Sunday 28 July 2013

Sewing a Skirt

Hello Lovelies, 
I've got a different sort of ta-dah to share with you today . As I mentioned in my previous post I've been inspired by this lovely blog to do a bit of dressmaking..............


When I ordered this pattern I thought I would make the dress , but when I sat down and studied the instructions I realised it was quite a tricksy project that may end in frustration . I needed a do-able project, that would not end up half finished, to satisfy my garment making goal.


Another reason for making the skirt on this occasion was lack of fabric. I wanted to use up something from my stash and the skirt only required one and a half yards of fabric.......there was just enough of this pretty floral design I picked up in a charity shop ages ago..........


I don't have a lot of modern sewing gadgets like cutting wheels , but I do like this air erasable pen I bought after seeing one used by the supremely talented  Fiona at Marmalade Rose...........


My sewing skills are pretty rusty. I learnt at school , and then carried on making my own clothes at home in my teenage years and early twenties. In those days it was a good way of saving money as shop bought items were relatively expensive in comparison. These days the opposite is probably true. Fabric is expensive as are all the extras like patterns and thread etc.
But still I think there is something lovely about wearing a garment made by yourself, or making a garment for a loved one.
Though I would of liked more shop bought clothes when I was growing up I'm glad that necessity made me learn how to cope with the basics of dressmaking.........



I really enjoyed making this skirt. Any bits of hand sewing I did in the garden.........


Here is the finished object, Ta- dah.....


It took me quite a long time for such a simple project, I needed to use my brain a lot to remember skills that have not been needed for many years .
 I read and re-read the pattern instructions many times to try and avoid any mistakes. I stitched slooowly on mums old sewing machine to try and get a neat finish.
I'm especially proud of my stitching " in the ditch" where the waistband meets the skirt, you can barely see it at all.........


And the zipper turned out ok considering I didn't have a zipper foot for the machine.......

the pattern actually called for an invisible zip placed in the side seam , but I had no idea how to do that so I modified the pattern it include a back seam and placed the zip there ( to avoid the pockets )

Here is the inside hem and side seam.........


One of the things I liked most about this pattern were the roomy pockets . I used some pretty contrasting fabric for the lining .........



Sorry , there does seem to be rather a lot of close ups :0)... this is the waistband fastener...........


And finally ( phew ) I had a bit of fun adding an exclusive designer label :0)

I've had these labels  lying around for ages.

Here it is being modelled by me ( photos courtesy of Mr BM ) .........


It's very comfortable to wear and I think ( hope ) it looks flattering.......


Love those pockets......


I enjoyed making this skirt and I'm happy and relieved that it will actually get worn  . I'm even tempted to make another , now I'm familiar with the pattern. But then again maybe I ought to get back to one of my  crochet WIP's .
Jacquie x

54 comments:

  1. you did a wonderful job Jacquie!!!!! Brava!!!!
    xxxxx Ale

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    1. Looks really flattering and you did a great job!

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  2. It does indeed look flattering! Well done. Pretty fabric and practical pockets! I do prefer a garment with pockets. I'm a beginner dressmaker but I think I could do this so I'll add this to my list of clothes to make! Jen

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  3. Wow Jacquie it's wonderful - I don't think mine would have stood up to any close ups! You've reminded me of why I started to sew - again in my teens - which was because it was the only way I could afford to have something different - necessity certainly bred invention! How things change. Enjoy twirling around in the garden x Jane

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  4. Hi Jacquie, Nicely done!!!I do think you underestimate your sewing skills,I think you would have done just fine making the top!!!You should try it,we'd love to see it!!!Have a great day!!!
    Love
    AMarie

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  5. Bella y muy elegante!!me encanta ese estampado.
    Besos.

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  6. You've done a great job Jacquie, your skirt really suits you and the colour is gorgeous! I haven't made any clothes for years but have a few patterns bookmarked for when I'm brave enough. Only trouble is I've got so much curtain material in my stash we'll end up looking like the Von Trapp family!!

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  7. Well done, it looks really lovely! My sewing skills are VERY limited so I am in awe! You have such a super figure too! love, Tina xx

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  8. That is a lovely skirt. You look great in it too. I am working up to having a try myself and this is encouraging.

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  9. wow well done you,it looks great on you :)

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  10. your skirt is very pretty, I particularly like the contrasting fabric in the lining of the pockets, ali

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  11. You've made a lovely job of your skirt, it looks very professional! I bought some material yesterday to make a skirt over the summer holidays with big daughter for all the reasons you wrote about - it's a (sometimes) cheaper way for a teenager to expand her wardrobe and do something practical at the same time. I hope ours turns out as well as yours! x

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  12. I think you did a great job on your skirt. Your zipper, waistband and pleats look professionally done. You also look very attractive in it.

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  13. It looks fantastic! Well done!

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  14. Very cool. I think you did fantastic job on the finishing. It looks very neat. I am a novice when it comes to sewing. I am working on a tunic for my daughter, the pattern is simple enough. But I think I chose the wrong fabric, printed cotton for quilts, and now it looks like the entire tunic needs to be lined. The fabric you chose looks like a heavier weight cotton.So the drape of the skirt looks nice and ofcourse no lining required.

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  15. I love love it Jacquie, it looks so retro and gorgeous in design and I am so impressed with you putting in pockets, you are one clever lovely lady. Happy frolicking in your new skirt xox Penny

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  16. Hi Jacquie.The skirt turned out beautifully! I love the pockets. It is indeed flattering! Welll done!

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  17. Your skirt looks fab, and very inspiring, it's ages since I made anything to wear. Thanks for sharing!

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  18. Jacquie it's absolutely fantastic! I feel inspired to have a go myself. I've been thinking of you this week! I finally got around to starting a big Granny Square Blanket! Took a while didn't it? XXXX

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  19. It looks great and you did a beautiful!

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  20. It is very flattering indeed. I think it is great and if I can get pockets in a garment I do even if they weren't supposed to be there. I have finished an Autumn tunic (I am fashionably, a season ahead!!!)Check out here Jo x

    http://joeveryday19.blogspot.co.uk

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  21. Your skirt looks awesome! I love the fabric! On an other note, you always crack me up by calling your husband "Mr BM", because that's the word I use with my patients to talk about their bowel movements ;-)

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  22. Ooooh LOVE!!!! What a lovely skirt, well done. I've been having my eye one king one if Tilly's skirts, but just need some time. You look rather lovely in it my dear!! Xoxo

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  23. It looks terrific, Jacquie. Your work is beautiful and it looks very nice on you.

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  24. That skirt looks very good, I do like a skirt with room to walk and pockets and I too would have put the zip in the back. In fact if I can get the pattern I will do but I will use a button fastening, Hooks and eyes and me do not work well together.

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  25. Lovely skirt and most of all well don for finishing it. Some of my sewing projects have ended up in the duster bag along with 1 half knitted sock!!!

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  26. I love it!! I use to make skirts for myself a very long time ago....actually I began sewing at 10 years old, my parents presented me with my first sewing machine for my birthday because I was so into learning! Over the years...many, many skirts!!

    You did a fabulous job, and I love the fabric.

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  27. well done, it looks lovely, very flattering x

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  28. I think you did a FABULOUS job for someone that hasn't sewn in a long while. I was never an avid sewer but I am glad I learned some basics too. Your skirt looks very nice on you.

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  29. Beautiful! I love the fabric. Quite Laura Ashley-ish. X

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  30. Well done you! I haven't made anything like this since school which was hundreds of years ago!! The fabric is beautiful and it fits you like a glove. Well done again and I think I'll have a little go! xx

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  31. Love, love, love your skirt! Well done you for persisting it's gorgeous and looks fantastic on you :) Barb.

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  32. I love that skirt!! I love the deep pockets too. What pattern did you use?

    Leanne xx

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  33. Absolutely gorgeous, love the fabric, the colour, the pockets, the style, well in fact, everything. What a stunning piece of sewing, well done. You look lovely in it. A great post, love the photos. Thank you
    Lots of love
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxx

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  34. Excellent - it looks fab! I've been wanting to make some clothes too - maybe one day!
    Maria x

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  35. Hi, I just came here from Rhonda's Down to Earth blog. I love your blog and will be coming back. Love all your crafts you do.

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  36. Its years since i have done any sewing and it brings back memories seeing the Simplicity pattern. Love the red fabric...xx

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  37. I love it!! I'm about to make myself a skirt for my holiday next week. I'll let you know how it goes!

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  38. Well done! I am a patchworker, so I do use a machine a fair bit, but I haven't done any dressmaking for such a long time. So, when we were invited to our niece's wedding a couple of months ago, I decided to make a dress - something I hadn't done for about 20 years. The pattern selected was a vintage reproduction and the result was better than I expected. The dress is fully lined and it was not the easiest thing I could have tackled.
    The fact that the pattern you used also gives a dress option, I reckon you will be fine! If you can get a zipper and waist band on, a bodice isn't all that hard. I found taking it easy and slowly, reading everything twice before committing anything to the needle, scissors or rotary cutter, was the way to go. Basting is your best friend in dress making. I think you did really well and I hope you and your skirt get lots of adventures together. :)

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  39. Absolutely lovely!
    Julie xxxxxx

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  40. Gorgeous skirt! I'd love to make my own clothes. You are an inspiration!

    Gemma xXx

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  41. Olá, Jacquie! Sua saia ficou linda e adoro seu jardim, é maravilhoso! Beijos e boa semana!

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  42. Lovely sewing. It looks great and it suits you very well.

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  43. OLÀ!!!!
    PASSANDO PARA FAZER UMA VISITINHA E ACOMPANHAR AS NOVIDADES DO BLOG.
    PARABÉNS PELOS LINDOS TRABALHOS!!!!!

    HTTP://SIMONEBOANERGESARTESANATO.BLOGSPOT.COM.BR

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  44. It looks lovely, well done! X

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  45. Seriously impressed! Is there nothing you can't do? Maybe we will be seeing you on next year's Sewing Bee! Really love the pattern and it's a great shape skirt, the pockets are a boon!

    I still remember the advice you gave me when I was going to make that curtain - measure twice, cut once! Wise words :)

    Look forward to more sewing posts from you,

    Jones x

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  46. Hi Jacquie

    I am new to your blog, but have read your lovely posts and just wanted to say Hi! and how wonderful all the lovely things are that you have made, I love the crochet, the photos, the pictures you have drawn. You have very talented.

    Amy

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  47. It's very pretty. You did a great job. Makes me want to sew something besides quilts.

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  48. It's fabulous!! Love the shape, colour and pattern and those pockets are gorgeous. I've been plucking up the courage to do something similar but not managed it yet. Excellent skirt. x

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  49. Congratulations, your skirt is gorgeous. I aspire to make my own clothes, but have not yet quite overcome my trepidation. Your post has made me start thinking about looking at some patterns, thank you!

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  50. What a lovely print! I can never think of good ways to combine red, yellow and white, but daisies work perfectly. And the skirt looks lovely on you. You should post this in the sewing section of Kollabora, the crafting and DIY community! We love seeing different people's Simplicity projects.

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  51. Your skirt looks lovely!
    Like you I used to make my own clothes when I was a teenager and in my 20s because it was a lot cheaper to do so, and it guaranteed not seeing anyone else wearing the same thing. Nowadays I get my uniqueness by refashioning clothes, but I've got a couple of pieces of vintage fabric that I'm waiting to find the right patterns for to make dresses.

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