Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: A Skirt That Tested My Skills


Recently, I've happily been able to reintroduce skirts into my wardrobe! I have really been looking for interesting skirt silhouettes and Vogue 8750 definitely fits the bill.


I picked up this J. Crew tweed during a designer fabric sale. It's a 50/50 wool/poly blend with lovely little flecks of orange, brown and pink. It washed up well (the hand of the fabric softened just a bit) and takes a press nicely. I really enjoyed working with it and am so happy to have enough left for a jacket! 

I just loved those seam lines on the pattern and was happy to see that the shortest, fuller version only needed 1 5/8 yards of fabric.

Typical for me with skirts, I cut a size 16 front and 18 back. There are lots of notches and other marks to help keep everything lined up. Because my fabric is highly textured, I used tailor tacks to keep track of all of the markings.

The pattern calls for grosgrain ribbon to finish the waist. When this treatment is used, I like to use strips of interfacing at the waist rather than staystitching.


I also interfaced the zipper area with 1" strips to reduce buckling once the invisible zipper is in. 


At my daughter's insistence, I went with an orange zipper. 


Here you can see where I marked the second side of the zipper to ensure I matched across the yoke seam. 


I decided that I wanted to line the skirt, but this decision was made after construction of the main skirt was almost complete. I knew I didn't want to line the flounces because I didn't want the skirt to get too heavy. But I wasn't certain how to go about lining it without ripping out seams. I took to Instagram for advice and received two great suggestions: 1) Use an A-Line lining or 2) Underline it.

But of course, there was a catch! I had gone on the hunt for my lining fabric which I'd bought 8 yards of! Not finding it anywhere, I found this magenta polyester pongee (also from Fabric Mart) scrap that was large enough to cut the needed pattern pieces from. I had already cut everything out before posting on Instagram so 1) I did not have enough lining to recut and 2) I did not want to rip out seams to underline it.

I decided to construct the lining pieces and finish the waist as usual.

Understitched lining

lining attached to zipper by machine




I always have an issue with the zipper tape at the corners. Will have to work on that!


The lining is only attached at the waist and zipper, and then is allowed to hang free, with hand tacking at the hem.

I ended up serging the raw ends since there would now be exposed seam allowances. This skirt was turning very colorful, very fast! But I like it!



This photo shows how I ended up with a topstitched hem! I was going to use hem tape as I really liked the length as-is when it was unhemmed. However, there is lots and lots of fabric at the hem and I ran out of hem tape. Deciding that the texture and color in the fabric could easily hide a topstitched hem; I went for it! I'm satisfied with the outcome.

It twirls!





Initially, I wasn't in love with the side panels. Once it was finished, and made into an 'outfit', I nearly began to like it a whole lot more. In the back, you can see it rides up a bit. I'll make a note to add a wedge to the back.

I made it a bit extra work for myself, but it was still a very satisfying project and I can't wait to sew my jacket with the tweed! Hurry, there are 23.5 yards left!!

- Nakisha from Sew Crafty Chemist

Comments

  1. Handsome work!
    Will some wise human do a tutorial on dealing with zipper tape? So far (at age 56) each new technique I use either does not work or will not wear for long (cutting it anywhere near the top will fail in time). My only sure fire solution is to not run the zipper up all the way to the top edge. And maybe that's how it's supposed to be, but you can't blame a gal for trying.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks SJ! I always do this and then think "There's got to be a better way!" :)

      Delete
  2. I really like those side panels. I play an instrument that requires me sitting and in a very unladylike position. I think a longer version of this just might work for me when I'm playing, Looks great on you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah cello?? My daughter plays euphonium and trombone :)

      I hope you make it! It was very easy to put together!

      Delete
  3. So cute! You did an excellent job on this. I do the same with "making an outfit" - a make I'm not in love with can become my favorite thing when I ditch the sweatpants and junky t-shirt and add accessories, shoes and nicer clothes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly! Add to that if you're scowling at it while wearing junky t-shirt and sweatpants!

      Delete
  4. Great skirt! And yay for twirling!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love it especially at that length,, the longer the skirt length the fuller it would be, with so much fullness at the sides its all about choosing the right fabric. Which you did☺.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love your skirt. Looks great on you and I love the twirl!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love the pattern you chose!! Looks great on you. I think my daughter would like this.
    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love this- the orange zipper, the fuschia lining- it all is so much fun! You look fantastic in it too!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cute skirt :)
    BLOG M&MFASHIONBITES : http://mmfashionbites.blogspot.gr/
    Maria V.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the flutters at the side seam! Looks like a great basic with a kick!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It looks great on you. Good job!

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is just the type of skirt that I love.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made By A Fabricista: Did someone say FREE??? All about Free Sewing Patterns

Hi sewing friends! I am SEW excited to share this blog post with you today! This is my fifth post with Fabric Mart since I did a guest post late last year and then joined the blogging team in 2024 but I would say this is the post that 1) I worked the hardest to create, and 2) the one that has me the most excited! Today I am going to talk about FREE sewing patterns, showcase a few free patterns I’ve sewn, and then share some very exciting news at the end of this post about an upcoming! First, let’s talk about free patterns – where they come from, why they exist, and how you can find them. But first, here’s a recent free pattern I sewed. This is the Finn Crop Tee from Petite Stitchery . I used an ITY (Interlock Twist Yarn) for this one and I was able to squeeze it out a yard of a fabric. ITY is one of my favorite fabrics to dress up a t-shirt and it wears well across all seasons. And Fabric Mart gets the most AMAZING designer deadstock designs you will ever see! Petite Stitchery offers...

Made By A Fabricista: Fall is here!

Fall is here, and I have been in a coat/cape mood lately! I have a few that I plan to make, however, this pattern was not in the plans. It was in my stash, but it wasn’t on my “must make” list. I wanted to make a coordinating set but I thought it might be a little too much with this print. Now, I absolutely love animal prints, don’t get me wrong. I am a sucker for them! When I saw this jacquard double knit I had to have it. Instead, I decided to make an easy, comfortable cape that I can wear casually or dressed up. This pattern and fabric were perfect! The pattern I chose to make is McCall’s 8029. This cape has three designs that you can choose from. I chose to make view C. View C has a hood. All three views have a neck and front facing and a belt/tie. Now, if you are wanting to make a cape but would like something on the easy side, this is your cape! I didn’t realize just how easy this was prior to getting started. This cape has minimal sewing. It doesn’t even require a hem. Which, w...

Made by a Fabricista: Structure

Hi everyone!  I can’t believe the year is nearly wrapping up already and this is my last post for 2024! You may have noticed but the barrel silhouette has been very much in right now from pants to sleeves.  To be honest I was a little bit hesitant about hopping on to the trend.  One I was not sure if the proportions would work for my body also I considered would this be a long lasting trend to keep incorporated in my closet?  But after a few seasons the barrel seems to stay in many variations, I think exaggerated proportions are such a thing now.  I saw this Cult Gaia x Gap denim dress collab with the barrel sleeves and wanted to remake it.  When I saw this brown distressed denim twill I knew it was perfect.  I had been debating between making cargo pants but I wanted to try to do something different and went for the dress once I saw the inspiration.   I used McCall’s pattern 8139 as my base with the following modifications.  Instead of...