Thursday, March 24, 2011

NL 6899: a new "vintage" circle skirt

Circle skirt, finished!

Here's the backstory.  Last week I found myself infatuated with this series of photos via Pinterest:


That dress is TDF!  Yellow, lace, circle skirt?  Bicycle??  It apparently was a photoshoot for Vogue, but don't quote me on that. 

Knockoff wheels started turning.  I had just pulled an icy blue satin from stash (10 years old minimum), thinking I'd use it matte side out because the color was richer (plus, more practical).  And last fall I placed a huge order for assorted colors of nylon tricot and laces from Sew Sassy for some lingerie (um, that's all still on THE LIST).  After I saw the above photos, it took me about 35 seconds to put the two together!

I started with this New Look pattern (not vintage but vintage-esque!) 6899:


I love this pattern because it has both a full circle and a half circle version, in two lengths.  I used the long version, full circle skirt.  I had to fudge just a teeny bit on length due to my yardage on hand but I knew I was adding the lace so that made up most of the difference. 

I cut a straight waistband, planning to do a side lapped zip.  I hate shaped waistbands.  They never sit correctly on my waist.   (And it's easy to cut a straight waistband substitute!  No pattern piece needed!)  That brought the skirt up a little in length, since my waistband was narrower than the shaped on in the pattern.  I love the finished length though.  I think it's perfect (even if that's a fluke):

I'm hoping it's more "slip-like" and less "she's wearing a slip with no skirt!"  Ha. 

My big cheat...I didn't have a zip (story of my life) and rather than sit on this project for several days I just did an elastic waist!


I used the waistband piece I had already cut and sewed it together in a circle, the pressed it in half lengthwise wrong sides together.  I cut a piece of 1" elastic to fit and sewed it together in a circle too.  Then I just tucked the circle of elastic into the waistband and pinned close to the bottome edge of the elastic. Stitch close to the edge with a zipper foot.  You do have to stop about 3/4 of the way around and redistribute the fullness of the waistband because it is longer than the circle of elastic.  I just redistribute, pin again and sew. 

Last step is just pinning the waistband to the skirt and stitching in place.  I serged the raw seams:


Note that I have a double row of stitching.  When I stitched to the skirt, I could see the first line of stitching in a couple of places, so I had to go back over it again. 

Pinning that lace into place was a job!  I pinned about 1/2 of the skirt and stitched, then pinned the rest in place and stitched  I used a zigzag and followed along the lace header.  Which...was CURVED. I didn't realize that until I went to pin, but the color was so perfect I sucked it up. 


After stitching, I trimmed away the excess fabric from behind, close to the zigzag stitching.  I would have gotten closer, but I'm not convinced this satin won't fray like the devil when it's washed.  This will probably be a handwash item!  Here's the interior where you can see the fabric trimmed away (and the shiny side of the satin is on the inside!)


That's about it!  Pretty new skirt for not a lot of work.  Now let's see if I can get that plaid dress finished today!  I'm already eyeballing a new project. 

24 comments:

  1. That is a BEAUTIFUL skirt!!!! I love it and the color is fantastic.

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  2. Stunning little skirt, definitely slip-like which is what makes it so special. Love the lace!!!

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  3. You did a great job..very girly Spring with the lace. (I've got a pattern giveaway at my blog, if you're intereted)

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  4. Super cute! I love the lace. I don't think anyone will think it's a slip. Do regular people even bother with slips anymore??

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  5. Angie, this is so pretty! Love the icy blue color and softly contrasting lace. What a winner!

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  6. What an amazing dress! I cringed thinking of it caught in the change or wheels.

    Your blue skirt is lovely, so feminine and soft. It looks good with your coral cardigan.

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  7. So lovely! I adore this skirt!! I've been wanting to do a lace trim for awhile and this is totally my inspiration!

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  8. Really pretty skirt plus I have those shoes too! heehe

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  9. So pretty and feminine. I love how you have paired it with the coral cardigan and yellow shoes. Such a fresh looking outfit.

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  10. So pretty. I love the hemline

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  11. Very pretty skirt and great styling with the shoes and cardigan...

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  12. Too cute! I'm loving lace right now, just searching for the right project.
    Something girly, like your skirt :-)

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  13. Great job! The skirt is really lovely! I love the colour and the lace at the hem is really something!

    B.

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  14. Love the skirt! The color is gorgeous and the lace adds the perfect touch!

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  15. ~ * ♥ * ~

    I love your skirt Angie! I think I'll have to do my own knockoff too.... The lace detail is gorgeous! : D

    xox,
    bonita of Depict This!
    ~ * ♥ * ~

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  16. That is very pretty. I love the way you combine quite unconventional colours.

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  17. A cute, flirty girl skirt! It's very pretty, feminine, and looks great on you.

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  18. That turned out beautiful. I admire how you were able to look at those photos and think: I can do that myself!

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  19. Very cute and flattering. I love the colours you have pulled together in that outfit!

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  20. Jen M4:57 PM

    Absolutely adorable! You look great in this outfit :)

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  21. Did I tell you how dang cute that skirt it? I love it. I've looked at that pattern a number of time, but can't remember if I have it.

    Now I want photos of you riding a bike - or maybe a horse. g

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  22. Oh I love it! I love anything with lace, and I especially love the length- so perfect!

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  23. Looks good and worn with the coral cardigan it's really outstanding!

    I'm worried about the skirt in the inspiration photos....it's going to get chewed up in the bike spokes! From one who knows....

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  24. BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I'm going to have to get this pattern! I love it!

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