Inspiration:
A feature in Lucky Magazine highlighting the pencil skirt done in a large scale floral print or a graphic print.
The Challenge:
Create a pencil skirt works on our own body and use a bold print. Participants are Carolyn, Cidell, LindsayT, and Marji. (Marji proposed the challenge after reading Carolyn's post of May 9 and asked a few fellow sewists she emails and talks to regularly if they wanted to participate.)
The skirt:
Pattern used:
TNT Skirt Pattern
Fabric/Fabric source:
100% Rayon Print from
Construction details:
I used a graphic print for my version of the skirt. It is a bold and daring print that I thought it best emulated the skirts shown in Lucky. The construction was fairly straightforward. I did add a lining to my skirt but I chose a lime green piece that I only had a remnant of...which necessitated having to add a piece of 3" lace trim to the hem of the lining pieces.
Even then it was shorter than I normally like for a lining...however, it does work...so I went with it.
And even though I've been on an invisible zipper application craze, I ended up using a regular centered zipper application in this skirt. Partially because I had no 9" invisible zippers on hand and partially because the regular zipper matched the skirt and lining soooooo well...that color coordination trumped new technique! So into the skirt it went! *LOL*
This was a fun exercise to participate in and I've ended up with a very cute, very trendy skirt that works really well with the soft lime green twinset I already own. I've had some great conversations with friends and I've learned a new fitting technique from Marji - "The Fitting Goddess!" Now I'm ready for another Fashion Friday!
Love this idea that you all started with. All your skirts look so wonderful. Yours really is lovely with the twinset to go with it. Very spring/summer feeling.
ReplyDeleteYour skirt looks great! What a fun and summery print!
ReplyDeleteLove love love this skirt ! The fabric is just terrific, and the style looks so great on you!
ReplyDeletebut then again...you always "wear it with style" :)
Love the idea of friends participating in a project challenge. Your skirt outfit is very slimming. Beautiful summer outfit.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a great idea - lots of fun! Your skirt is lovely and matches that twin set so well.
ReplyDeleteThat's so cute!
ReplyDeleteThis looks just like the Lucky prints! I love this skirt on you, Carolyn. One day we will do lunch together in NYC and both wear our skirts, right?!
ReplyDeleteBeing short and rather stumpy, I tend to shy away from large scale anything, but this works. Maybe because it's at the bottom and there is something of a plain color between the skirt and the rest of the body - I'm not sure. But it works and I LOVE your print. Very graphic - but definitely not swirly or printy. Great stuff, Carolyn!
ReplyDeleteFits your inspiration piece perfectly.Love the colors. You look great. It's fun to see all of your all's skirts.
ReplyDeleteI L-O-V-E that print! It looks perfect and summer-y!
ReplyDeleteThe blue, white, and green are wonderful together. I also really like your twin set.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful skirt! It matches your twinset perfectly. What a great way to utilize that fantastic print!
ReplyDeleteThis is the fourth "skirting around" I have opened this morning and each is as lovely as the previous one. The color of the fabric is great and the ft is perfect on you! Wonderful job!
ReplyDeleteI love the fabric you chose! It matches the twinset perfectly.
ReplyDeleteLove the skirt on you! It really catches the feel of the Lucky spread and looks so summery and chic.
ReplyDeleteThis looks fabulous! What a great idea and all of you look great! I look at large prints like this and never know how to handle them. This is perfect and of the moment!
ReplyDeleteGreat white handbag too!
ReplyDeleteFabulous interpretation of this inspiration piece. Love the print you used, and it looks wonderful on you. Hehe, did you see I borrowed your lace on the lining hem technique?
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous and I love the colors. So are you going to share with us the new fitting technique you learned?
ReplyDeleteI love your skirt... very summery...and the colors are beautiful....
ReplyDeleteVery summery! Nice job. I love seeing the lining--for some reason I am always thrown by sewing it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great skirt and it looks great on you! Love the colors!
ReplyDeleteVery nice!
ReplyDeleteOh Carolyn it looks fabulous! Glad to see all is well and the quiet was worth the wait. g
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful skirt! The entire outfit is stunning on you.
ReplyDeleteTHAT looks awesome on you. Great colors, great fit, great combo with the separates. Like Gigi said, stunning. You should make more outfits like that! Very flattering. :) I just might have to make a similar outfit for myself. Love lime green and blues.
ReplyDeleteGreat outfit! Love the colors.
ReplyDeleteLovely ensemble. This past weekend I fiddled and daddled over what to sew and a pencil skirt came to mind.
ReplyDeleteThe colors and print are so perfect for you and the season! It really brightens you up and draws attention to your pretty face.
ReplyDeleteWhat a joy it is to read your blog! As usual, you look great! Love the idea of adding lace to your lining, like you I do so as well after reading about an Australian Stitches magazines.......a very, ver nice detail!
ReplyDeleteSo you're the one that bought that fabric! Had my eye on it for such a long time that when I was ready to purchase, it was gone! Ah well, all for a good cause - the skirt looks fantastic! (And I did manage to find the very same fabric locally, so no hard feelings ;))
ReplyDeleteBeautiful print. It looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThis looks wonderful on you. I love it.
ReplyDeletePerfection! Yes, color does triumph technique at times.
ReplyDeleteI adore the print you have used for your skirt. I always line my skirt with lace trim too.
ReplyDeleteSo Lilly Pulitzerish - bright, cheerful and just right for summer. Now I think I'll have to make one for myself!
ReplyDeleteThis was a terrific post--thank you so much. I had such a good time clicking on the other skirt-makers' posts and reading them. I know just what I'm going to make my pencil skirt out of--a tigerish print linen-cotton that I purchased at a quilt show in January. You've given me courage, but since we are HOT here in the summer, I'm skipping the lining, I think.
ReplyDeleteDo straight skirts qualify? I have a really comfortable Loes Hinse design (the Brussels Skirt) which has become a uniform.
Elizabeth
Very cute skirt, it looks fantastic on you.
ReplyDeleteSo cute.
ReplyDeleteI think you guys just started a "bold print skirt" craze! I love those colors.
ReplyDeleteChristina took the words right off my keyboard. Exactly, I predict a bunch of bold skirts popping up everywhere now, they all look great.
ReplyDeleteThe skirt is bold and cute. I like the affect of the added lace. Hmmm..., I've to try that.
ReplyDelete"New, trendy and fun" - This describes this skirt exactly! Just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI love how this skirt looks on you and the fabric is to die for, wow, so beautiful
ReplyDelete