Wednesday, October 15, 2014

I'm in Mourning...

I made this skirt a couple of years ago...



...I went to try it on to wear to work last week and it no longer fits...too big...so into the giveaway bag it went...because I don't alter, I sew.  Over the years I've been meaning to make another one.  Well I guess I now need to add it to my fall/winter sewing list.

Instead as I was putting the taupey beige ponte back into storage, I realized that it coordinated well with a new cardigan I'd recently purchased.  Still being heartbroken from losing that skirt, I whipped up a quick basic elastic waist skirt from my TNT skirt pattern which would give me a new outfit to wear to work.

A few details...

Have you ever had a slight issue with pushing the elastic through the channel and having it get stuck at the seams?  I solve this problem by stitching down both sides of the seams.  After the elastic is inserted and the waistband stitched closed, I add a row of stitching in the side seam..."stitch in the ditch" to hold the elastic steady.


A ribbon at the back waistline to tell the front from the back...


A little stitch witchery in the hemline instead of a row of stitching...


In 90 minutes a great new skirt to go with the new cardigan and a RTW tank:




I definitely plan on making another Vogue 1247 skirt soon...

...as always more later!

27 comments:

  1. Nice job. There's nothing like quick and easy, sometimes.

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  2. Great looking outfit.

    I realized last week that my favorite blouse (rtw from 5 years ago), had worn out beyond repair.

    Wish it was as quick to replace.

    I use the same tip for elastic casings, sew down the side seams.

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  3. I wish I could wear this colour. I love your outfit. One of my favourite and very well worn dresses but the dust last week, too!

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  4. I love this outfit. It looks fantastic on you. All my favourite blouses are getting close to the end of their lifespan. They are all RTW somaybe I shoud unoick them and use them as patterns? It is sad when favourite garments bite the dust though. :)

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  5. I cannot imagine not altering if I can. I still alter more than I sew from scratch: for years I had a habit of falling in love with fabrics I only saw in RTW, so there was no choice if I wanted the stuff to fit. And then there's those old dresses of mine that I am wider than now; that's a tough one but not impossible.

    And pretty please, could we see a close-up of this wonder elastic?

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  6. Great outfit, Carolyn. Now I have the skirt-making bug! :-)

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  7. I am in good company! I despise alterations!!! I just learned that elastic casing trick and boy does it make a huge difference!

    This look is so you! I love it.

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  8. What a great outfit! How wonderful that a new skirt takes so little time to sew.

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  9. Beautiful outfit, you look great.

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  10. You look so trim and very pretty in this lovely outfit! What a quick , yet perfect new addition to your wardrobe! :)

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  11. You definitely need another V1247 skirt! But what a great way to console yourself with a quick TNT.

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  12. "because I don't alter, I sew" +1 I alter for Jordan because my seamstress moved away. That's about it.

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  13. In mourning? Crazy. Get used to it and some lucky plus woman is going to be thrilled with your too big clothes.

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  14. They look like they were always meant to be paired up in an outfit! It looks great! I'm without a sewing machine at the moment and have had serious withdrawal, but so glad I can enjoy your blog and get lots of inspiration!

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  15. Oh, sad to hear about the loss of an old trusted friend! But I lurve the new skirt with that great cardigan! I am such a sucker for boyfriend cardigans.

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  16. "because I don't alter, I sew" I LOVE this!

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  17. I don't like to alter either, try to avoid it when I can. I really like your new outfit.

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  18. Making lemonaide out of lemons! You can really pull something out of the box, so you didn't mourn for long!

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  19. Oh whoa--what a great match and looks great on you!

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  20. Lovely, chic colours. Perfect for autumn! Rachel ☺

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  21. I love this whole outfit. That's the beauty of knowing how to sew, you can whip up a garment in a few hours and have a new outfit the next day for work.

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  22. Good morning, Carolyn - First of all... congrats on that older skirt being too large. I know how challenging weight loss can be. Next... you look great in the new outfit. Finally... when sewing for my now 44 year old son when he was little I became a pro at flat construction. I transferred a lot of those techniques to making clothes for big people, including elastic insertion. Rather than close the casing, I close my elastic circle then fold the casing over it and sewing it down, using the free arm when necessary. You'll discover that it's a huge time saver and there is absolutely no difference in the way the finished product looks for wears.

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  23. Looks like the whole ensemble was purchased together! All the pieces go together perfectly. You have a good eye!

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