Sunday, June 30, 2013

A Designer Cotton Print Skirt

After my last Mood Project, my niece's prom dress, I decreed that my next project would be something easy using one of the designer cottons that I'd seen in the NYC Mood store.  It's one of the nice things about the NYC store, the aisles are long and filled to the brim with possibilities.  However, this cotton print by Theory was in a bin right near the front of the aisle...


...and even though I walked the entire length of the aisle and touched several awesome pieces, I kept coming back to the Theory print.  Now don't get me wrong,  Mood doesn't just have wonderful designer cottons in the NYC store, there also some pretty ones online too. Some that would work just as well as the one I chose for my first skirt of the summer.

See I wasn't originally going to make a skirt.  I was going to go with my fave garment, a dress, but the weather here on the East Coast has been horribly hot...and the other day I wore a print cotton pique skirt, a tank top and a little cardigan to work and it was perfect.  Perfect for the manufactured cold of the bus and my office, yet when I removed the cardigan it was perfect to walk the streets of NYC and to ride the subway.  So even though I originally imagined this as a dress...on the cutting table it became a skirt.


The Pattern ~
Of course I started with a  tried 'n true (TNT) pattern.  I mean they work for me.  I've probably made dozens of these skirts over the years and honestly I see no reason in switching up now. So here is the original pattern that I altered from an ankle length skirt to get my current mid-knee length skirt pattern ~ McCalls 2795 with a copyright date of 2000.  Not as old as some in my collection, but a great workaholic pattern, just the same.


Fabric & Notion Stats:
Fabric ~
2.5 yards of Theory Cotton Print from Mood Fabrics

Notions ~
1 yard of 1" wide non-roll elastic
2.5 yards of lime rayon lining 
2 yards of gray rayon seam tape


As you can see, I've paired the skirt with a solid color RTW tank top and a lime green RTW cardigan.  I think this color combination screams summer yet it works in my conservative work environment that lightens up just a little for summer.


Sewing Techniques ~

  • Construction was easy because it has an elastic waistband...good for us waistline challenged women! 
  • It has four gores cut and sewn together. 
  • Assembled the lining, added a 1/2" hem then stitched it down. 
  • I added the lining to the skirt, by stitching right sides together and then flipping the lining into the skirt.
  • Pressed the seam flat and open and then edge stitched the two pieces together.
  • Formed a casing by turning under 1.5", pressed it flat and then stitched down.
  • Before inserting the elastic, I hemmed the skirt using a 1/2" seam. I encased the hem in rayon seam binding and added two rows of machine stitching to form the hem.
  • The final step was to add a loop of the rayon seam binding to the center back seam so that I'd know the skirt front from the back.




However, it's really the fabric that makes this skirt sing.  I love how the cotton drapes in the back of the skirt and gives it such a wonderful silhouette.


It is a great addition to my wardrobe.  I love the color combination and florals are really big this summer. Plus it will be wonderfully easy to wear, especially in this hot, humid and steamy weather we're experiencing now on the East Coast!  It's also the first thing to come out of my newly updated sewing workroom.  It took a minute to get back into the swing of things and it took me an entire day to make this...but I'm back.

...as always more later!



31 comments:

  1. I love the fabric/color/print and the green cardigan is perfect with it.

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  2. that is a wonderful skirt and will add just the right pop of color into your wardrobe. I'm glad it's work appropriate for you. g

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  3. What a wonderful addition to your wardrobe. I love the print and the pop of colour in the lime green cardy - definitely fresh for summer.

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  4. Beautiful skirt and stunning fabric! It works so well with the cardi!

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  5. Gorgeous! Love the fabric and it looks so nice with the plain tank top

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  6. That's lovely...if you have fabric left over why not make a little matching tank or blouse to give you even more options?

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  7. Great print and you look very summery fresh.

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  8. What a lovely skirt. The pattern and fabric are awesome and it looks great on you. Nice job.

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  9. what a great print and, yes, it drapes wonderfully and looks so summery

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  10. love it with the lime green cardi

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  11. 2nd try at posting - Love your skirt and fabric choice! You wear it well.

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  12. That's such a pretty, and cool looking outfit. Love that print skirt.

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  13. It's a wonderful skirt and the color combo of the cardigan is really pretty.

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  14. A wonderful skirt. Love the colour, the drape, and how great it looks with the top and cardigan. Great for hot weather.

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  15. I simply love it! I want one!

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  16. Great look especially with the cardi. TFS

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  17. I love the color-coordination!

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  18. I love it... And it's so flattering. I'm a very new to this, still looking for some TNT patterns. I'm not even sure how I found your blog, but it was very recently, and I just had to say how much I've been enjoying it. Thanks for all the work you do putting it together!

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  19. That fabric is divine. I would have kept coming back to it as well. I love the skirt paired with the lime green cardi. It makes the green in the skirt stand out so much more!

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  20. i agree, great color and fabric, very current and you look nice and cool :)

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  21. Love those colors on you. Great skirt. Miss you!

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  22. sewing in a tag to tell front from back - I do that too! Love the new skirt, the lime cardigan sets it off nicely

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  23. Super outfit. You look great in the outfit.

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  24. WELCOME BACK!!! I can only imagine how great it feels to have your sanctuary back! As beautiful as your clothes are, why not invest in some personalized labels? I used to make loops to help me tell the front from the back of elastic waist garments. One day, I decided to treat myself to a package of personalized labels, and have never turned back. My labels "Made Especially for you by Vernelle" adorn just about everything I make... even my own clothes. After doing all the work, you deserve to treat yourself to that inexpensive little personal touch.

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  25. I bet you're happy to be back in your sewing room! I agree, the skirt really has a nice drape to it. It's a great color combo on you and just in general.

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  26. Love it! Perfect for summer.

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  27. Lovely skirt and perfect with the cardigan.

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  28. A very pretty skirt and it looks great with your green cardi!

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  29. Beautiful skirt. I'm still trying to understand your lining tips. Can you take more photos if you do it again? I cannot wait to get TNT patterns. Thanks for sharing.

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  30. Love it,fabulous looking with and without the cardi !

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  31. I LOVE this skirt, holy cow. I'm kind of obsessed with that fabric, ha I love it!! And yes I'm commenting on a super old post which means I've totally been stalking your archives for that Thakoon skirt for the last little bit. haha and it wasn't a lost cause because I seriously love this skirt, one of my favorites of yours!

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