Dressmaking: the dress that isn't yet (Butterick 5748) , and the skirt that is (self drafted)

So, since I discovered the Fabric Guild, I've been going a little loopy buying larger amounts of fabric. This one is Cotton & Steel Mochi Gamaguchi Navy

I really wanted to make a dress for the vintage sewalong, however the more I worked at this (its 

Butterick 5748) the worse it got. Eventually I just shoved it in a cupboard to be looked at some.other.time...

Slightly more successful was what I did with the rest of the fabric. Determined to wear a handbag themed outfit for the school stall, I made this on a wing and a prayer. I used pleats instead of gathering and it came out ok. Phew!