Button-up short skirt.

[Kitten Wrangler]

I wanted a new skirt. And this is what resulted:



I love it, so very very very hard. The pattern was drafted by me - the whole thing resulted from what I did and didn't have to hand at home.

I started with the instructions for an A-line skirt from the 'Sew What Skirts' book. The amount of fabric I had dictated that it was going to be a short skirt.



My desire to hide my chubby belly dictated the waist finishing - a simple facing, because on a short skirt I didn't want a waistband sitting over my podge, nor did I want a drawstring. I even pinched out some darts in the back for a more fitted finish.

I was going great guns, until I realised that I didn't have any zips. The only fasteners I had.... were buttons.



So buttons it was. 8 of them up the side seam. I had to change a whole heap of stuff on the fly - adding an extra piece of fabric to sew the buttons onto, folding back another facing on the side seam so that the button holes would have something sturdy to be sewn on. Somehow, I managed to eke everything I needed out of the teeny bits of fabric that were left!!

And check this!

I've been trying to develop more.... couture? techniques in the clothing I make for myself. I don't like zigzagging raw edges, so I tend to use a lot of French seams in what I do. I'm starting to hand roll my hems as well, and use an invisible hemstitch to secure them. AND - my machine makes cruddy buttonholes. I'm really bad at them. And during my pondering, I realised that sewn buttonholes would not be good at the side of a skirt - they'd be stretched out of shape in no time. A bit of googling around looking at different ways of hand-sewing buttonholes, and I came upon bound button holes. They're complicated, but I love them!!

This is the best one I did - though it's not perfect.


I will NOT show the back of the buttonholes, because they are a DAMN mess, and I don't know how to hide the mess of them away yet. I'll learn eventually though.... and in the meantime, the effect (and the strength) of the bound buttonholes on the skirt far outweigh the unprofessionalness of the inside.


So - what do you think? Any advice, compliments, concrit?? Do you see my muscly derby thighs peeking out there?? Ever done a bound buttonhole, and know how to hide all the mess of the back?

[JLewis37]

I love the fabric you used for this skirt! IDK if I would of used buttons...But hey! IT's VERY cute and it works! Great job! And the button hole doesnt look bad!

[Alexus1325]

OMG be damn proud of yourself cuz that is amazing! Especially considering how much on-the-fly it took!

*APPLAUSE*

(I think I want one, now )

[myklia]

That skirt is really cute.

[PixieSkull]

Those buttons and buttonholes look great! Isn't it fun drafting and making skirts? Cute fabric and design.

[Isolde]

Very cute. Maybe you can steam a seam some ribbon over the messy part on the inside?

[Kitten Wrangler]

Very cute. Maybe you can steam a seam some ribbon over the messy part on the inside?

That would close up the buttonholes though!!

Those buttons and buttonholes look great! Isn't it fun drafting and making skirts? Cute fabric and design.

I LOVE making my own skirts. I haven't bought one in years. I was getting a tad bored with just simple A-lines and panelled skirts though, so it was great to have something that was different.

I love the fabric you used for this skirt! IDK if I would of used buttons...But hey! IT's VERY cute and it works! Great job! And the button hole doesnt look bad!

I love the fabric too. It's got a little stretch to it, and I bought it... oooh, I think from some little fabric shop on Sydney Road in Brunswick. It was definitely cheap - maybe about $4 or $6 a metre?

I HAD to use buttons, because I have no zips. And I was sewing at around midnight, so I certainly couldn't go anywhere to buy myself some more. But I do have buttons. Many, many, many buttons.......

[yay_it*s_tanya]

That's some pretty cool fabric! I love all the detail and attention you put into the skirt. I admire your bound button holes... I still haven't worked up the courage to try them yet.

[boisdarc]

this skirt is great-australian chicks rock!

[Elphelba]

That's a really great piece. The fabric is a stunning choice and I'm fuming with envy that you pulled off those button holes . The buttons do make for a nice touch, and the fit is very flattering .