Friday, 12 March 2010

First skirt and it's a 'Meh'


Yesterday I was very busy. I took all twenty four measurements, wrung my hands a bit, drafted the basic skirt pattern, sewed it up, did something ridiculously stupid to the zipper, frothed at the mouth, ripped it out and inserted another one.

Not an invisible one, just a normal one, because I don't have any invisible zips yet and this is just my 'muslin'. A muslin made out of red twill with a bit of stretch. It's just as well I didn't use semi-precious hoarded fabric (for once), because it's a bit big on the waist. What do you think, a smaller waist measurement or bigger darts?


Or maybe I should just move onto another one of the skirt variations now I have my basic pattern. Because this is how I feel about the shape:


It would be fine if I worked in a office. Or had appropriate footwear. Or non-purple legs. But seeing as none of those statements apply to me, I think I need something less corporate. Or would a different fabric be enough? I will wait here by the computer until you tell me what to do.
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20 comments:

  1. darcey12 March 2010 at 14:35

    I say try it in a different fabric, as I like the shape and length. I cannot comment on the waist dilemma, however.

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  2. Anonymous12 March 2010 at 14:36

    Meh, have had the same issue - thought measurements were right but it was too big at the waist (actually something I LIKE discovering, to justify the scotch egg I just ate) - I took it in a bit but still not right.

    Hmmmmmmm, I think it would lose its corporate image if it was a more casual fabric, like cord or denim (meh) or similar. OR if it was a grown-up-but-pretty print. I like the cut on you though. How are your knees? Could you go shorter?

    I've been putting off getting Husby to take pics of me in mine for the very same reason...

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  3. Jen Walshaw12 March 2010 at 14:43

    I havnt even started yet, I think you need to go slightly longer on the kneee and it needs something on it to detract from the plainness of it. Some applique or something on one side a bit bodenesque would make it loook great. I think the style suits you, just not sure on the plainess

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  4. KID, MD12 March 2010 at 14:52

    So, no to the darts in the front. They'd just add curve to your front, which would give you a tummy you don't have. You could deepen the darts at the back just a 1/4 inch or so, to give your waist and bum better definition back there. The fit looks good at the hip, so I'd shave a bit off the waist (after you deepen the back darts) and blend it into the current seamline around the hip area. I also think it would be more fun in a cute print and an inch or two shorter. The length is definitely "corporate".

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  5. Juana12 March 2010 at 14:52

    I am not an expertise; but I think lenght and colour are ok, maybe some darts on waist would resolve the problem...
    PS: make me smile your statement: "fennel is evil"!

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  6. nickynackynoo12 March 2010 at 14:56

    Yep, different fabric. Looks good though.

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  7. KID, MD12 March 2010 at 14:58

    Oh, I meant - shave off the waist at the side seams - in case that wasn't clear.

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  8. Bron12 March 2010 at 15:34

    You've had great advice for waist fixes so I can't add to that. But... I reckon the *shoes* are what gives it the corporate feel. Can you try a pair of knee-high boots and see if that makes a difference? Also fabric choice will make a big difference...but who am I to tell YOU that!!!

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  9. Bagladee12 March 2010 at 15:52

    I love the shape, I think its just the red plain fabric that makes it look corporate. I'd love to see it in something fun and flirty.....flowers or lovely and colourful. Cant wait to see it :D xx

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  10. auntninn12 March 2010 at 16:00

    See? I knew you could just whip it up once you set your mind to it. All this fretting about being behind.

    I think it will be cute in a different fabric. The first picture hints at how cute it could be in something with a little movement.

    I agree that the first skirt in the book is a little blah. But I don't think a ruffle would suit me, so I'm going to try it in the pretty Amy Butler and see if it helps.

    I wonder if we're all going to hate our own and like each others?

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  11. Louiz12 March 2010 at 16:35

    I can't really add much to what everyone else has said - but I'm hoping I have the same problems with waist fit (just eaten about a quarter of a pan of chocolate brownies. Somehow I doubt it).

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  12. cal12 March 2010 at 16:51

    it sounds like your original waist msmt was too big; i would go back to that rather than increasing the darts. and i wouldn't advise moving on to the other variations until you work out the fit on this one, or you'll have a cuter style that still doesn't fit right ;n)

    also, for a muslin, you don't have to put in the zipper/waistband/hem ntil you check the fit. usually you just sew the side seams (leaving the top 7" or so open-- where the zipper would be-- so you can get it on) and the darts. it's a good idea to stay-stitch the waistline to keep it from stretching, but you don't need to finish it. then if the fit is right and you like the fabric, you can go ahead and finish the skirt...
    i think you're off to a great start though! cheers!

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  13. Frances12 March 2010 at 17:14

    I really like it! It is a bit office-wear though. I'd try a different fabric, maybe with a contrasting band at the hem.

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  14. Pickled Weasel12 March 2010 at 20:39

    Bron is right, it's your shoes that make it office. Boots or a wedge mule and you'd be on a whole different scale. You have very nice knees btw.

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  15. Unknown12 March 2010 at 20:44

    Wow! A bunch of awesome comments! I'm not on flickr yet - hopefully you all give me comments too! I like appliques at the bottom of skirts.

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  16. Cecca13 March 2010 at 00:32

    It's looking great, and will look lovely with a bit of pattern or applique. :-)

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  17. mimesy13 March 2010 at 00:36

    prob a bit officey. i wear skirts like that for work. but mine are on the knee length, so maybe a bit longer. in colourful fabrics, with plain tops . usually with suede boots. and i don't have purple legs!

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  18. Unknown13 March 2010 at 01:11

    Hey :) You rock for venturing into adult clothing! I'm so scared to. If you want to fancy it up a bit to be less "corporate", what about add some buttons like on this skirt (http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=CLOTHES-SKIRTS-HIGHWAIST&id=023104&catId=CLOTHES-SKIRTS&pushId=CLOTHES-SKIRTS&popId=CLOTHES&sortProperties=&navCount=390&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=092&colorName=LIGHT%20DENIM&isSubcategory=true&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=)? Or add some type of texture, lace, ruffle, ribbon, trim, etc. to the bottom of it? It's a pretty color :)

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  19. Kitschy Coo13 March 2010 at 10:08

    Thanks everyone for your advice, it's been very helpful! I think the issue was that I intended to have it sit on my low waist (so used bigger measurement than high waist) but I got the distance between my hips and waist wrong so that moved the waist up to my high waist where it was too big. That (maybe) will make sense to Cool Girls, but probably not anyone else!

    I was thinking about some applique or screenprinting around the hem to funk it up a bit, but it was just my muslin so I'm not sure I'll bother... I definitely have some nicer fabric in mind for when I get the pattern right!

    @bron and pickled weasal: I did actually wear it with boots yesterday and it looked a bit better!

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  20. Unknown14 March 2010 at 13:19

    it looks pretty good, structurally. maybe you could embellish with a flounce on the bottom or a fun patch made from wooly sweaters or old t-shirts!

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