Fendi
Alberta Ferretti
I normally wear straight pencil skirts to streamline my lower half. But, I've been wanting try new silhouettes lately, and Simplicity 2512, a Cynthia Rowley pattern, appealed to me because of the tulip-shaped gathered skirt.
I saw a lovely version of S2512 on PR, so I decided to go for it. I'm really glad I did, because this turned out to be a really cool skirt!
I think I broke a cardinal apparel sewing rule: I made this out of a home decor fabric. It's a remnant from a local textile mill that makes high-end home decor fabric. There's a little factory store in the basement that sells overstock, designer rejects, and remnants. This almost-digitized leopard print was a $3 piece on the remnant table. It is a thick linen that was marked one yard, but ended up being over a yard and a half. I could not imagine it as curtains, but did see a skirt!
I made some major design changes: I removed the yoke's sweetheart shape. I wanted a simpler silhouette for this busy pattern. I traced the pattern onto brown wrapping paper, and drew a straight line from end to end to make the straight top.
I also did not do the bias binding, but instead combined the two facings. If you do this, be sure to add a seam allowance to the top and sides because in the pattern version a seam allowance is not included because the pieces are joined with binding.
Finally, I did not include the tie. I made it, and intended to place it on the skirt at the end, but determined that I really liked the skirt yoke the way it is.
The gathering was really difficult on this thick fabric. I don't know how the previous reviewer did it in denim. I could not get it to gather at all through the pockets. The gathering at the front, especially, is really thick: you have to force about a foot and a half of fabric into 4 inches.
The back and sides are as voluminous as the front, which might not appeal to some.
The thick gathering gives the skirt its modern, voluminous shape. I'm really happy with it. I'll probably wear it casually, and perhaps to work in the fall with opaque black stockings and pointy flats. I'd like to make another version of this in a lightweight wool, perhaps a black crepe, because I just really love the modern shape.
I'm trying out a high-waist pencil skirt pattern next, and then I'm moving on to a jacket. I'm making a muslin for this one, because I'm going to attempt to add a design feature - cuffs - that isn't in the pattern.
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This weekend DH and I are off to the Brimfield Antiques Show in Brimfield, MA.
It's a huge antiques show/flea market, with thousands of vendors, that is held 3 times a year. It's apparently very popular with designers; Martha Stewart has been known to attend. I've been in the spring, but it is so beautiful in the fall. Not looking for anything in particular, and I won't even be upset if I don't come home with any treasures. The joy of browsing through the neat antiques (and junk!) is enough for me. I recall a few stalls of vintage notions - will be sure to post any finds. Have a great weekend!