Monday 8 February 2010

2 Skirts in 2 Metres

More of my seasonal sewing exploits ... here are 2 skirts I drafted and made from 2 metres of lovely 100% wool suiting fabric.  It was an absolute dream to work with,  but very difficult to photograph when one is on one's own!  Because it's wool, the fabric can be pre-shrunk by steaming it with the steam iron.  Steaming after completion can also help with making the darts nice and smooth so that they are barely visible on the finished garment.  

The first is just a regular pencil skirt, on the knee so that it's compatible with my boots, and with a split on each side.  This skirt is an exceptionally easy adaptation of the basic skirt block and as you can see, gives a lovely 'tailored' look.  I love it, and it took only a few hours to run up.  It isn't lined which is a mistake as with certain tights (and not others, curiously), it does ride embarrassingly up the legs while walking so i am going to have to make a slip to go underneath it.

The second skirt isn't very clear from this picture .. it's a semi fitted/semi flared 2 part skirt which joins together with an inverted 'V' at the front and back.  This was actually a mistake! I meant to put the "V" on the side, but completely forgot about the rules of symmetry when drafting the pattern, and by the time I'd realised the error of my ways, I'd cut the fabric out!  I know! .. Well in my defense, it was near Christmas, I had probably had one sherry too many or something ...

Now bear with me while I try to figure out how to draw a clear and concise diagram on Illustrator, so that I can show you the skirt block and how to make it ... or maybe the best thing is just do draw it and photograph the drawing!!  I will be working on that over the next few days.




15 comments:

Faye Lewis said...

You have two beautiful new skirts! Love, love, love the pencil skirt - which is my favorite type of skirt but I also love the sporty flair one too. Just finished one in wool blend myself and love it too. Before I learned to line skirts I use to wear a thick tricot slip that my Granny gave me. Finally, I just bit the bullet and forced myself to learn skirt lining - haven't looked back since cause it's not very hard at all.

Anonymous said...

I like both of them, but the second one is my fav! Flippy bottoms are so flattering (and sexy!).

Ms. B @ Millie Deel said...

Oh I love both of them!!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

You must have something new to wear every day of the week :o) Those are both gorgeous skirts..so flattering!

Gina said...

Both look lovely.

Indigo Blue said...

Your blog certainly takes me back to my degree days! Made quite a few skirts during that time. I would draw it out and photograph the drawing, then you can get on to the next garment! I have a skirt cut out and hope to make it up during half-term.
x

Trudy said...

Love the skirts, especially the second one.

Thedarkerside73 said...

Love the skirts! Really lovely and very wintery in an elegant way. The second is definately coming out as my favourite.



MBBx

Pipany said...

Blooming bloglines is driving me mad! I just found the last two posts by accident Julia. Ok, moan over. Loved the last post about dart and the skirts are great. As for these skirts - yes please to the skirt block (and what is it?) x

Kathi D said...

Well, of course, the fit and the finish are ALL. Makes them look like a million bucks!

Kathi D said...

And Pipany, I've been having problems with bloglines updating my list, too. Pfffft!

silverpebble said...

Julia they're fabulous. I love the flippy flared one. I'm going to find your skirt blocks invaluable.

Diane said...

Beautiful stylish and very individual garments - I love them.

Joanna Butchart said...

i searched the shops high and low yesterday for a skirt just like the second one and couldnt find it. Will get some fabric and get busy with the machine. Love them both well done. I have only made one skirt before from a pattern which was a huge success but have lost 2 stone since i made it so have to work out how to take it in.

sanjeet said...

I just bit the bullet and forced myself to learn skirt lining - haven't looked back since cause it's not very hard at all.
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