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Monday, 2 June 2014

Finished: The 50s-90s Skirt for #vintagepledge

About a year ago when I was pregnant and had no discernible waistline, I bought a skirt from a charity shop. Reckoning that it was about the same size waist as I used to be, I packed it away in the hope I'd be able to wear it once there was no longer a baby around my middle.
 
Homemade vintage (70s?) skirt snapped up for £1.99, blogged here 

This is the skirt - and I can fit in it now!:

I also like the length, which I suppose is midi length and feels elegant.

As I liked the skirt so much I thought I could make another one using this skirt as a template - pretty easy, just four pieces and a waistband. However I checked my pattern stash in case I had a similar pattern that would save me tracing one off the skirt - lo and behold this beauty fitted the bill:
Butterick 6167 - I think I got it in an ebay pattern lot, but it's definitely been in my stash for a couple of years. Although the envelope illustration is very 80s, it's a great classic shape

When I say fitted the bill, I mean that it was exactly, EXACTLY the same size when set against the skirt. This four-gore style is a pretty classic one I suppose so I was chuffed that not only was I saved the bother of tracing a pattern but that the new skirt would count for the second garment of my #vintagepledge. WIN!

Now for fabric:
This feels like the most appropriate fabric I could use for the Vintage Pledge, as it was purchased from Marie of A Stitching Odyssey - the originator of the Pledge. Last year Marie was selling some of her stash and I was taken by this fabric. It's a lovely soft cotton sateen and I love the bright green although when it arrived I did wonder what on earth I was going to make with it and wasn't sure that I liked it as much as I originally thought. Actually the pattern looked a bit 1990s to me, with the faded and darker areas of green and the tribal-ish pattern. Oh dear. The 90s are not my favourite decade.

When I looked at the fabric with fresh eyes some months later, I had come back around again, and the pattern was reminding me more of 1950s designs and ink drawings plus I did love the vibrant green. Phew! As such an eye catching design, I felt that it would be best as skirt so it could be paired with a plain top. This suits my style pretty well and I wanted it to be a garment I'd get lots of use out of.

The pattern was easy to put together - all I did was to add a smidge of length to the waistband and used a slightly smaller seam allowance on the side seams, since the waist size leaves no room for eating and I like to be able to eat. Interestingly, the pattern is cut to a size 16 which is a 29 1/2" waist - isn't that crazily small for a 16??!! I know that vintage patterns are always smaller but this one is only about the 80s.
I also added pockets, of course, using a pattern piece from another pattern. For where else do I put my used tissue collection?
(Don't be alarmed, that's a tube of stupid cables behind me, not a massive snake)

I gave the skirt its maiden outing to my friend's wedding reception ceilidh and it performed admirably. I have also worn it more casually to the beach, so hooray that it's very versatile and I think it'll get loads more wear in the Spring/Summer and even into Autumn.

K x

36 comments:

  1. Definitely need those pockets ~ just love your skirt ... J

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    1. Thank you, and yep, pockets are such an essential

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  2. lovely! i really like the print!

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  3. Ooh love both of those! It's always a nice feeling to find a long enough skirt/dress in the charity shops :)

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    1. Totally! Most of the high street ones are way too short for me

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  4. I really like the fabric and the pattern - wonderful vintage make :) I have to get some of my other patterns out, as lately I seem to be using the same couple over and over again.

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    1. Thanks Char. Making a favourite pattern definitely has its advantages though as you can usually make it so much quicker

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  5. This looks great! And how nice that you didn't have to bother with tracing- I'm always *going* to do that, but never actually do!

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    1. I know, it's not a big deal but the thought is always a bit off putting and great if you can get away without it

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  6. What a classic skirt pattern! I bet you could find something similar from just about any decade. The thrifted skirt is also pretty cute.

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    1. I think you're right, it's a great classic shape

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  7. I think you've paired up the perfect pattern for the fabric- it hangs beautifully and I do really love the vibrant green. Lovely!!

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    1. Thanks Winnie, I am very chuffed with the fabric and pattern pairing

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  8. I love the colour and it looks great as a skirt. Perfect!

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  9. Love that colour! Looks great :)

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    1. Thank you, it's such a vibrant colour, you'll definitely be able to spot me :)

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  10. Gorgeous! I love the fabric, right up my street; and also yey to the pockets!

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    1. Thank you Lynne! I do love to add pockets and usually regret it if I don't add them as I'm in a rush to make something

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  11. Love the fabirc, it looks perfect, no wonder you got compliments at the wedding!

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    1. Thanks Alison, it's a very versatile skirt

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  12. Both are fabulous! Great for spring and summer.

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    1. Thank you Mela, I'm hoping they'll see a lot of wear

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  13. I too love this vintage style. That shape seems to have been going since 1940 and still looks great now! I agree about the length, too - I recently made a longer skirt and it does feel different to wearing a shorter one. Btw, love the humour in your post. You had me giggling several times!

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    1. Thanks Philippa! Glad you enjoyed the post :)

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  14. Gorgeous skirt. I love the shape and the midi length looks great on you. Lovely fabric too.

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  15. Perfect ceilidh dancing skirt!

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  16. A classic gored or half circle skirt is a wardrobe essential! I have several Hollyburns which have a similar shape, they go with everything!

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    1. Ooh it is a bit like the Hollyburn, I'll have to try with a knee length version too

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  17. It's super cute and really suits you, I think.

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  18. You do look very elegant if I say so myself

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Thanks for reading and commenting - I love to hear what you have to say