Thursday 14 October 2010

Wooly and Wearable

September was rubbish in the sense that, although I actually got a few garments sewn (black sailor trousers, black stretch T-shirt top, black Port Elizabeth top, black Simplicity 3835 top AND denim sailor trousers), I was forced to unveil them on this blog as part of the mash-up of SSS documentation posts. This was due to having little time and no internets at home for the duration of that month. However, all is now well. I have a new self-stitched garment plus a little time and a lots of internets, so normal show and tell may commence.


Today's offering is an incredible simple A-line skirt last I finished last night. It's made using a small length of wool blend that's been in my stash for, ummm, about a squillion years that I 'appropriated' from the sample pile of a clothing company I used to work for. The fabric has all the appearance of wool but so much synthetic content that washing and ironning it are no problem. I've been biding my time using it up but now I have a job that requires me to wear black and what with winter on it's way, now seemed good time to deploy it.

The pattern used was a self drafted A-line that earlier this year I spent some time improving to fulfill my personal requirements (better darting to accommodate my round bum, longer length, waistline sittin on the upper hip). Although I did those alterations way back when I lived in bcn (oooh, whole months ago!), I hadn't got round to actually using the pattern, but I'm pretty pleased with the improved fit in this skirt.


Because making a basic A-line skirt isn't a massive challenge for me these days, I used this project as an opportunity to try something new and used this method of lining compared to my usual method. For those who can't be bothered to read the whole article right now, I'll explain that it's a method that treats the lining and facing as one. In fact, I took it a step further and omitted the facing altogether and tried an option the article gave which involved cutting the facing pieces from fusible interfacing and fusing them to the top of the wrong side of the lining to give more support. This avoided any itchy wool facing close to the skin or having to buy a scrap if alternative fabric just for the frikkin' facing as I didn't have anything suitable knocking around.

To make the skirt even vaguely interesting, I added a pair big patch pockets. I managed to find a pair of big shiny buttons in my huge collection of predominantly odd buttons and applied them which actually makes the pockets non-functioning. If I had left them as functioning pockets, I would have subconsciously spent too much time wandering round with my hands shoved in them which would pull at the skirt and eventually ruin its generally clean finish.


This skirt may be one of the more boring items you'll see knocking around blogland at the moment, but I don't care. I'm currently trying to create well fitting, useful and functional pieces that will get a lot of wear. And let's also not forget that, as previously mentioned, I didn't pay for the fabric. The zip, thread, fusing and buttons were also from my stash and the lining was a small piece of poly/cotton I recently picked up from a charity shop for about 50p. Subsequently, this skirt weighs in a total cost of very little, aside from my time that I probably would have wasted watching ANTM or playing Hearts anyway, so I've come away with a handmade garment that argueably actually worked out cheaper than buying the equivalent from a shop. A rare feat these days! Happy stitching (if applicable).

17 comments:

Kelli Ward said...

i am actually REALLY loving that skirt. the pockets make it a little more special, and yet it is still so versatile. I may need to try something like this.

christina said...

It's a nice skirt and I especially like the pockets. They look really cool.
With better internets you might like to go back to those mentioned September sewn things to give them a "proper outing" after all. ;)

Darci said...

I really like your skirt and I think you'll wear the heck out of it. Also, good job with the stashbusting! I love a "free" project.

I'd love to read more about your lining technique (I'm ALWAYS looking for shortcuts), but your link isn't working. Can you help?

Zoe said...

Thanks for thr comments ladies. Darci, sorry about that, the link is working now. Thanks for bringing it to my attention

xxx

Tilly said...

Zoe, why so apologetic? This skirt is great! Glad you've got lots of internets now - here's to many more. What's ANTM?

ALSO - of COURSE I'll tell you when I'm coming to Brighton, especially if it involves fabric shopping! I bought that pattern ages ago when you were still in Espana. Karen (Did You Make That?) is planning a blogger meet up in London soon so you should come up for that...

Gail said...

I love the combination of stripes, animal print and block colours. Very edgy and stylish.

Kat said...

Love it! And I love the pockets too. I bought some black cotton to make a simple aline skirt with suspenders. I was going to use the bottom of the Parfait dress by collete patterns and add in a waistband and straps. But I realised the other day that I should have gotten a thicker fabric to make it in.

Unknown said...

I LOVE that skirt! So cute. I adore the pockets! Great job. :)

Anonymous said...

I think your skirt is great. It'll be a real wardrobe workhorse. My last blog project was a pencil skirt, and it's a rather boring project, but I think I'll get a lot of wear out of it.

Anonymous said...

Great skirt!!

Anonymous said...

I love it and it seems like a great basic skirt and a great basic skirt pattern. There is a need for the more 'boring' items as well in our wardrobe so they shouldn't be underestimated.

Anonymous said...

I love it with the pockets and buttons! I am all about the practical, well-fitting garments... I have lots of lovely creations that sit in the closet, it's much more satisfying to make something I can wear every day. :)

Minnado said...

Great skirt Zoe, and one that looks like it willbecome a wardrobe staple. Loving the big shiny buttons. I just bought some similar, reduced from £1.95 per button (eeek) to 10p...I am filling up the button box.

Gina said...

Thanks for the link to the easy lining technique. I have never successfully lined anything so I'm excited to try this.

la inglesita said...

Great skirt Zoe. I see your point on not being a garment for funky pictures but not everything we sew must scream at your face HERE I AM ALL UNIQUE... I'll use your idea of stitching the pockets for my girls dresses (Am I allowed to?)

Ali said...

Zoe, it looks fabulous! In fact, I've been shaky on whether the A-line is a great skirt for me but seeing yours gives me hope! I just self-drafted a version, and I'd love to know: how much are you calculating your sweep over your hip measurement? I did four inches and that just was overkill, but that may be my own body as I'm petite-ish.

I love the pocket addition :)

P.S. Awesome coat, btw. It'll be gorgeous.

Chase Clark said...

Super cute Zo! I loved all your SSS stuff, as always. Sorry I did not participate this time but life is crazy! I am so in for the next MMM though. I posted pics of the adorable gingham number I won from you a while ago on my blog. Sorry it took so long! Keep sewing, you rock!

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