Ticking Off the Boxes

Yesterday I (mostly) made that skirt I told you about a few weeks ago.  I had really meant to just make the muslin (a.k.a. the lining) but couldn't stop myself and did the whole darn thing, minus the hem!  It's exciting because this project ticks off a lot of boxes:  I used a vintage pattern, I inserted a lining where the pattern didn't call for one, I got to cross it off my sewing to-do list, and I got to remove the fabric from my stash inventory!

Here's a reminder of the pattern I used:  This is McCall's 6409, circa 1962.

Although this is a vintage pattern, it's kind of a cheat in terms of my goal of making something from a vintage sewing pattern.  I made the A-line skirt in the middle - really there's not a lot that's simpler than an A-line skirt, and I'd been looking for a nice pattern for a while when I came across this one.  It also includes a full- and half-circle skirt pattern, all in my waist size, so that's a bonus.  I was intrigued by the fact that the recommended fabric for the full circle skirt is felt.  I'm having a hard time imagining wearing a skirt made of felt!

I traced my pattern pieces well over a month ago, and took a couple pictures at the time, since it was my first time with a vintage pattern.  In the first one, you can get a good look at the shape of the hip.  I really like that curve; it seems that so many modern A-line skirt patterns have straight side seams.  This is a better fit for my shape.

It was also interesting to me that the lengthen/shorten line was at the bottom edge.  Not too surprising I guess in a skirt this full.

Otherwise, not much was different between this pattern and a modern one.  And OK - I have to admit that it feels a little weird for me to call a pattern from 1962 "vintage" given that I was born in 1964.  Yeesh!  So hard to believe that was 50 years ago!

Here's my sewing table (a.k.a dining table) yesterday, mid-skirt:

As you see, I've got my trusty lining book out to hold my hand.  It ended up being really easy and intuitive:  you make your entire skirt including the zipper but minus the waistband, and then make the lining except for sewing the side seam that has the zipper.  Then you sew the lining to the zipper on the opposite side from the fabric, so that the zipper tape is sandwiched in between the outer fabric and the lining.  I don't really know why I was getting myself into a mental tizzy about it!

I was a little amused by the instructions:  this pattern is rated as "recommended for beginners:"

But when it gets to the section for installing the zipper, it just says "Insert zipper according to instructions on package."  I guess that's how zippers came back in the day?  I do remember that actually from the '80s (the nineteen eighties!).   The pattern calls for a lapped zipper, but I'm just not a fan, so I did an invisible zipper.  I know I say this every time I do an invisible zipper, but this truly was my best one yet!

The other thing about the instructions that made me giggle was that it says this:

Wow!  Only four?  Well, no.  Each "step" has a number of sub-steps!  Liars!

Not that it mattered.  I didn't follow the instructions at all!

I didn't realize it until I was actually cutting out the fabric, but the front piece is wider than the back, which takes the side seams slightly to the back of the skirt.  I think that's a nice touch.

One thing I am following the instructions on is hemming:  for once, I'm actually letting the skirt hang for a few days so that the bias parts can relax.

I'm even going to do the measuring from the floor up.  I'm going to have to take off several inches.  I want this to hit just below the knee (like in the picture).  There's a two-inch hem allowed, but the pattern is obviously drafted for someone much taller than 5'4" - unhemmed, this hits me at the low calf.

Here's a picture of the hanging skirt.  I like how the pool designs come across as huge polka-dots.  I actually moved my pieces around so I didn't get a polka-dot on my solar plexus or "lady area."  I was proud of myself for remembering to do that!

And here's a close-up of my favorite part of the print:  check out these people, just chillaxin' with a book next to the pool:

With the lining the skirt has a nice heft and drape.  But I'm wishing I'd altered the pattern for my less-full right hip (which always plagues me).  I'd thought the skirt was full enough for that not to be noticeable, but it's not.  Live and learn!

Gratuitous dart and waistband shot.