Tuesday, June 02, 2015

My Version of the Talbot's Skirts

My new work environment is more business casual than "professional."  So along with donating most of my too big professional skirts, I'm sewing more fun, colorful and print palooza skirts. My fabric choices were definitely influenced by this recent Talbots catalog's wares.


So here are the skirts in order of construction:

Paisley Print Palooza Skirt~
I bought this fabric from Fabric Mart earlier this year. It's a mid-weight cotton pique with a touch of lycra. Perfect for a straight skirt. A few details about this skirt:

  • It has a kickpleat vent in the back seam
  • I used the slimmer 3/4" waistband that I like.
  • The lycra in the fabric gives it a cross grain stretch that goes around my body, where I need it most.
  • The waistband was cut vertically so that there's no stretch in it.
  • No interfacing was added to the waistband to keep it from being too stiff.
  • Finally there is a button/buttonhole closure on the waistband.
  • The hem is machine stitched.
This skirt works with both the navy blue jacket from "The Interview Blues" outfit and a couple of cardigans in my collection. It's a great business casual outfit.

The skirt is worn with a RTW tank and short sleeve sweater


Fruit Salad Linen Skirt~
The fabric for this skirt was purchased during my Expo trip earlier this year. I bought enough to make a skirt. I'm only including one pic of this skirt because I made a top to go with the skirt. The top will be discussed in a future post.


  • When I went to lay the fabric out, I realized that I didn't like the horizontal bands the pattern created. 
  • So I cut the skirt out on the crosswise grain. 
  • The waistband was also cut out on the crossgrain so the two pieces wouldn't fight against each other and Dritz waistband interfacing was added to stabilize it.
  • The fabric is lightweight and slightly sheer so I underlined it with a cotton batiste.
  • The fabric handled differently than the paisley print so I used slightly smaller side seams. 
  • I added rayon seam binding to the hem and hand stitched it.
  • A button/buttonhole closure was added to the waistband.

This skirt is business casual and that's great. It's a wonderful new addition to my wardrobe.

Blue Skies Blazing Skirt~
I found this piece buried in the blues/green section of the collection. I gasped when I pulled it out because it was just enough for a skirt. This one is a mid-weight cotton sateen so I left it unlined. I love the print on this fabric and how summery it looks.


All of the construction techniques mentioned in the first two skirts, apply to this one too. There is nothing new to add, so a few pretty pictures.




Conclusion~
While this was quick and easy sewing for me, I'm thrilled to add these new skirts to my wardrobe. I do have to admit it's going to take a minute for me to get used to wearing a closer fit...and these all have a closer fit. These skirts are the building blocks to a new work/play wardrobe.

...as always more later!



41 comments:

  1. Congratulations on landing the new job! Your skirts are just lovely, and so summery.

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  2. love these new skirts and the closer fit! I just love to see you smiling and happy in the photos! You just shine! g

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  3. These are great casual smart outfits and very cheerful. Love the last outfit. You really suit the light blue

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  4. congratulations with the new job. Lovely summer skirts. must feel different when you dress in the morning compated to the more formal business outfits you were used to.

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  5. I have to thank you for buying the fruit print, showing it on your blog, and sewing it up. My yardage of it is still hanging in the sewing room, crosswise is definitely the way to go with something that breaks out in stripes like that. Love what you've done with these; feels so cheerful!

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  6. Fun, pretty skirts and they look nice on you!

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  7. Great skirts and I am going to watching closely to see your "business casual" wardrobe as this is pretty much were I work.

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  8. What lovely skirts! I like the way you used the crosswise design on the second one too. :-)

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  9. They are lovely Carolyn, perfect for your new workplace. Congrats from me too.

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  10. I love a colourful yet simple skirt especially in summer - you've started me thinking....

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  11. Congratulations on your new career move; may it all go well for you. The skirts are all lovely, so pretty and perfect for Summer. I think I like the fruit one best of all.

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  12. These skirts are so fun! I'm anxious to see your more casual sewing now, since mine is a casual lifestyle.

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  13. Love the new skirts! Not sure which is my favorite as I LOVE them all! Best wishes on your new job!

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  14. You are rocking with these skirts!!! Love them all!

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  15. These skirts all look great on you - love the colors & the fit. Skirts are a staple for me in AZ as they are cooler to wear . Great job

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  16. Love them all Carolyn, and you look great!

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  17. Beautiful skirts! You look wonderful in them!

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  18. ack!!! The blue cardigan and skirt is my absolute fave! Such great looks!!

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    1. Mine too! Looks great in every way....color, fit, style.

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  19. These are all fantastic, but I'm swooning over the paisley, and your pattern matching on it!

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  20. I LOVE your new look! Shows off your beautiful curves!!! Congrats on your new job.

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  21. Congratulations on your new job! I love the pencil skirts, very beautiful. You look nice.

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  22. Oh what fun skirts and they do shout out "summer'!

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  23. Congratulations and you're looking fabulous.

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  24. Very chic skirts! You look like a Talbot's Ad!

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  25. Great skirts, all of them, your dressing is obviously less formal at your new job. All the best!

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  26. Love all of your colorful skirts - great prints!

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  27. A close fit sewn as well as you do, will always look very tailored and fitting for work. They call it 'smart' dressing.

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  28. Well, my dear, you are off to a great start with your new wardrobe. I like them especially the first one. It's prettier than your inspiration skirt.

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  29. I especially love that blue print, but these are all great skirts and will work well in your new work (& casual) wardrobe.

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  30. Three great jobs! I love skirts with knit tops or over shirts!

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  31. Fruit salad skirt!!! Ahh, love it! Can't wait to read more about the top. That is super cool fabric.

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  32. I love your pretty skirts! I'm always tempted to save pictures from Talbots, Boden and Lands End because they use such pretty prints. You look great. How long before your new coworkers are asking where you get all those great skirts?!

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  33. Fabulous. Fabulous. Nothing like a great skirt, or several in this case, to take wardrobe tops to the next level! Congratulations on your new gig! WERK!!!

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  34. Great skirts! Very flattering cut too :)

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  35. How very perfect that your need for a new wardrobe coincides with a new job that requires a new wardrobe! I love your new skirts and think you look terrific in them!!

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  36. I wanted to let you know how truly inspiring you are to me. By honoring your body the way it is, the amazing clothes you sew and the few glimpses we see of how much you love your family. It's amazing and you should be proud of yourself!

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  37. It's so fun to see you in prints and colors! Hooray for business casual!

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  38. WOW! What I noticed FIRST is your continued stunning weight loss. You are really looking good! Second, you've totally nailed this season's feminization of skirts with beautifully colored floral fabrics. Your fabric choices here are lovely and the skirts look like a million bucks! Creative Hormone Rush

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