I had the fabric, and I had the pattern. But I had no time. Nor did I have much inclination.
But it so happened that I found an unexpected hour-long "window of no obligation" on the 21st in between getting the car cleaned, delivering the second last boiled fruit cake to a sick friend and heading to a medical appointment. So I pulled out the fabric, pattern, my cutting board, pins and scissors, and got to work.
In 15 minutes I had a cut-out skirt. Most of that time was spent positioning some cute birds on the skirt - in the end I had to settle for them sitting at the top of the skirt, not the bottom of the skirt as I'd hoped.
After 30 minutes I had a half-sewn skirt.
I had a perfect fit without the waistband on it, and I knew that thanks to my weird lopsided stomach (thanks gallbladder surgery!) the waistband would only destroy a great fit, especially if I wore a t-shirt over the top of it (the waistband would just poke through). So later on that night when I should have been sleeping, I used some 100% cotton grosgrain ribbon as a facing instead. I added a hook and eye, sewed a hem, and chucked it in the wash to dry the next day.
Except I'd forgotten that although I'd prewashed my fabric, I hadn't washed the grosgrain ribbon, and the skirt waist puckered. It ironed out OK, but the result was actually better than expected - that sucker came in at my waist like nobody's business, and I had myself the perfect skirt! FINALLY!
On Christmas morning it went perfectly with my orange Salts so I happily trotted off to church wearing this year's Christmas Day skirt. I also made a salad in it, ate lunch in it, took a long nap in it, and then drove to Melbourne and sat up all afternoon and night having dinner and talking to my friend. Still wearing it. So comfy. Perfect fit. Loved it.
And the best thing? Besides having the perfect skirt? I managed to avoid a Jesus Arms Butt Incident. It was a Christmas Miracle.
Details:
Pattern: McCalls 3507 (out of print)
Fabric: Medium-weigh cotton print from IKEA
Modifications: Lots. Hip seams out, darts increased, grosgrain ribbon (1 inch) facing instead of waistband, back seam split sewn up. Longer zip used than usual (it was in my sizable zip stash)
Started and finished: 21 December 2012, possibly less than two hour's work in total.
Perfect! I wondered if was an awesome Ikea print, they are great for skirts. I love that idea instead of a waistband- my odd sizing and short waist mean they ride up under my armpits each time I sit down if I do a proper waistband, so I might given this a god. Yay for the Christmas skirt!
ReplyDeleteLooks super, and well worth finding the time to whip it up. If you have a small bit of time in the New Year (ha, ha, I know) would you be able to do a quick rundown on the waistband - it looks super, simple, and just what a few of us need to perfect this area of a skirt...J
ReplyDeleteIt looks fantastic Michelle. Your whole outfit looks great, I particularly like that your Saltwater Sandals matches the orange bird!
ReplyDeleteLove the skirt - it's a perfect print! I'm a massive fan of the faced waistline - I never use a waistband on any of my skirts if I possibly avoid it. I am far too short waisted and thick waisted. You're making me think that I need a trip into Ikea to check out their fabrics again soon!
ReplyDeleteOMG I LOVE your skirt!!! Those birds are delightful! And the sandals are a perfect match.
ReplyDeleteI love the grosgrain (or is that petersham?) ribbon on the waistband, it's such a great and comfy way to finish it off.
Lovely!!
Just looked to see what Jesus arm butt meant - hilarious, takes the the meaning of 'holey' than thou to a new level , if you fart you could get good elevation with that miraculous arm spanse, my imagination runs wild and obviously a little on the filthy side. Love the sewing comments on the material. oh the skirt sewing is wonderful I'm still waiting to see what you will whip up with the lovely blue/grey material which you showed in the neglected piles a few posts ago.. no pressure youve got a whole new year to tackle that one! Happy New Yew
ReplyDeleteGreat skirt! (You know I love the butt arms.)
ReplyDeleteWhat charming fabric! A great Christmas skirt.
ReplyDeleteLove the fabric...well done getting it made
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteI have some very special fabric on the way to make a very special dress and I'm having heart palpitations already about cutting it out so that the pattern on the fabric works perfectly. Although Jesus arms are extremely amusing!
Great skirt! Love that print. And I might be headed to Ikea on Friday...
ReplyDelete