Sunday, January 13, 2013

Vogue 1247 - the best skirt pattern ever

Perhaps an overstatement but this really is a great skirt pattern. Note that I made this whole pattern up in July and knew right away that the skirt was  a winner that I would repeat. The top - never to cross my sewing machine again but I will count the whole effort as worthwhile to discover this skirt pattern.

Fuschia skirt

Which turned out quite differently in a fuschia wool gabardine I bought at a sewing guild sale. For a dollar.  Score! What is going on with me? As Pretty Grievances pointed out in her 2013 inspirations post, I have become a refashion fanatic. My satisfaction with projects has a direct relationship with the cost. The less I pay for some fabric the more I like the garment. Perhaps because I have been sewing for my whole life and purchased whatever fabric struck my fancy, then this recently discovered challenge to myself of the incredibile bargain fabric find is spuring on my creativity.  Or maybe I just love a deal. Probably a bit of both. But really, check out this fabric, and the lining was included!
And now we can play - Spot the Difference !  For those familiar with this pattern (76 reviews on Pattern Review) you can see that I eliminated the waistband. When I made the denim one in July that was the first thing that I planned to change, this skirt is perfect for a smooth waistband-less version.
Fuschia skirt frontFuschia skirt back

To do that the waist seam needs stabilization, and I could have fused the entire top but I didn't want the upper and lower sections to have a different weight. Instead I sewed the darts very gently, so as not to stretch out the top, then put stay tape across the waist seams, front and back. I planned to line the skirt as a mirror image of the outer fabric, but it seemed to need just a bit more stabilization across the waist area so I sewed in a 2" strip of silk organza interfacing.  Not using the pattern pieces or anything, just 2 inch by about 6' strips. Perfect amount of stabilization and heft. Silk organza is a miracle product and I use it more and more lately.
And the pockets needed a bit of stabilization too, so I put strips of silk organza there before I sewed the skirt front pieces together. 
skirt silk organza interfacing

pocket interfacing
Rummaging around in my every growing stash of hem lace found at yard sales for 10 cents a package (my maximum price)  I did find the perfect match.  If you look closely at the photo with the zipper tape sticking out above, I confess I did not have the exact color of zipper or anything close. So a dark purple was the winner and it will never show.  
Fuschia skirt hem
How about that jacket I am wearing in the first photo? It is absolutely ancient! Maybe 16 years old. But it still fits perfectly and the black and white houndstooth fabric is so nice. I wore it a zillion times the first few years, such a perfect business travel basic. But the fatal flaw - it was sooo long.  So one day I thought about shortening it, and I knew that bottom buttonhole would not look right. But I did it anyway!  And it does not look right to me.  Oh well.  I still wear it sometimes but quietly loathe that little last buttonhole.  

Houndstooth wool jacketVogue 1820 jacket pattern envelope

Now let's end on a happy note. This week I went to the same sewing guild group - and there was another sizeable piece of this lovely fuschia wool gabardine. I cannot resist a jewel tone and so I snapped it up.  I am thinking about a jacket, V8865, but I will resist the urge to wear it with this skirt and look every so matchy.  Anyway, that is way down the project list.

Stay warm and think of spring. Here in N. Calif. it is time to get outside and trim back the roses but I have not been able to motivate for that task, so nice and warm in the sewing room.
Happy January sewing, Beth

20 comments:

  1. Your skirt looks fabulous. Love the color. That waistbandless look is great too! So glad you like the pattern; I'm about to start making that skirt too.

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  2. I love your skirt! The colour is so great and I think it looks great with the jacket. I did the same thing with eliminating the waistband with a corduroy version I made in winter (not blogged yet) mostly because I didn't have enough fabric to make the waistband and I think it looks more natural this way.

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  3. I love this, thanks for sharing the organza idea, it's brilliant. I would try folding the bottom two corners of the jacket back on a 45 degree angle, see if you can "cut off" the button and button hole without impacting the pockets. I think that might also make it more current, would have to see what it looks like pinned. Good luck, looks terrific!

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  4. Very nice work, I love the total outfit with the red skirt.

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  5. The last button really doesn't catch my eye, and I was looking for it. Enjoy your jacket! The length in jackets is so difficult and annoying, as it seems to change subtlely every few years and I'm left with too-long jackets.

    Great find on the wool gab!!!

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  6. Looks great! I really want a nice red skirt, it's on my future sewing to-do list.

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  7. The skirt is beautiful. I love waistbandless skirts. I think they have such a polished look to them.

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  8. That is a great skirt!! I have that pattern and was going to make the top, but I think I'll try the skirt first. Silk organza - I love the stuff!!

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  9. It's so chic. The skirt is so simple and so well made x

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  10. Lovely! And what a smart, well-put together look with that gorgeous jacket. Looking good!!

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  11. Your new skirt is lovely; such a warm and cosy colour. I just love both the pieces in that pattern; one of my favourites too :)

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  12. Beautiful skirt -- love the color and the simple style. The jacket is great! I didn't even notice the bottom buttonhole. I actually had a couple of long jackets like that -- I think it was the style then and I was trying to get outfitted for my first post-college job. Not very flattering for someone as short as me! Stay warm!

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  13. The color is just gorgeous! I'm going to have to look in my stash and see if I have that pattern. And, we should definitely plan another meet up before I move to Seattle. Perhaps two!!

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  14. This is my most favorite skirt pattern. I love, love, love those pockets and I love, love, love, your skirt.

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  15. I love that skirt pattern, too. And I did not even notice the bottom button mon the blazer until you pointed it out - it is one good-looking blazer! Now I want one.

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  16. Great looking outfit. The skirt adds a zing of color. A rose like color, which occured to me when I read your comment about triming your roses. And as for the jacket, it just goes to show that when you sew classic styles, you can wear them forever,

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  17. Thank you for your comment Beth! and I'm interested that you did not know the term "broderie anglaise" "Eyelet" is the word we use to describe those metal rings that you punch into the fabric, to make a hole for lacing. What word do you use for that?
    Funny, the different terms we use in different parts of the world! Ours comes from straight from the UK usage, of course.

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  18. I love hearing new tips. Thanks so much. I love the lace on the hem. Such a beautiful finish. And your jacket is amazing. Testament to the longevity of beautifully handmade clothes.

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  19. This skirt pattern really looks like a winner - and yours in particular looks beautiful; gorgeous fabric, and I wish I could sew as well as you!

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  20. I think the jacket looks fabulous with the low button hole - reminds me of a shirt jacket in one of my Japanese sewing pattern books. Tailored and blue-collar, kind of.... LIKE!

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