An Experiment in Practicality

Another skirt, but this time, a bit of an experiment.  I've thought about making a  waterproof skirt for a year or two but I've never actually got around to making  it up.  The two pairs of waterproof trousers I made last year (or the year before, I forget) weren't the success I had hoped they would be but I think I know where they need improving, and that's on the list of things to be tackled this year.

Currently there are some skirts I can't wear to work because they won't travel in the rucksack and/or won't roll up so they can be worn inside the waterproof trousers easily.   Also, if it starts to rain half way home, there is no such thing as quickly slithering into a pair of waterproof trousers whilst retaining any shred of dignity.  However, I hope that a skirt can be kept in the rucksack, and theoretically should be able to be stepped into and zipped on over my existing clothes.  I've made it long enough that I should be able to tuck trousers into my socks to keep the hems clean, and long enough to cover most of my skirts.  I've made the waist and hips extra large and put on very wide belt loops which are longer than the waistband is deep, to accommodate a variety of belts and allow the skirt to be belted on over a variety of weights of garment as well as hopefully being reasonably easy to get into and out of in a hurry.  The large waist also means that for longer than average skirts, I can leave it unbelted and it will drop to sit on my hip bones, giving an extra three inches of hem coverage if required.  The waistband overlap has an oversized press stud to close it instead of the more usual hook and bar or button.   In the photo I am wearing it over the top of a reasonably wide A line denim skirt.   Please excuse the bare feet.  Its rather warm in Yorkshire today, and I'm making the most of this rare-ish event. 

I didn't think of everything.  It would be very much improved by the addition of a box pleat at the front to give extra walking ease.  This version was made from a remnant and there was only just enough fabric to cut the A line garment and have enough spare for belt loops and waistband.  If this version works, I will make another with a  box pleat.

The pattern for the skirt was the lining pieces from a Marfy pleated A line skirt.  The front (which later became the back) was cut on the fold but with the seam allowance included (adding ten eighths to the front piece).  The side seams were cut a quarter inch wider and the curve for the waist partially removed to straighten the garment and add ease at the hips.  It could do with a touch more in the hips I think.  The back, now front, was cut with the correct seam allowance on the center but an extra half inch on the side seams, again tapering straight to give a larger waist/hip area.
All seams were sewn at half an inch to add a bit more ease, and then finger pressed to one side and top stitched down with two lines of stitching (like jeans) to try to make the seams a touch more likely to turn the water.  I've not taped the seams but if it works, I can always do that to a future version.

The zipper is a centred application and now appears at center front, having been planned in the back, but of course that would require my belt to buckle at the back.  Doh!!!   Next time I'll do a fly zipper with a fly shield to help with water/wind proofing. 

Waistband is two inches deep, with over sized belt loops.  These actually go over the top of the waistband and down the back, to be fixed in the inner waistband.  Because I forgot to do a two piece waistband and I hate belt loops sewn to the reverse of the top of the waistband.