Sew Along: "Sew What! Skirts"

[veganmom]

karls_mommy: If it makes you feel any better... I'm a plus-size and the a-line on me is very forgiving of the booty. It's a large part of the reason why I keep banging out more skirts... not only is it fun, it helps my wardrobe out inmmensely!

OnTheEdge: Cool! Great job!

I didn't have any problems getting my first zipper in... but the skirt overall ended up too big somehow. I'm glad your zipper worked out!

V.

[Kaos]

So, the skirts in this book are easily adaptable for plus sizes? I hesitate to buy these books sometimes thinking the patterns won't resize well.

[veganmom]

There are no patterns.  You draw your own based on your body measurements. So yes, def. plus-size friendly.

I've been drawing mine on a roll of brown mailing paper.

V.

[Kaos]

Neat. I'm gonna def check it out!

[veganmom]

The only thing left on this one is to hand sew the waist casing shut now that the elastic is in, but I'll save that for another day. Getting late and have to hit the sack.

I use a cotton twill camo-flower print in cream, wine, and purple.

Here's the skirt on the kitchen floor:


Here's the skirt on moi:


It actually started out to be skirt #2 from the book with the zipper. I didn't have any problem getting it in but somehow I miscalculated and even though I felt it was large I carried on putting in the facings and all that. Then came to find it was 3 inches too big when it put it on!

So I ripped out the facings, the zipper, finished sewing up the side, and changed it to a bias type hem for the bottom and then matching quilt binding for the waist. Thank goodness for elastic!

Enjoy!
V.

[OnTheEdge]

I like how that one turned out.  It looks very good on you.  I am going to have so many skirts now.   

[karls_mommy]

veganmom: Outstanding I LOVE that fabric!!

OnTheEdge:  Ditto on your fabric too!  I can never find really outstanding fabrics in my LCS.

I did finally find a fabric.  I am not sure how it will look on me, but darn it, it's cool and I had to dig it from the deep recesses of the clearance tables.  It's in the washer now.  I will keep you posted on progress/completion.  I'm crossing my fingers now!

[karls_mommy]

Okay, I finished my first skirt.  I wanted to add ribbon detailing about 5 inches from the waistline, but the ribbon was too delicate to sew.  The machine just shredded it. :-(  It didn't quite turn out perfect, but I think I'll actually wear it.  Admittedly, I'm not excited about drawstrings, but I wanted to start at the beginning.  I really love my fabric, and may even consider making another down the road minus the drawstring and with some extra detailing, in that same fabric.

I am including a pic of the finished skirt, and a close-up of the fabric.  I will have DH take an action pic of the skirt later.





Pleas give me some honest feedback.  I'm feeling kind of disappointed in how I executed the pattern - too wide, etc. 

Thanks!

[OnTheEdge]

I'm not a fan of drawstrings in skirts myself, but that one looks like it turned out great.  I would have to see it on and see how it hangs before I say if it's too wide and all that. I love the fabric and the blue sets it off very well.  I think you did a great job. 

[veganmom]

I agree. A pix of you in it would help for getting more accurate feedback. But on the floor it looks great. The drawstring and trim go well with the fabric and the fabric itself is fun!

I'm not wild about drawstrings either, but like you, I just wanted to start at the beginning and move along.

Did you not want as much of an angle for the a-line? Do you think you can measure this with a protractor so you just know for future reference not to go bigger than a ___ degree angle?

I've got a "Ribbon Wizard" but haven't yet successfully learned how to deal with it. It's supposed to making sewing ribbons on by sewing machine neater.

V.