Wrapped and Tied

 The Skirt is done.

Blue eyelet cotton skirt, originally made from Simplicity 4186, original version here.  As I took this apart I realized that although I have made this skirt several times, I only actually like the version made from a beefier cotton, which emphasizes the volume of the skirt more. 

The skirt is still pleated and still full, but the shape is different, more of a tulip shape and I am very happy with this version of the skirt.   I worried somewhat about the fullness at the hip, but in the end I like it, and the fact that the contrast tie waist emphasizes the waist, making my middle aged waist appear a bit smaller than it actually is.  Or perhaps the skirt just makes my hips look bigger; if so, I can live with that too, because I feel fabulously pretty in this skirt, and in the end, I think it is how our clothes make us feel that plays the biggest role in how we actually look in them.

 The details:

Pattern:  Burda Style Magazine, April 2010, style #111, tulip skirt with box pleats and a large tie waistband-sash.

Materials:  Blue cotton eyelet recycled from a previous skirt and olive cotton batiste purchased many years ago from www.fabric.com.

 Details: 

This pattern is a "tall" pattern from Burda.  I use the word tall with parenthesis because supposedly this pattern is designed for someone who is 5'9".  I am 5'9" and I added 4 inches to the length of this skirt.  As it was, I shortened the original skirt by 4 inches from the waist to cut the new skirt, and I could not have made the new skirt longer because the top of the old skirt was in rather fragile condition after several alterations.

Because the pattern is cut with a curve at the hem, to accommodate the shaping provided by the pleats, and I wanted the hem to be my eyelet border, I straightened the hem and transfered the shaping to the waistline.

I also underlined the eyelet with the olive batiste before proceeding with the skirt.  Since the pleats were made through the two layers of fabric, my skirt probably has more body than was intended in the pattern, but I rather like the volume of the finished skirt.

I used the waistband from my original skirt rather than the contoured waistband provided by the pattern.  The pattern waistband might have been better, but I had fabric issues.

I also made the tie sash wider than called for.  The original pattern called for a piece of fabric , 8" by 84" (I decided to make a long sash as I am no longer slender-waisted), which was to be folded in half, seamed, and attached to the back waist of the skirt.   Two layers of 8" wide batiste was too much to make a bow as shown in the photos unless I made the sash much longer.  But I like the modified bow effect shown in the picture much better as I'm not convinced that big floofy bows are appropriate on middle aged women.  The sash is also long enough to wrap around my waist twice, creating a cummerbund effect, when I want to be a little more serious.

Comments

[Mardel]

Thank you Mary Beth, Diane, Metscan, Nancy, Lois, Carolyn,
Myrna, Mary Pat, Cidell, and Mater for the compliments.  I admit I was a little nervous about
whether the image in my head would be squashed by the reality when I put it on,
but its only fabric right?  I’m
very happy for the success.

Gigi, I think anything that makes the waist look teeny is a
good thing.  I’m hoping it works
out for you and am looking forward to seeing yours.

K-Line, I see it that way too come cooler weather, which may
in fact be here, this week anyway. 
Last week even the thought of black long sleeves was oppressive.

Sherry, I had doubts about the fullness at the top of this,
but I do think the wide sash is a plus, and emphasizes curves in a rather nice
way.

 

Vicki, I do seem to be on an olive kick, don’t I. It wasn’t
planned.

 

Oh my Allison! 
That sounds terrible, and I’d be reluctant too if I had been faced with
that apparition in the mirror.

 

Karen, It does look very poofy doesn’t it?   If I look at the skirt when I put
it on, without the sash, I don’t like it at all, as it seems to accent my hips
at the expense of the waist.  
The tie helps considerably, at least on me.

[karen]

How fun to see someone else making this skirt. I made the view with the unattached sash and I have to say that it poofs out quite a bit. I may go back and stitch down the box pleats or take in the skirt a bit.

Your version, however, looks wonderful on you! Thanks for sharing!

[materfamilias]

You look fabulous in that great skirt!

[cidell]

Oh, Mardel! I've wondered forever about this skirt and how it would look on a real person. LOVE it.

[allisonc]

I love this skirt and in fact made up a muslin of it yesterday. Unfortunately for me I looked like I was wearing a beach ball round my waist! Yours looks great, maybe I just need to try it with drapier fabric but I'm a bit scared to see myself like that again!

[Vicki]

I'm loving that olive green bow! And the olive green boots in the earlier post. Great colour!

[MaryPat]

The outfit looks great. Your midriff looks really small, and no, your hips don't look large!

[Myrna]

You look so fabulous in that skirt it has me thinking of actually trying something tucked in with waist details. Thanks for the inspiration.

[metscan]

Sorry that I am late in commenting, but I just have to say, that the tulip shape is really attractive on you! I think that it is my favorite shape in skirts and dresses too. With or without "natural" curves, the tulip shape is very feminine!

[Carolyn]

This is just beautiful on you! And you do look sooooo thin in it!

[~Sherry~]

Looks lovely!
I've had my eye on this pattern too, and was thinking of making it in a chintzy cotton. I am now sold by the fact you mentioned it minimises your waist - that's exactly what I need!!

[Lois]

Really nice looking.

[NancyDaQ]

I like this a lot, and it's very flattering on you.

[Gigi]

Oh, I love that skirt on you! It does make your waist look teeny (which means I need one for myself). :-) Luckily, I have this issue and the perfect fabric in my stash. Thanks for the inspiration, I never would have tried that style on my own.

[Diane]

Just beautiful!

[K-Line]

It's gorgeous! I love the tulip shape. I see it with a scoop neck, black, long sleeve body suit. Kind of a ballet style.

[Mary Beth]

Looks great on you!