09 Oct Sevier Skirts Party
One of the determining factors to give up buying clothes for a year came after my daughter and I attended a Sevier Skirts trunk show at a friend’s home. Let me begin by saying the woman who started this company is brilliant…
Several years ago, one of my best friends suggested she and I start a skirt company. Her ideas were general and I couldn’t envision how to develop a successful skirt business so we moved on. Then I attended a Sevier Skirt Party in August.
Sevier Skirts offer customers the choice of three styles of skirts; pencil, a-line and swing, along with hundreds of fabric samples so that customers design their own skirts which are delivered in two weeks. The first person I saw when I walked in the door was an attractive woman wearing a pencil skirt made out of the window treatment fabric in my den.
She was the sales rep.
Women were swarming around the fabric racks stocked with a mix of familiar clothing and upholstery fabrics. The average price for a skirt was $170.00, and even though I sew, I bought three skirts – two for my daughter and one for me. I can’t really explain why. I knew I could make these skirts. I knew they were overpriced, but the intrigue of it all overpowered my self-control and I spent $561.00. My daughter loves her skirts and I just hope I wear mine.
It’s very pretty but I wonder if I bought it just to see how this fabric would make up in a skirt.
For weeks I’ve been thinking about these women wearing $170 skirts made of inexpensive home decorating fabric and so last week I bought some to make my own skirt.
It’s cute, but I haven’t worn it yet because the weather is still warm . Also, I’m still preparing my response in case I hear someone compare my skirt to a sofa. Any ideas??
Lakaribane
Posted at 07:45h, 10 OctoberMy answer would be : ” And your point is?” with a cold, fixed stare and silence. Actually, an innocent face with the fixed stare works just as well, I find.
Great job on centering the pattern, btw. I have made several garments from upholstery fabric in the past. In fact, I often buy remnants during my trips to the US and always ask the salesperson (who thinks he/she is helping by pointing out my “mistake”) to keep my secret for me *wink*
And I think $170 US for a skirt such as you describe is insanity. I’m not judging you but I’m in awe of this business idea!!!
Obviously, since I sew most of my clothes, I would love to have $170 US to spend on fabric and notions LOL!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:25h, 10 OctoberThank you! I’ve been rather silly about worrying about this upholstery fabric issue. I put my skirt on and gave it a test run today and know I’m going to love it! My response will be…..
” Really?!! Oh wow!! I bet it’s a beautiful sofa!!!”
Sometimes it takes an insane act to bring one back around – and that was my $561.00 purchase! I love sewing again.
pinkstar
Posted at 12:05h, 10 OctoberYour Blog is very inspiring!! That is just what I want to do..knock-offs cause I can’t afford the designer digs but love well-made clothing.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:30h, 10 OctoberThank you so much! I thought I could afford the designer clothes but wondered why I was always out of money. Let’s see……………
It’s fun to try and figure out what the secret is to a great RTW, but I’m learning it’s not as easy as it appears. However, to get it right is always reason to celebrate and keep on sewing!
Thanks for your comments.
Bethsews
Posted at 21:23h, 10 OctoberLove this skirt! And now it is cooling off so you can wear. I am inspired, once I get a good-fitting skirt pattern, think of all the upholstery fabric just waiting out there…
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:11h, 12 OctoberThanks, Beth. After visiting the Sevier Skirts show I left thinking one can never have too many skirts! I’d really like to find some pretty silks prints for tops and am not having much luck in the area. Online shopping might be my only option.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:12h, 12 OctoberBeth – Actually I wore the skirt out two days ago for a test run and loved it – was completely comfortable in my sofa fabric!
prttynpnk
Posted at 17:28h, 22 OctoberYour fabric is so textural, I love it! Who could be anything but envious?
Saysew
Posted at 22:23h, 13 MarchI enjoyed reading this story, as I too have fallen hard for Sevier skirts. I was fortunate enough to attend one of their off the rack sample sales where I scored 4 skirts for 70% off the normal prices and have been on the hunt for a sewing pattern similar to their a line and swing skirts ever since. None of the ones that are in pattern books are lined like the Sevier skirts are. Any ideas? They are so comfortable and flattering and the unexpected fabric choices make them wonderfully different and fresh.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:21h, 14 MarchMany thanks for writing and what a bargain you found at 70% off! Have you found any patterns that resemble Sevier Skirts? I usually have to add a lining to most of my skirts. You may want to invest in this Sew What! Skirts which teaches you how to design a skirt. Good luck and do let me know when you find or make a similar pattern!