16 Aug A Skirt and Upcoming Event!
I can’t understand how a single trip would knock me for a blogging loop but it happened. I’ve been traveling with my mother ~ wonderful trip but we are both glad to be home from Chautauqua.
Hi There 🤗
What’s so wonderful about this skirt? I asked myself the same question when I saw a similar pair of $600 linen shorts on the Moda Operandi website.
Obviously it’s the designer’s ingenious use of stripes since the shorts are not lined or hemmed ! (The edges are serged.) However, I loved it and got busy adapting the look to suit my style.
Mood Fabrics Red and White Stripe Woven Linen looked almost identical. I ordered enough to sew a top too but starting with the skirt was priority.
I began with New Look 6492, a skirt pattern I had sewn before.
Believe it or not I made a muslin of the skirt to check out the flounce. I learned that subtlety was key for the skirt’s success. The flounce was too full and I needed to save the bias cut stripes for the small ruffle. I also realized I would need to shorten the bodice of the skirt by two inches to get the double layer ruffle proportions just right.
To get a slight gather on the lower ruffle, I cut a piece of fabric the same length as the pattern’s original flounce and 1-1/4 times the width of the lower edge. I began with a piece 1-1/2 times the width but the ruffle was too full.
The top ruffle is a two inch bias strip which is 1-1/2 times the width of the skirt.
I chose to hem the lower ruffle and serge the edge of the upper ruffle.
I left off the waistband for two reasons.
1 – A large horizontal stripe waistband and bow with a tucked in top is a huge no-no for someone who is 5’2″.
2 – I plan to add waistline detail to the top.
I lined the skirt to the ruffle with Bemberg Rayon and used an invisible zipper in the back.
I truly love the finished skirt!
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SEPTEMBER 6, 7, 8
Join Julie Starr and me in Plano, TX. We are guests of the Plano Chapter of the American Sewing Guild on September 6th, 7th, and 8th.
On Thursday, September 6 Julie and I will be at the fabric store, Fabrique, 3801 W. President George Bush Highway, Plano from 6PM to 8PM for a Meet & Greet. I know there is a large group of 2018 Ready to Wear Fasters in Plano whom I look forward to meeting, but the Meet & Greet is open to the public with free admission. To attend, please register for planning purposes here at http://rtwfasters2018september.eventzilla.net. Please come and say hello!
Kathleen A Kolb
Posted at 06:50h, 16 AugustAs usual you took something simple and made it so fun and totally perfect. Thank you for sharing!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:17h, 16 AugustMy pleasure, Kathleen! I’m amazed at the simplicity of many RTW expensive clothes 😉
Rebecca Bagwell
Posted at 07:08h, 16 AugustYou did a great job adapting the skirt to your style! I don’t usually like flounces, but I love this!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:18h, 16 AugustThank you, Becky! Actually, I omitted the flounce and used a very slight ruffle 😉
Sandy
Posted at 08:28h, 16 AugustYour version is adorable. I can’t believe it was that much with a hem that has just been serged.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:20h, 16 AugustI couldn’t believe it either Sandy! Maybe there is something special about the linen, but whatever it is I’m glad I could easily make something 😊
Linda Berube
Posted at 08:37h, 16 AugustYour skirt is adorable! As a fellow 5’2”-er, I had to nod in agreement at that wide horizontal waistband! Your version is perfectly scaled and toned down. Can’t wait to see the top!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:21h, 16 AugustThank you, Linda! I’m working on muslins now 😉
Laureen Larrison
Posted at 08:39h, 16 AugustLove love love it! and simple enough I might actually be able to squeeze out some time to make one!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:23h, 16 AugustYou can do it, Laureen! As I said, subtlety was the key to success – nothing too sophisticated.😉
Patricia Flournoy
Posted at 08:54h, 16 AugustI absolutely love it. Can’t wait to get home to my machine and make something “like” it. Congratulations on another great creation!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:23h, 16 AugustMany thanks, Patricia! Can’t wait to see yours 😊
PsychicSewerKathleen
Posted at 09:44h, 16 AugustI always enjoy seeing how you’ve taken an inspiration garment (and it’s exorbitant cost – yikes $600 for that pair of shorts is wild!) and made something that suits YOU with some of the details included that obviously grabbed your eye. You know us fasters are keenly re-ignited 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:26h, 16 AugustThat’s what it’s all about, Kathleen! Many thanks for the comment 😊
Kathleen-Marie Tracey
Posted at 10:19h, 16 AugustOutstanding in its simplicity and overall look. Takes a lot of detail oriented sense to pull off such a lovely outfit. Hats off to you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:28h, 16 AugustHi Kathleen! It really just took making a muslin to figure it out. 😂 Many thanks for your comment!
Barbara Barrett
Posted at 10:45h, 16 AugustOver the top smart, clever and creative…as usual!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:28h, 16 AugustAh……. that’s so nice, Barbara🤗 Many thanks!
Jo Barley
Posted at 10:55h, 16 AugustVery cute! The fabric reminds me of seersucker.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:29h, 16 AugustThank you, Jo! It does have the same look and seersucker could work if the upper ruffle is not too stiff 😉
Leigh
Posted at 13:04h, 16 AugustCute? Do skirts have bodices??? I thought that was the top half of the body. ?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 13:34h, 16 August😂 Let’s make that – I lined the skirt to the ruffle –
Gerhild Turner
Posted at 17:02h, 16 AugustBeautiful, as usual. And what a surprise for me since I teach sewing at the Austin Community College and this pattern is the one my students have to sew, even though they have never sewn before. However, they are sewing the A-line skirt which is easier than the one with the ruffle. I like the idea of the double ruffle. Since I was teaching today, I showed my students your blog and how the pattern can be changed up. Thank you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:50h, 16 AugustThank you for showing your students the blog, Gerhild! Once they gain their confidence, making adjustments will be very doable 😉 Many thanks for your comment!
Mary Funt
Posted at 21:14h, 16 AugustLove the skirt! You’ve done a great job of adapting the design for your body. I can’t agree more that any horizontal waist detail would totally overpower a 5”2” figure. I also love to duplicate high end details. It’s amazing what some simple designs sell for. Too bad Texas is so far away; I would have loved to attend the event.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:52h, 16 AugustMany thanks, Mary! Your latest posts and projects are simply awe-inspiring 🙂🙂 Can’t wait to read more!
Catherine
Posted at 03:43h, 17 AugustFabulous! So classic, but so gorgeous with the ruffle.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:12h, 17 AugustCatherine,
Thank you so much! It’s always fun to add a twist to a classic garment🙂
Blak blanc
Posted at 22:41h, 17 AugustSo beautiful, love this and it looks so,chic on you.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:51h, 20 AugustMany thanks, Vanessa! Trial and error was definitely the way to go on this one 😉
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:52h, 20 AugustThank you!!
Vanessa
Posted at 14:31h, 18 AugustI love the skirt on you, and think it was smart to trial the ruffles and adjust them to your liking. The end result fits perfectly, and looks wonderful on you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:52h, 20 AugustMany thanks, Vanessa! Trial and error was definitely the way to go on this one 😉
Judy Walker
Posted at 19:30h, 19 AugustHi Sarah, I just love this look. As usual a wonderful personalisation of a idea! Perfect from top to tail ….. speaking of tail, can you please tell me where the shoes are from. I have been looking for something just them for a while now.
Judy xox
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:50h, 20 AugustThank you, Judy! The shoes are from Baehr Fee https://www.baehrfeet.com and are Vaneli 😉
Liselotte Johansson
Posted at 16:01h, 25 AugustThe skirt suits you very well.
Patricia M Ferrito
Posted at 20:43h, 26 AugustChautauqua? I live not far away. Do you and mom go there every year? If so, next year we may have to have you come to our ASG chapter in WNY. Don’t you love Chautauqua? it’s so peaceful- and thought provoking at the same time.