Saturday, January 04, 2014

Crazy 8 Wardrobe: The Simple Skirt

I've finished the third piece from my Crazy 8 Wardrobe...the simple elastic waist skirt...which I've managed to turn into anything but simple.  I've given up believing that I can sew a simple straightforward garment.  I don't know if it's because I can see the potential a simple piece has or if I automatically load ideas onto a garment...taking it from simple to complex.  Who knows?

However, this is a piece that's meant to work with all of the tops in my wardrobe.  

Here are a few photos of the construction details...

Added a lining to the skirt and 
then lace to the skirt lining hem

Skirt fashion fabric and lining side by side 

Making a faux leather band for the sides of the skirt

Cutting out a 2" band to add to the side seams

Yes, I pinned the faux leather to the sides of the skirt

Used rayon seam binding to finish the edge of the casing

Ribbon added to the back of the skirt
to distinguish the front from the back

Faux leather stitched on the side of the finished skirt


The finished skirt on a hanger...




How I plan on wearing it...

With this white top that I made two years ago, and a RTW black silk & cashmere cardigan...

 

Photos of me wearing this skirt and pieces one & two later because my photographer is due to give birth any minute.  I spent a lot of my sewing vacay watching these two so she could get some rest and spend some time in the hospital.  It's been a difficult pregnancy and they keep moving her delivery date around for the health of the baby, though the stress is about to wear her out.




Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in sewing blogland who has mentioned me in a year end post. Your kind words have warmed my heart.  My hope is that I will continue to provide inspiration and information to all in 2014. 

...as always more later!

32 comments:

  1. Oooh - a new baby, babysitting and you still manage to sew!

    The skirt looks lovely, doubtless the new baby will be beautiful too.

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  2. Your skirt is lovely and very special with its details.

    How great to get a brother or sister for those little cuties.

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  3. Lovely skirt [everything you do is beautiful--such talent]
    How sweet of you to watch the grandkids , so mom can rest. Hope she and baby are doing good.. Congrats on the new baby [or rather soon to be born baby]
    Happy sewing 2014.

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  4. Congratulations on the upcoming grand baby! The skirt looks lovely.

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  5. Skirt is looking great. You have inspired me and this year I am taking action. Actually made a V1250 yesterday! About bloody time (as we Aussies would say). I want dresses for work and plan on making lots of variations of sheath dresses. Also sending good wishes to your daughter.

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  6. Wonderful skirt. Thanks for the new grand update. Enjoy. g

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  7. Exciting times ahead for you with a new grand baby to spoil. Congrats. That skirt looks like it will be cute on, and I don't think you have overloaded with ideas...just made a simple skirt feel special.

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  8. Great looking skirt - fashionable but still corporate..... You have the most gorgeous grandchildren...sure the new one will be too...they have such beautiful eyes and smiles...

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  9. My daughter in law also gave birth to grandbaby #3 this year. It was... busy... when we looked after the other two.

    At least you got some sewing done! :) I'd love to see whatever you make for the grandkids - if you do any sewing for them. My mom gets a lot of kid's clothes at thrift stores and sales so it's not worth it for me to sew them much, though I did make them all matching jammies for Christmas.

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  10. What cute grandchildren. I hope so much that your daughter does well and has the new baby with no further problems.

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  11. Great skirt interpretation and such beautiful kids. Mark my words, the last won't be least.

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  12. Love the skirt and the faux leather is a nice touch!

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  13. Love the extras you added to this skirt. The lace edging on the lining is a wonderful idea, and really adds a nice touch. The faux leather on the sides is a terrific idea. It's something that only a designer would think of adding.

    And lucky you getting to enjoy the company of those two gorgeous children. It's so nice to see a brother and sister so happy being with each other and you.

    Positive thoughts and prayers going your way for the whole family.

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  14. Nice skirt! Love how the faux leather strip at the side totally upgrades it. That and the lace on the lining hem.... I don't think you can call this skirt "simple" ;-)

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  15. Photos can wait. Lots of good thoughts for an easy delivery and a happy and healthy baby.

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  16. Aww, your grandkids are sooo cute!!! And I love your skirt too! I pray your daughter has an uncomplicated delivery.

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  17. I don't think that skirt will look good on you at all. If you send it to me, I'll give it a good home! LOL. Great fabric and idea.

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  18. Awww, grandma, I'll be thinking of you and praying for a safe delivery for the new little one! How exciting!!!!!

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  19. Fun skirt! I love the lace in the lining!

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  20. Lovely skirt - I have a similar one planned using one of my Mum's tartan fabrics and a co-ordinating ponte or corduroy as side panels. I love what you have done with the faux leather - very cute!

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  21. I love what you've done with a basic skirt pattern. It will look great with the shirt and cardigan you've shown. Oh, and your grandchildren are gorgeous! I hope everything goes smoothly for your next one.

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  22. Wow -- once again you've supplied me with a much-needed jolt of inspiration! I have black and white glen plaid in my stash (more than one piece, actually; it's a weakness), and a piece of black faux leather I grabbed from the JoAnne's remnant bin -- now all I need is the time. (I* will* make it...)

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  23. Giving you all positive thoughts, esp. your daughter, re: the birth of the new baby. I'm sure everything will be much more pleasant once he or she decides to come into the world :-)

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  24. Congratulations on that new grandbaby! I hope everything goes well and baby comes soon.

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  25. I love the skirt. ANd I love this blog. Happy New Year!

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  26. I like your idea of adding the ribbon to tell the difference between the back and front. I usually sew in a different color of thread in the back but I think I will use this going forward.

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  27. Wonderful skirt and it looks like it will go great with your other two pieces. Your grandchildren are just precious! I am sure # 3 will be, too!! Best wishes for you in 2014 and hope your daughter delivers a healthy baby soon!!

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  28. Woah, I've never seen this kind of dirndle elastic waist skirt look so elegant and professional! Nice additions and embellishments!

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  29. Carolyn, it's not that you make it more complicated, you make it better than most patterns ask of us these days. The black faux leather stripe is a perfect detail.
    Good luck to your daughter and your new grandchild.

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  30. Loving the skirt with the faux leather. Ok... must add that detail for the next project. Hoping all goes well with the delivery and your g-children are so adorable.

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  31. What a cute pair of kiddies your grandchildren are! The skirt is stylish and I love the lace on the lining; I'm gonna try that one day. The ribbon to show which is the back is also a good idea.

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  32. I love your garments, your color choices, your design aesthetic. So beautiful. :)

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