Here it is as drafted in Navy stretch bengaline left over from the recent Barb Pants. I'm not sure that the fabric was the ideal choice as its not particularly drapey, and fairly thick. The recommended fabric was a light weight jersey but I didn't have one in stash that would work and wanted this bit of fabric out of the cupboard. (I'm currently sewing down stash remnants and left overs as well as a small pile of knits that no longer fill me with joy). The pleats need a bit of faffing with to get them to sit nicely and I think it may be one of those garments you have to constantly adjust. I've not worn it all day yet so can't be sure. I do think in a more sensible fabric it would behave better and I will look out for something suitable when the new season fabrics come into the stores.
It doesn't have that strange belled out bit when worn. Twiggy the dressform has no legs and the pleats rely on being under tension across the body. But the skirt does look a hot mess when not on the body and has zero hanger appeal. Luckily it looks nice when worn.
The pattern can be made with pleats only on the front, or pleats right around... or plain front and back. So I made a plain one as well the same afternoon. I wanted a bit of corduroy out of the cupboard as well and have some tops planned that will work with it. But its got very little stretch and this is a knits only pattern. Never one to be stopped by a little thing like that, I added a half inch to each side seam, and a further half inch to the lining I decided I needed, (which was very stable indeed so needed more ease than the slightly stretchy cord) and just cut it out. Tacked the skirt together leaving a gap for a zipper, pin fitted it, apart from the waist which was much too large, sewed it, then had help pinning in two darts for the waist front and back. Added a one inch waistband, installed the lining and rather than trying to replicate the darts just folded the lining over into a pleat over each dart as I just put the lining inside the skirt and sewed it and the skirt together when installing the waistband. Hem, lining to zipper tape and inner waistband all sewn down by hand, hook and bar and its done. Two skirts in one afternoon. Although pleased with both, I love the cord version the best as the fabric lets the navy one down a little. Photos are not great as I am still struggling with technology. I lifted these from Pattern Review again. The skirts are shown with the belinda top I made the previous weekend.
I should note the very best part..... not ONE alteration was needed on the original pleated skirt. Not a single one. I sewed that baby straight from the envelope...even the length was correct as drafted.
1 comment:
great skirts!
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