Monday 22 September 2008

Crumple...


The local library sells old magazines, books, and sometimes patterns. Of a bunch of suit and coat patterns that I've lined up for trying out, this one seemed the easiest to start with. Easy being relative, of course - the patterns are in French and Dutch, and even then the instructions are as basic as they could be. Still, it was fun and I'm quite pleased with the result.


Cotton might not be the most sensible option for a skirt, particularly if you spend most of your working day sitting down. But it was quick - I only had to put the zip in twice (and now I know how to do an invisible zip, and how to machine stitch a hem!) I couldn't work out the size from the pattern, and it was much too big, so I took in the front panel by stitching the excess down to match the inserts. Which sort of worked!

The large advert for a seam ripper on the back of the pattern suggests that this kind of thing is a normal part of the process:

9 comments:

Karen Barbé said...

Fabulous skirt and it looks so modern! I would have never guessed it was made from a vintage pattern.

Jan said...

That looks so cute!!! I've been so interested in making clothing recently - totally inspired now!

Lori said...

What a great skirt! I agree that it looks quite modern. I love the vintage pattern cover!!

painted fish studio said...

wow. when do you start taking orders? :)

Anairam said...

That skirt looks great! Our local library sells old books but no patterns unfortunately. Not that I can sew...

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

My seam ripper is one of my favorite sewing tools. The skirt came out wonderfully. I used to sew all the time (mainly because I had no money!) from my grandmother's old patterns. It's a fun project.

Dizzy said...

Very impressive! It really looks very professionally made> I have to admit the unpicker gadget is my favourite tool!

Heather Moore said...

Beautiful! And suits you just right!

Anonymous said...

Jesse, this skirt is splendid! I really like the front stitching detail, and the colour is lovely. I found (what I hope is) a simple pattern to make my 'specimen' skirt but I haven't been brave enough to cut the fabric yet (never having done any clothes sewing I'm afraid it will all go horribly wrong... time to 'face the fear' methinks :)
Love the drawing of the seam ripper too!