I have a new favorite skirt!
Okay yes, it’s not that exciting. But I’ve needed at least one (okay several) good, basic skirt for ages, and finally I sat down to change that. I can’t tell you how many times I look into my closet, pick a blouse, then look at my skirts and think, “I’ll wear this blouse with… what?”
I sewed this bias-cut skirt from New York Pattern Creation 1730, which is probably from the early 1940s. I really love the styling on their pattern envelopes. And somehow now I’m craving a mustard-colored version… lol
I had to share the instructional diagram for this skirt. Granted, there were a few sentences along with this, but talk about concise. This is all you got!
I did a muslin because I’d never done a lapped zipper with a skirt waistband (just in a dress), but I’m also glad I did because there were a few fitting tweaks. While the skirt was a bit too big, the waistband piece was too small (huh?) and since I’m a shortie I had to smooth out the side seams after cutting out 3″ of length below the hip. In the end the underlap on the waistband is longer than I wanted (you can see it sort of peeking out a bit in the photo below), so I’ll trim some off next time.
I mentioned in my last Made and Making post that I tried a slightly different technique for the lapped zipper, from Casey’s circle skirt sew-along last year. I’m really happy with how it turned out. This is the first time I did one that wasn’t hand picked. The secret for a straight line for me was tape as a stitching guide (shown in this Flickr pic), lots of basting, and going sloooowly.
I used rayon seam binding and catch-stitched the hem. It was hard to ease in the fullness… I need to investigate if there are better techniques for this because steaming doesn’t always cut it and I always feel like I’m doing a crappy job at it.
I didn’t have any green seam binding, so I used blue! I like it.
But the hem does look nice from the outside, so I’m sure my ‘crappy’ isn’t as bad as I think.
I used a heavy twill to try and use up something from my stash. I thought it was 100% cotton initially, but didn’t remember for sure. I’m now thinking it’s a cotton/poly blend. The fabric barely needed to be ironed when I pulled it out of the dryer and it didn’t wrinkle too badly either, considering these photos were taken after being on and off public transportation and outside in the hot sun all morning at Randolph Street Market.
Gratuitous dog picture since how interesting can a bunch of photos of a plain green skirt be?
So apparently below is my look of concentration, as Mel took this just as I was about to scoot myself up onto the bench on our deck. I had to include it because this is probably a way more accurate photo of how I normally look than any others you see. Classy, huh?
Well, here’s the slightly nicer version of that.
Outfit details: me-made skirt, peasant blouse from Shanghai Lili’s, 50s fruity earrings from my mom and step-dad, Bakelite bangles from here and there, Miss L Fire shoes
What should I sew next??
What a funny coincidence. A couple of weeks ago I just finished a similar skirt with a similar colour.
I need(ed) more skirts to go with my blouses too.
Love your look!
Oh my gosh, how funny! I love yours with your blouse!
Love this outfit! That blouse is simply darling, and that skirt comes across as super versatile. Fabulous job!
Ohh it looks great! More basic skirts are a huge need in my wardrobe as well. I love this color on you, and your whole outfit looks just too adorable. You’re just so lovely!
xo,
Em
I love sewing wardrobe basics 🙂 It seems like it would be boring, but you can do little things to punch up the style (like making it a bias cute, or putting pretty blue seam binding at the hem!) and make the whole sewing process more interesting. Plus – they get worn sooo much more! I love that deep green you chose; I may have to incorporate a color like that in my wardrobe for future seasons. Oh, and I love your shoes! That whole website made me swoon so much, gah hahaa.
Oh, and I bet your hem ease issues were because there is a bit of poly in that skirt – otherwise, it should ease up without an issue. At any rate, the hem looks beautiful on both sides from what I can see 🙂
Ahhh, I didn’t think about the poly part as being an issue! I like the green because it’s not brown or black so I can wear either with it, but it still feels like a “basic” color that goes with a lot.
Yeah, Miss L Fire shoes are so awesome, I could stand for one in almost each style. 😉
I need more skirts… but first I need the blouses 😉 I think your hem looks very nice- I think the Colette blog had one on easing in fullness on the hem some time back.
I was also admiring your blouse… I am really wanting to make an embroidered blouse.
I want to do an embroidered blouse, too! I have a peasant blouse pattern with an embroidery transfer. I need to investigate good ways to stabilize, then I may try it out. 🙂
I’ll take a peek on the Colette blog for that, thanks!
Looks great! You are so good at this!
This is such a divine wardrobe staple…the colour is just perfect! And I love your cute blouse too!
I was just thinking that I needed some basic skirts in my wardrobe. I was thinking red but maybe I need a green one now too.
And rightfully so! From the cut to the colour, that is one fantastic skirt. Awesome job on it!!!
Thank you very much for your comment on my vintage outfit post today, sweet gal. I hope you get a chance to see that movie sometime, it’s buckets of fun and a must for an Johnny Depp fan. While I didn’t actually get to spend the evening with him in person this time, a gal can always hope that it might (however unlikely) happen some distant day. If it does, I promise you, I will blog about it with the words “for real” in the title 🙂
Wishing you and Mel a stellar week!
♥ Jessica
Great skirt! Looks like it will be very versatile!
You did an amazing job on that skirt, I really like the way you hemmed the bottom with the criss-cross stitching. And, to figure out the pattern instructions on these older vintage patterns is always a challenge for me. Sometimes after putting the pattern pieces together several different ways the most obvious way will jump out and I think ‘but, of course!’ Great skirt and solids are must for any wardrobe.
That skirt is great. The whole outfit is cute and comfortable. I need to start making more solid colored pieces so that I can mix and match things.
Don’t underestimate the loveliness of Plain and simple- your skirt is lovely and the colour and fit is fab. I’m rather fond of this look at the moment- I’m in the middle of making a puffy blouse, but I forgot to lengthen the bodice so I think it might be un wearable- grr! Oh and your tape solution is genius btw- I am so going to have to try that! Tupps xxx
I can’t claim credit for the tape, I saw it somewhere but agree, it seemed pretty genius to me too!
Hope your blouse turns out not too be too short!
Don’t underestimate the loveliness of Plain and simple- your skirt is lovely and the colour and fit is fab. I’m rather fond of this look at the moment- I’m in the middle of making a puffy blouse, but I forgot to lengthen the bodice so I think it might be un wearable- grr! Oh and your tape solution is genius btw- I am so going to have to try that! Tupps xxx
I love love love everything about this post. I’ve been meaning to make a similar skirt myself, but have been putting it off. After seeing this, I’m totally inspired. This is so smart-looking on you! I’m impressed with the lapped zipper and rayon tape hemming. I just so impatient with the last details, I usually do whatever is quickest, not always the prettiest.
Ok, and that look of consternation photo is great. Something about it feels very authentically old fashioned to me. You look like someobody’s tough aunt who rode motorcycles and smoked a pipe and whom all the girls in the family secretly wished they could be.
I so want to be that aunt, hee hee!
I think the insides of my sewing is probably often a bit shameful, but I don’t mind (much). It’s not any worse than I’ve seen in some of my handmade vintage dresses, so I know I’m in good company. 😉
Lovely skirt, the perfect shade of green too. I love that doggie of yours, so cute! xx
LOVE IT! Green is such a great color on you 😀
So, I’m going to say it again, you are so talented! Do you get tired of hearing that? The outfit is so cute, you look great.
That skirt is so pretty.Just love the color.I always enjoy your sewing creations.xx
I really like it, I’m a big fan of a plain, vintagey looking skirts and yours is so classy. The whole outfit is adorable and the photo of you with a concentrated look on your face is definitely my favourite, you look fab! x
Gorgeous skirt, the colour is pretty and the fit perfect! Do more knitting, I need inspiration! 🙂
Ha ha! I’m working on something but can’t share it yet, though I won’t even come close to hitting my self-imposed headline so I’ll talk about it once I miss that deadline. 😉 Honestly though it’s been way too hot here for me to think much about knitting these last few weeks unfortunately!
Love it! You can never have too many classic 40’s skirts in your wardrobe. And can I just say how much I love your blouse? Such a lovely outfit!!
It looks awesome, you are so talented! And I can totally see you rocking a mustard coloured one! Do it, do it, do it! 😀
I love it. About a month ago I finished a plain black skirt. It’s been on high rotation! You are going to adore your basic skirt. enjoy
Oh.My.Gosh…..that looks FANTASTIC!!! Great job, I wish I could sew like that!!!
I love that outfit! Peasant tops and skirts always look so cute together. 🙂
Hey, basics are great! Love yours. I think the color makes it really pop and elevates it from a standard basic blah skirt.
I have a repro skirt pattern just like this and want to do one in twill. I have the same problems with finding a skirt to wear with my blouses. You have given me hope! Your skirt turned out wonderfully.
What a great skirt – I love the colour of the fabric. Lovely! I’m with you on the need for more basic skirts, all bar one of the skirts I’ve made so far is patterned.
Well, sometimes all you need is a simple, sweet skirt…I love the colors and it looks very cute on you!That makes me want to sew the same kind of skirt!
Pretty pretty!!! I need a decent skirt pattern to I can get to making 🙂
Love it!!! Absoloutley gorgeous!!! Call me silly, or dull, or whatever, but I’m a sucker for solid coloured skirts in simple lines. And a little bit of poly mixed with the cotton is a godsend when there’s no time for pressing (like every morning for work… or is that just me?). I have a favorite solid blue skirt in cotton/poly, and it’s my all-time go-to skirt. I’m sure you’ll get tons of use out of this beautiful skirt (not to mention all the later versions of this pattern =) ).
You are so right about the bit of poly! I mostly favor 100% cotton, but I hate to iron, so often I favor non-cotton in my wardrobe when I’m feeling lazy. I sometimes wish I could get my hands on fabric like some of my vintage blouses that are Dacron polyester, nylon, etc… shhh, don’t tell! 😉
Thank you so much everyone for your kind words!! ♥
Lovely! You look ridiculously fab in that skirt!! Great choice of pattern, and now I am wanting a mustard-colored skirt as well… 🙂
I think your skirt turned out beautifully! Now I’m sleuthing the rest of your outfit on the web to see if I can get shoes like that. And what adorable little embroidery on the blouse! I need to up my creative ante, I feel like I haven’t done anything this summer yet. 🙁 Blame it on the heat wave! But your craft/sewing successes have the little imaginative wheels in my head turning, so thanks! 🙂
gorgeous! finished off beautifully! really inspiring, you’re making me want to dig out the sewing machine again!
xxx
This skirt looks gorgeous and so well made. I love the colour! XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.co.uk
I am VERY jealous! You should be very proud- this skirt is wonderful! And it works beautifully with that gorgeous little peasant top.
I am in the very same predicament…nearly all my tops are patterned, and all but 1 of my skirts are! So I am forever pulling items out my wardrobe and then realising I have nothing to wear them with and putting them back whilst vowing to make myself that perfect swing skirt that will go with everything. I really must make myself one soon!
xxxx
I love your blog, it’s one of my favourites I’ve ever come across!!
definately following!
http://www.unicorn-taxidermy.blogspot.com
x
This looks gorgeous! I love that color on you. I’m planning a jumper dress in navy plaid wool, for winter, and I think I will cut the skirt on the bias like that for a cool diagonal effect–thanks for the inspiration!
love love love this skirt! I am like you in need of solid colour basics, I did make a skirt out of gorgeous brown gabardine before I lost weight, then promptly lost loads of weight so now I need to remake it, but I will definitely make more. I like prints for blouses and don’t have enough solids to match them with. I LOVE the colour too!
Hello! I’m a lurker reader but I had to comment to ask if you have a tutorial or care to explain how you bound the seams? I’ve recently been interested in incorporating that type of detail into more of my projects and I’d love to know how you did it with your skirt.