Sunday, June 7, 2015

The "Stealth Pyjamas" Knit Skirt

A few weeks ago, just when we were starting to get a taste of what winter in Canberra was likely to be this year (answer: freaking cold and windy and OMG get me a hot toddy STAT) I rocked up to my local fabric store and spotted some gorgeous red faux quilted ponte stuff. Except it was snuggly in ways that ponte could never be. I resisted that day because all I could think to make was a self-drafted elastic-waisted straight skirt and that's just boring. So I bought some other fabric for other projects, and put the thought of the red quilted snuggly knit out of my mind.

Until a week later when I went back and bought half a metre of it because I couldn't get it out of my mind, like the insane woman I am.

Red quilted knit skirt

I sat on the fabric for a couple of weeks while I quilted quilts, until my friend Amanda made and blogged her Moneta/Violet Frankenfrock from the same fabric (but in black) which she described as "stealth pyjamas". Are you kidding me? Get me on the PJ train!

The first day I had free from quilts (oh blessed day that was) I made this skirt. To be honest, it would have taken me less time to buy the Colette Mabel pattern, print it out, stick it together, cut out the fabric and sew it. Except I don't really like the Mabel pattern, and I'm a bit stubborn.

First I measured my hips, and sewed up a back seam using those measurements for a snug fit. I realised then that the bulk of the skirt with an elasticated waist would end up being mega bulky, so I created some side seams and shaped them to be less bulky at the waist.

Red quilted knit skirt

My only problem with this method is that I should have switched the single back seam to a side seam and created another side seam on the other side. That would have done away with a back seam altogether instead of having a knit skirt with three seams. I can be such a sewing noob at times...

Red quilted knit skirt

I constructed all the seams with my overlocker, and they bubbled like crazy to the point I couldn't even steam out the wonk. That's when I realised my new overlocker had a very close stitch. I lengthened the stitche length to 4, and redid the seams (no I didn't unpick them - I just took another run and made the skirt a little, ahem, slimmer.

Red quilted knit skirt

I absolutely adore this skirt. It's comfortable, and it really does feel like I'm wearing stealth pyjamas. I can see me wearing this every single day through winter - it's warm and cosy and I'm not forever pulling my skirt up like I do with non-elasticated ones.

Red quilted knit skirt

The fabric gets a lot of comments because it is quite unusual and begs touching. And did I mention comfortable? I can see me getting another half metre in the black and pulling another skirt out of the hat, except without a back seam next time, and maybe less waist again.

Red quilted knit skirt

Because a girl can never be too comfortable when it's freezing cold outside.

17 comments:

  1. Such a winning skirt Michelle and how great does it look with that heart cardi! GORGEOUS!!

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    1. Thanks Kirsty! I'm actually wearing it still in front of the TV - can't bear to take it off and put my really PJs on!

      I do love this apcardi - I've had it such a long time, and it's up for replacing, but I've only just been able to get those buttons to close all the way so I'll keep it in the closet for now! Hint - I have some lovely black and red printed knit that will be its replacement.

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  2. An utterly gorgeous skirt!! And it looks as though it was made to be worn with that cardi. I love that the photos were taken in front of the autumn leafy bush vine too.

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    1. Thanks Rachael! It also goes perfectly with a grey and black striped tops I have. So versatile!

      Total coincidence about the bush (which is a viburnum - our garden came with every species of viburnum known to mankind I think). But yes it did come out well!

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  3. You are the boss of stealth PJs, you saucy lady! How did we avoid patting each other's awesome makes at drinks the other weeks?

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    1. I am pretty sure we were too busy feeling up Siobhan's glitter bomb skirt.

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  4. Wow! It looks brilliant. Not insane at all not being able to stop thinking of fabric. Looks awesome, comfortable and warm... WINNING!!!

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  5. And it looks so fabulous with that cardi!
    Perfection!

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  6. I think there's a stealth pj movement that's gaining momentum! I'm so with you ! That fabric does look pretty gorgeous, I think you do need a black one ....

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    1. Ah thank you! Between Amanda and I, I think the stealth pj movement is GO! (I might be going shopping for a black one on Friday ...)

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  7. The entire combination (skirt, cardigan, tree behind you) is great! It was the right decision to buy the fabric: I would not been able to get this fabric out of my mind either!

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    1. I love it when a decision that seemed great at the time pays off! Thanks Inna!

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  8. This fabric is awesome! Perfect for skirt, comfy and warm for winter brr brrR

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    1. Soooooo comfy for winter. I could live in this skirt! And I probably will. (I'm annoyed I got chocolate on it when I had a choc top at the movies on Sunday. This means the skirt is out of action until I do the laundry on Saturday!)

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  9. Stealth PJs are THE BEST. I think you and Amanda have convinced me that what I really need this winter is some of that pretty. Maybe in a nice, full skirt...

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    1. DO IT BEC you know you want to!! One of your full skirts would be PERFECT! A circle perhaps.

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