Sunday, June 30, 2013

Chevron Maxi

It's been about a week and a half since I made this skirt - I actually made it on the same day I got my coverstitch machine - but I just wore it for the first time on Friday to go have coffee with Alicia.

I'd been thinking I'd skip the whole chevron trend, but when Girl Charlee stocked a larger format chevron than what they'd had previously, I just couldn't resist.  I used the tutorial over at Mad Mim to draft a maxi to my measurements, and I think the sizing worked out really well.  She has two versions, an A-line maxi and a gathered maxi; I did the A-line.

front and back

You do have to read through the entire tutorial to get all the information; the suggested yardage was listed in the comments rather in the tutorial and for me it was insufficient.  I had bought 2 yards of this fabric because you can only buy in full yard increments from Girl Charlee.  The tutorial suggested 1.5 yards of 55" wide fabric for the A-line skirt.  Even with 2 yards of this 58" fabric, I had to cut these out opposite from each other, i.e. the wide (hem) ends of the skirt were in opposite cormers of the piece, which was laid out single layer.  With this fabric it worked out OK, but with a directional print, I'd think you'd need a good half yard more, if not a yard.

Still, I'm happy with the outcome.  I like how swishy it is.  The knit maxi dresses I've made are more columnar than this skirt, so it feels a little more flouncy.  The tutorial recommends adding 8 - 10 inches to your quarter hip measurement to get the hem width.  I wasn't really sure how wide I wanted my hem to be, so I added the 8" and I think it's just right.

trying to show the A-line-ness

I ordered the fabric specifically to try out this "pattern" and was a tiny bit disappointed when it came in the mail because it felt a little thin.  But after the prewash it felt somewhat heftier so I decided to try it out.  It's probably a bit thinner than is ideal, but of course I'm wearing a slip underneath so I don't think it really matters.

As I mentioned, I wore it out to have coffee with my friend Alicia and one of the first things I did was to spill coffee on it!  Also, the skirt seemed to grow in length as the morning wore on.  When I got home I put it in the washer and dryer - next time I wear it I'll see if it shrunk or if I need to redo the hem.

And speaking of the hem - I got everything ready to the point of hemming on the day my coverstitch machine was to be delivered.  So once I had it out of the box and had tested it on some scraps I was able to finish off the bottom!


The machine I got is the Brother 2340CV.  My serger is a Brother 1034D, and this coverstitch machine is set up in a very similar way, so it was easy to figure out.  I've used it on 4 projects already and while it's a little early to give a comprehensive review, I'm really liking it so far. 

One thing that surprised me is that there's no tying off or knotting.  The manual recommends ending your stitching by overlapping with the beginning of the hem (or whatever you're working on) by an inch and a half.  That is going to take some practice!

I picked out the really wonky part!

Oh, and there's a Hubby-ism with this story.  When I put on the skirt, he said, "I like it.  But why didn't you do pattern-matching at the side seams?"  Part of me was proud that he even knew that that's a thing, but another part of me felt like Grrrrr!  Funny Hubby!

non-matched side seams

I can tell you though, I've seen a few variations of this skirt online, and my pattern matching is better than those!

34 comments:

  1. I really like this Gail. I'm a bit lover of maxi skirts and dresses, and also stripes of all kinds. I'm impressed that your hubby commented on the pattern matching, it shows they pay more attention than they pretend to sometimes!

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    1. Thanks, Sam! It took me a while to board the Maxi Bandwagon, but I'm a big fan now!

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  2. Those hubby's with their critiques! They know just enough to be dangerous! Great job on the skirt. The large format print works really well for this

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    1. Thank you, Ms. L! I think so too (re: the print) - the smaller ones just didn't feel right to me so I was glad when they got the bigger one in.

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  3. I think the skirt is especially cute paired with the t-shirt that you chose. And btw, I was in Neiman's, yes Neiman's and I saw a piece that was not matched like it should have been.

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    1. Thank you! This is a very old t-shirt, and one of those favorites that goes with very little in my closet, so I was really glad to have a skirt to wear with it finally! I should have taken a close-up - it has a Hawaiian themed print and says "Bambu Hut!"

      It's shocking, isn't it, how poor the quality of most RTW is these days, even in the higher-end stores? I'm SO glad I got back to sewing. Honestly, the things I've made in the last year are much better quality than a lot of what's out there, and I'm only an intermediate-level sewer!

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  4. I kind of want a maxi skirt now. They look so effortless and casual. I'll note that this fabric is probably too lightweight for a skirt though!

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    1. It is effortless and casual! I felt so hip too, going out with my friend!

      This fabric really is OK if you're going to wear a slip. But I know a lot of the younger girls aren't used to wearing slips. Girl Charlee does have this print in ITY now (and also in white/turquoise!) but I can't do the polyester - as an old lady, I just get too hot!

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  5. I love this! Super cute fabric! I've nominated your blog for an award. See my blog notchesandnotions.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Oh, thank you so much, Sarah! I'll hop on over!

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  6. Husbands! Honestly, isn't it typical that they appear to pay no attention and then suddenly come out with a side-swipe?!
    Fab skirt - even if you didn't match the stripes, you lazy idle good-for-nothing! LOL

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    1. Oh no - he didn't intend it as a slight and I didn't take it as one! He actually looked kind of pleased with himself that he knew that's an important issue and something we strive for - IF we're paying attention!

      And yes, I am a lazy, idle good-for-nothing! I'm the first to admit it!

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  7. Omg, you have pink Dr. Scholl sandals just like my favorite old pair!

    I love that t-shirt with the black-and-white chevron skirt. I'd wear that outfit every other day if I were you. As it is, I won't be wearing maxi-length skirts or dresses - I'm just 5'3" and feel that they overwhelm me.

    Yep, my bf comes out with zingers like that from time to time too. But he used to do industrial sewing (sails; nylon gear bags) so he does know what he's talking about!

    -- stashdragon

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    1. I used to think these were the most comfy sandals ever back in the day, but they don't feel so great to me any more! Ah, age! What're you gonna do?

      I don't know, Gretchen - I'm only 5'4", so not significantly taller than you! I figured since the skirt only cost me about $11 in materials and maybe 2 hours of time, if it didn't work out it would be no big deal. And I actually really like it!

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    2. You certainly look tall in all your pictures. I had you pegged at 5'7"! (And maybe I'm slouching down to 5'2" these days, ha-ha).

      You know, I'd still be sporting the wooden sandals, but Dr. Scholl's has cheaped out in recent years: the soles aren't shaped as ergonomically as they used to be. Not so much fun to walk in anymore!

      -- stashdragon

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    3. I've had the same reaction to other bloggers' pictures! I'm always sure everyone else is so much taller than me, but in one case, the lady was 2" shorter!

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  8. You're so trendy! Ha, I love your husband's comment - he's paying attention!

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    1. He is paying attention! He even reads my blog daily, believe it or not!

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  9. Maxi and chevron - I love the combination! This looks great with your pink tee too. I'll have to check out the tutorial. I love the husband story - it just shows he's paying attention!

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    1. Thanks, Shar! I have a lot of little tops that go well with this skirt, so I expect to be wearing it a lot this summer!

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  10. This looks so comfy and funky! Lol at your husband. Mine commented on my amateur fashion sketch and said "that one looks dumpy". Not appreciated...

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    1. Awww, I loved your pictures! Tell him Auntie Gail said to be nice!

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  11. You are so cute in it!It's awesome.

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  12. oooh i hate it when the hubs notices some "flaw" i'm either not particular about or can't possibly get around! love the maxi skirt though, and i'm pretty sure the crazy chevron thing happening distracts from impossible pattern matching! so cute, especially with the tee shirt.

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    1. Totally! I also think the crazy chevron thing distracts from the poofy tummy thing! I don't think I'd do this pattern in a solid color!

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  13. It's adorable! Your husband's comment, I had to laugh, you don't think they notice a thing, and then they say something that surprises!

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    1. He's so cute - he's all proud of himself for picking up the lingo and being as analytical about my sewing as I am! What a doll!

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  14. I always find it funny when partners, who don't seem to take notice, actually know what they are talking about. I asked for my tailor's ham the other day and it was handed to me! I love the skirt!

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    1. Oooh! I don't think mine knows what a tailor's ham is yet! I should test him!

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  15. "Why didn't you do pattern matching at the seams?" AMAZING. That is hilarious (if a little irritating)! This maxi makes you look so TALL! I love it on you!

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    1. I agree! I actually think the maxis are elongating, so even us shorties can look like we're tall! Fooled ya!

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  16. I really, really like this skirt... It's one of my favorite uses of chevron that I've seen. And pls keep up with the posting about your coverstitch machine. I feel about 90% sure that you are going to make me get it. ;)

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    1. Thank you! You should definitely get one, since you're as into knits as I am. We ordered from Amazon, and Hubby has an Amazon card that gives him $ points, so we got another $50 knocked off the price because of that. Love that card!

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