthen the seam. 
Because I love exposed zippers, I’ve used a metal one to add interest or as a design feature. 
I think that next time I make the skirt I will used a 1cm seam allowance on the side seams to give me a little more room. I feel the skirt it’s a bit tight. I’ve been experimenting with the lighting when I took the pictures so in some of them the colours are brighter than in the others. I hope they won’t scratch your optic nerve too much. 
I love this little office number. It’s quite smart and confortable. I am considering making a few more work suits by combining jacket patterns with skirt/trouser patterns and using the same fabric.
Do you find yourself making up combinations like that? I’d love to know what patterns would you combine to make work suits. I am looking for inspiration for my next combo. Please leave your ideas in the comments. Thank you.
Sewing Adventures In The Attick 
This is so great Simona! Such a difficult project but you’ve really pulled it off. I love the colour too!
Thank you Sally! It’s why I love sewing.
So impressed with your finish on these. You’re inspiring me to make far more time over the innards: mine drive me to distraction at times and often really put me off wearing memades 😦
Thanks! I’d say start with simple makes when you think of the finish inside. That way it won’t feel it’s taking you so long to make something.
Your skirt suit looks great both in and out, so smart and classy. Unfortunately I never get the chance to wear clothes like this (I work with little children and I’m not sure they would appreciate it 😀 I’d look like Mary Poppins!) if you sewed a few with a similar colour palette you could mix and match too.
Oh thank you! Your idea is great! I’ll consider it and make another with same colours maybe back with red piping? 🙂
Very nice- love the piping and the fancy inside finish
Thank you. It was well worth doing the extra work.