Burda Germany is currently hosting a competition, the subject of which is to sew an outfit that you would wear to Berlin Fashion Week. I am participating with a top-trouser combo, which I managed to get done just in time for the deadline (so the photos had to be done on a cloudy day around sunset; the denim trousers are not exactly showing their best side).

It’s just the kind of thing I would wear out here in Berlin: trousers that look smart but are really just a pair of jeans (well it’s denim, anyway), and a top with clean lines and a bit of a sporty edge to it. If you feel so inclined, you can cast your vote here. (And if you should choose to spend your vote on me, thank you very much!)

A few details. The top is of grey merle cotton jersey; it’s pretty thick so I guess it’s ponti jersey. The white bands are also knit, but polyester. There are French darts and a sway-back, which means that it doesn’t end up too boxy, nor does it flare out tent-style, which is how many cropped tops would look on me. The bands are channel-stitched, which gives the fabric a bit of stand – this in particular helps to emphasise the kimono-sleeves. And no, those rows of stitches do not stand up to close scrutiny. Thank god I didn’t go with my first plan, which was to do them in grey thread for a bit of impact.

The trousers sits on the natural waist, with the hem on the ankle. The front and back crease line is emphasised with top stitching done with a twin needle. Fun fact: thick top stitching thread and twin needles do not mix. The thread burst all the time – it sort of twisted round the way it does when you sew by hand, and got stuck in the needle eye. At least that’s what I think happened. I’m pleased I persevered, though: it means there’s a nice crease even on days when you can’t be bothered with pressing. I bought the fabric in Copenhagen a while back, some vintage denim (whatever that means) on sale and with an extra discount on top because I got a bit excited and bought more than I strictly speaking needed (although ‘need’ is a somewhat irrelevant term when it comes to buying fabric, don’t you find?). These trousers were cheap is what I’m saying; they also happen to be the best fitting trousers I have ever owned.

So, who knows whether I win or not – it would be nice, admittedly – but either way I have a pretty cool made-by-me outfit. (But seriously, don’t look at the channel stitching.)