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| Not so bad if I keep my hands in the pockets. |
My first thought was to toss it immediately into the Goodwill pile. But I love this color; I spent some time on Saturday (pre-doom) mentally going through my closet and noting all the many blouses and sweaters I have that will go with it. And after I had some time to simmer down, I started to think about ways I could fix it.
The main problem is that the fabric doesn't have as much drape as it should. The pattern calls for medium weight fabric, and the sample is made in denim (although I'm not sure what weight of denim). My fabric was listed as medium weight on Fabric.com, and I did pre-wash it. But the enormous pockets are getting in the way of the skirt panels draping the way they want to. And that's creating some unsightly buckling and making me look a lot heavier than I actually am.
Maybe it's not as visible in these photos - the light has left us again. When I see the photos, it doesn't look as terrible as I initially thought it was. But I will say that there's a big difference between how it hangs with a slip and without. (Better with.) And I feel like I shouldn't have to wear a slip with a heavy skirt! (Unless I'm wearing tights, which is a different matter altogether.)
It's also a smidge too big. Maybe I should have made the size 4. I went with the size 6, with a waist measurement 1/2 inch larger than mine. The size 4 is based on a waist measurement 1 inch smaller than mine. My finished skirt sits just slightly below my natural waist, but it is meant to sit higher. I could take out at least an inch:
So how to fix it? Taking off the pockets would probably fix the whole situation, but I don't think that's really an option: remember all that groovy triple-stitching? Those pockets are on there good.
My second thought was to wash and dry it at warmer temperatures than I usually do, to see if I can shrink and soften it a little. It's in the dryer now, so I'll know in a while if that works!
If it doesn't, it looks like I'll have to remove the waistband (also triple-stitched all the way around - gah!) and zipper and then take it in at the back seam.
I did have a little trouble with the instructions for the zipper and the waistband; somehow they just didn't make sense to me, so I did them the way I'm used to. And my waistband also ended up being a couple inches too short - it was supposed to have a much longer underlap for the button. But there's a good chance that one was due to user error.
Today I'm going to start a new project, which will be a muslin for a blouse on which I'll also try out the serger. More on that another time!
Meanwhile, any other ideas out there for a fix?
Okay, I am no help at all in the sewing department, but I honestly don't see where it makes you look heavy. I promise I would say something if you looked like a cow [:) ], but I think it's adorable.
ReplyDeletehehehe - appreciate your honesty!
DeleteIs there any way you cold turn it into a Ginger skirt? You could use a ready made Ginger to make a pattern for front and back pieces (2 pieces as opposed to 4) and go from there. I know this involves a lot of seam ripping, but it might just work?
ReplyDeleteI think I should do a sample seam on some scrap with the triple stitch, and try ripping that out to see how destructive it is.
DeleteWashing it (twice) did actually make it a little snugger though.
I'm with Tracey. I don't think it looks bad. I bet you'll have a different idea once you hem it and jazz it up with a cute blouse and some accessories. I do hope the dryer helps shrinking it a bit so you needn't worry about taking more in.
ReplyDeleteAnd this skirt is so what I want to work on next month. I will keep drape in mind when I choose my fabric.
I do hope it works out. It's a fab color.
I know you wanted to do this skirt (along with a couple other people) so I wanted to give you all a heads up. Interestingly, Hubby thought it would look a lot better with the suspenders! So now I really think you should add them (and I still think I'm too old!).
DeleteOh how frustrating. I wonder if a good few inches taken off the bottom would give it a totally different look? As Stitch Parade said, maybe turn it into a red Ginger skirt? - not that I'm biased or anything! x
ReplyDeleteInteresting . . . Hubby also wanted me to take a LOT off the length: all the way up to the pockets! I sort of like the tea length though, although it is probably contributing to making me looks shorter/chubbier.
DeleteI love the skirt and I think the only problem is the waist is too loose. If it tightens up it will look more like a 1950s skirt, with that fit and flare look. However, I would suggest shortening it by one or two inches. Have you any desire to wear this with a crinoline? It would look great like that.
ReplyDeleteI did think of a crinoline too! Great minds think alike! And honestly, it would be a LOT easier than taking it apart and redoing it. It's kind of embarrassing how lazy I am!
DeleteIt's hard for me to see what you mean as I think you look really lovely in this skirt. I did wonder about the denim weight when you first posted about this skirt but then again, I dug that you were working with something a bit heavier. Hmmmm, I do wonder if it would feel different if you shortened it -- not as hubby suggests (naughty) -- it might give the skirt a bit more swing?
ReplyDeleteI really like the skirt - but agree that slightly shorter length with a higher waist would make it look spectacular. I think it would also look great with a wide belt and crinoline, working the 50's look. But, however you decide to wear it I think you did a smashing job :-)) xx
ReplyDeleteTo echo a few of the comments, I think shortening it a bit would help. If you can get it closer to knee length that is more flattering, and I think the length of the skirt is really accentuated by the bold colour you've chosen here. Shortening will make it look more youthful and the pop of colour will be more proportional to your outfit- Just my two cents. Good luck making it work!
ReplyDeleteBut I also have to commiserate... don't sewing mishaps STING? Don't worry, you're not the only one who pouts after all your hard work didn't get the result you wanted!
You girls are the best! I have to giggle - everyone thinks I should shorten it . . . I forgot to mention that I haven't hemmed it yet! Too funny!
ReplyDeleteIt did shrink a little and sits higher on the waist now, so I think I'm going to go ahead and hem it up to just below knee length. Although I do love the 1950s/I Love Lucy vibe I've got going on with the unhemmed length.
Hmmm, looking forward to seeing how it looks hemmed and shrunken! The color is great!
ReplyDeleteI definitely think shortening it just a bit would help. I hadn't noticed you hadn't hemmed it yet. It might even help it drape better with a little less weight. Who knows! Love the colour.
ReplyDeleteI love the pockets and the gorgeous red color, and given that it has shrunk a bit, if you cut it shorter (I would just above the knees, but that's me :), the skirt should be a perfect fit. Looking forward to see it hemmed and styled.
ReplyDeleteHi there - I think it's too long. I reckon the whole look will change if you lop it off just below the knee. And don't wear it with a ladylike blouse - you are dressing like my mother! ;)
ReplyDeleteBut I'm a lady! I like to do lady things! (wonder if anyone gets that reference?)
DeleteDust! Dust!
DeleteChampagne! Champagne for everyone!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm late to the party! Now that it shrank a bit and fits better at the waist, I'm gonna echo the sentiments about shortening it--maybe to just below where the pockets end. It's a wonderful color!
ReplyDeleteI think I get your reference! A character that always makes me snicker, Emily from Little Britain?
ReplyDeleteI agree with suggestions that you take up the hem. Also, what about wearing a top that has deeper colors in it? Not sure, but this may balance better with the bottom. The top seems to fade away, which leads to the bottom half of your body appearing bigger (I say appearing and I mean it).
This is not the style of your skirt, but here is a cute combo of colors:
http://www.shoeperwoman.com/2011/07/black-canvas-wedges-from-primark.html
Keep up the wonderful creative work and the blogging!
Ding ding ding!! Yes - Emily Howard. Those guys kill me!
DeleteThanks for the advice, link and compliment!
Sorry to be so late- but I just found you. Like many others, I would agree-shorten it! Wearing a shirt too long means all we see is the skirt- and it is really cote- but we need to see you looking cute ( or glamorous or whatever your look is).
ReplyDeleteFor years I wore loose long dresses- and I looked huge in them since I tend to be bosomy. I still love the look- but I have finally realized I am too short and definitely look better in shorter skirts or dresses that at least show I go in at the waist. Empire is not bad as long as it goes in right on the bosom.
I will like to see the skirt after your washing and shrinking ir. My mother made me a skirt that color when I was in high school. Probably that long, but we wore them with crinolines. I think I also wore mine with a bright white blouse.
LindaC
Hi Linda!
DeleteI did finally get around to hemming it this weekend, and will be updating it soon (I haven't slept much, so it's not a good day to take pictures!). But I will admit I only brought it up 1.5 inches. I've decided I like it that way for now, for the '50s vibe it gives, and I can always shorten it more later!