Saturday, July 12, 2008

Happiness is a good skirt


Now this is more like it. My basic summer uniform is T-shirts/tank tops and skirts, so why haven't I been making skirts? Making a skirt is easy! I made this one yesterday. I got the fabric at Ikea, of all places -- $7.99 a meter, and it's wide enough that one meter was enough. It's superheavy cotton, like a heavy denim or canvas, so this is a solid year-round skirt. (I like a sturdy fabric on the bottom half, holding everything in.) I like that the fabric pattern looks like it could be sprigs of berries, or it could be microscopic creatures of some kind.


I used the skirt pattern from Sew U, size large. In Sew U sizes, my hip measurement is large and my waist is off the charts, so I just made the large size without sewing any of the waist darts. I wanted the skirt to sit low, and I certainly didn't want it to be tight (two words: muffin top), and by omitting the darts I ended up with the right shape for my body. It just meant I had to cut my own facing pieces rather than using the pattern pieces, which is easy enough to do. I put the facing on the outside, just for visual interest, with the fabric pattern flipped vertically:


Next time I'll reduce the width of the pattern by an inch or so. I was so determined not to make this skirt too small that it's a tiny bit too big. (I also think that I, like lots of women, think I'm bigger than I really am.) Bill thinks I should make it shorter, too, but ... he's a boy. Also, I'll make the next one more A-line. I'm thrilled with my first skirt, though -- I'm already looking forward to wearing it with boots in the fall.



Have a great weekend! The humidity is creeping back into Montreal. Ugh. I think I'll escape it today by going to a matinee.

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cute! I'm turning a dress into a skirt at this very moment (well, I'm taking a break for lunch but still). I hope mine looks as great as yours!

knittingknirvana said...

Too cute! I love it! And I hear ya on the heavier fabric to hold it all in.

Gudrun Johnston said...

I really like how you have the waistband..one of my comfiest skirts is similar (I didn't make it).....when I first saw the fabric I thought of seaweed.....very funky!

MezzoDiva said...

That's adorable! I love the fabric and I love the way it fits you. I am so going to learn to sew! Much better activity for the steamy weather.

Elizabeth said...

That looks great! I love that fabric - I actually used that same fabric to make a bag a few months back. IKEA has a lot of great textiles. It looks fab as a skirt - lovely job.

Montreal Mama said...

That looks great Alison!

Any time free to show me how to use my sewing machine? :)

Carrie said...

That is SO adorable! I have got to try a skirt. I am a little scared, but I have Sew U...you are inspiring me!

Anonymous said...

Love the skirt - very Montreal haute couture !

claudia said...

Super cute!

Unknown said...

that's not a good shirt, that's a GREAT skirt.

well done.

shannon said...

i love it! the fabric is fantastic. perhaps i'll have to take another stab at making a skirt.

spajonas said...

very very cute! KP also wants me to make my skirts shorter. boys will be boys.

Anonymous said...

That is just ADORABLE! So flattering. I need to dust off my machine. Sigh.

Anonymous said...

Cute skirt looks lovely on you. May I also suggest the pattern on the fabric is a graphic design of seaweed? This is coming from someone who lives on the ocean and has seen tons of seaweed in her life.
Ikea skedaddled out of this province many years ago and will not come back despite pleading from many fans down here.

Nelly Knits said...

adorable skirt!

goodkarma said...

Oooh! I want to go to IKEA right now! You make me want to dust the cobwebs off my ancient sewing machine and start making fabulous skirts. Well played, Brainy!

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous print! I like the facing on the outside, too.

Anonymous said...

Love the pictures and a wonderful print!

SNOWBIRD said...

Great looking skirt and print. The skirt looks good with the flat (skimmer) shoes. I am so happy that so many young people are sewing again. Keep sewing and knitting!

Love This Space said...

Very very cute! I love the fabric and it looks great on you. Nice work!

Anonymous said...

That looks fantastic on you! I personally think they're creatures...love them!

I need to re-learn how to use a sewing machine. I have one that hasn't seen use since I was in my twenties and that was...

cough...

a while ago. :-}

karen said...

i have a very similar prejudice about sturdy fabric for pants & skirts. i wonder if years of jeans wearing has skewed my perceptions slightly...

Linda said...

I love your skirt. I never wear skirts but something like that would have me converted!

kris said...

love! fabulous skirt, alison - it looks great on you and i think the length is perfect.

Anonymous said...

Wow - I absolutely love it! Your summer uniform is my summer uniform too, and your skirt is my perfect skirt!

I think I'm going to have to have a go at this...

Protagitron said...

So adorable. And the material is from Ikea, eh? As if the meatballs weren't enough of a pull...

Unknown said...

Great skirt! Love the fabric...must go to ikea. I myself have only made wrap skirts but have a couple of patterns for fitted. I think I will pull out the old sewing machine this week. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

You know what... I also made a skirt with that fabric and I also made it too big and said to myself "more A line would have been better". Contrary to you however, I placed the fabric on the other side, more like plants or trees with the blooming going towards the sky.

Congrats for your skirt and your good choice of fabric. I'm sure you'll get great comments. :-) Sophie

Jessica said...

I absolutely love your skirt and wish I had the same sewing ability! May I also ask where you got your shoes? They would be absolutely perfect with my own summer uniform: capris and polos! --From a reader who has never written in but faithfully follows your adventures from the lower 48 :)

Lolly said...

Perfect fit and great look! it will transition very well for all seasons.

La Cabeza Grande said...

Love your perfect skirt - especially in the last shot showcasing the whole deal: your fabric creation, a tiny ankle tattoo and Mooky!

Trixie said...

that is the cutest skirt.

Leslie said...

What a great skirt--that fabric is perfect! I love the shape and the length, too. I'd definitely wear this! Too bad my sewing machine and I are not on good terms :-)

Anonymous said...

Whoa! That is an awesome skirt! And a first attempt?! Wonderful! I will have to check out my Ikea for that fabric as I am coveting it very much! Really great job!
PS-I gave up pants earlier this Spring and wear a skirt or a dress everyday and it's one of the best things I've done for myself. I hope you get as great an experience out and about in your skirts too!

Anonymous said...

Congrats - excellent skirt!