Saturday, July 17, 2010

Skirt week

Even though I've been promising everyone I'll have more project sacks made and on Etsy soon, I couldn't help myself and made a skirt last night. Not the skirt in the creative space post last Thursday (although that is the middle of being sewn up as I type) but a second skirt cut out at the same time, from the same pattern. Clever!

Red tartan skirt

Or so I thought. On spreading the fabric out on my cutting board, I discovered that I had  bought only 120 cm of fabric for each skirt, not the 160 cm I usually buy. So this skirt (and the one currently being sewn) is a shorty with a very small hem. Not so bad I suppose, when you wear tights with it.

My mum sewed most of my clothes when I was growing up, and if there's one thing I learnt from her it was to match up your stripes and checks on the side seams. Sorry Mum - the stripes definitely don't match! And this is the problem when you fail to buy enough fabric.


Red tartan skirt

I bought the fabric from Spotlight. It's a wool blend, with an emphasis on the "blend". I think there is only about 15% wool in this, which is only an issue when trying to press it - I just couldn't get sharply pressed seams and hems. Still, the fabric is a beauty - only $14.99 a metre, nicely woven and thick enough and smooth enough for the skirt not to need lining.

The pattern is Butterick 6841, of course. I think this might be my 6th skirt in this pattern, and it won't be my last.

The charcoal tights are from We Love Colors. Gosh, I love them so much. I was reading Frances' blog a couple of months ago where she reviewed them. I was so pleased to see the review as I'd had my eye on them for ages, but was a little doubtful that a company could sell plus-sized tights in 51 colours. I mean, how good could these tights really be? I'm used to being punished for being fat by only having black tights available to me. Having bought four pairs in different colours I'm now a believer and I'll be buying more very soon. Check out Frances' post for the special code which offers free postage down under until the end of August.

8 comments:

  1. Thanks for the link - I'm off to check out coloured tights!
    PS - I always forget such things as matching up repeat patterns. As long as you don't stand sideways, nobody will notice...hee hee!

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  2. I love your skirt - it looks really fabulous!

    And tights in 51 colours sounds like a dream ... I can't wait to go look. As a plus-sized, black tight-wearer I will be in heaven!!

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  3. The skirt is gorgeous, and I'm thinking I might need some tights too.

    Hope you're having a fabulous weekend.

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  4. Looks great!!
    I made a dress for Charley when she was little but also failed to buy enough fabric for the whole thing. The disaster was made worse by the fact that the fabric was multi-coloured candy stripes! I finished the dress but she only wore it at home since the front had horizontal stripes and the back had vertical ones!!

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  5. 51 colours? Wow, what a public service announcement! I like your skirt too :)

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  6. mmmm, I am a big fan of coloured tights!

    Not to mention red tartan skirts!

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  7. Great skirt and great tights! Love some colour!

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  8. Thanks so much for that link. I've just ordered some. Think back in ancient history, like 60s. I bought at some exorbitant price a pair of scarlet tights. I wore them at uni when such things were very daring. They lasted for years and became a signature. I've looked several times in shops this winter for more colours but wasn't successful. I'll be getting more.
    Jan
    http;//passtheslippedstitchover.blogspot.com

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