Monday, June 4, 2012

A Skirt with a Real Waist

The chocolate brown skirt that I made wasn't working so well.  The flap wouldn't stay nicely, and the fabric had a few snags.

I took a brown linen tablecloth in my stash and made a new skirt to replace it.  I didn't intend to make the waist so high - at first I kept trying to tug it down, but Rebecca laughed at me.  She told me I don't remember that we used to have waistlines at our real waist.  She's right!  I'm so used to my shirts not staying tucked in, to waistlines hitting me below the belly button, that to have one up here makes me feel funny.


But I'm keeping it.  It's remarkably slenderizing and modest.

I did try to add side-pockets to the yoke seams.  That was a mistake.  The pockets pulled and gaped too much.  I firmed up the yoke with some interfacing, which feels good.  I also, at Rebecca's suggestion, finished the hem with bias tape (maroon when I ran short of brown).

I can't believe I'm wearing and loving Crocs!

Let's hope this skirt turns out to be a workhorse in my wardrobe, unlike the other one.

12 comments:

Polly said...

Those are Crocs?! No way! Are they plastic? They look great.

The skirt is fab. What pattern is that? I prefer a higher waisted skirt and that is very flattering indeed!

Rebecca said...

Go right this very minute and make some more in, oh say, maroon and navy and camel and olive....

jodi said...

Love the skirt...and I can't believe those are crocs! I have been staying away from them for a while, but those are really cute...maybe I'll delve into the world of crocs now.

Unknown said...

Lovely! I like the color and the silhouette is very flattering!

BLD in MT said...

That is a fantastic skirt! I don't really understand why our culture made the shift away from the true waist. It makes one look much slimmer (not to mention your waist size is much smaller in inches and so sounds better, right?!). And shirt stay tucked in, underpants stay in. It is wonderful, really. This was something I learned when I started doing a little sewing and wearing of vintage clothing. I went into our local vintage dress shop and she measured my waist and I thought "Why did we ever change?" That said I still have mostly clothes not worn at the true waist.

kyleann33 said...

That skirt is beautiful! That higher waist is what is very fashionable now too. That shape looks great on you! What pattern did you use? I have some linen in my stash and I've been looking for a new skirt pattern.

Margo said...

Polly, yup, they're the Crocs material, whatever that is. My sis had a pair of these flats and they just looked so cute and comfortable (and practical! they wash off!) that I went for it. I love them. They were also on sale - maybe $28? which is a great price for comfy shoes in my size.

BLD, you are so right - I'm so glad I finally realized this too!

Kylie and Polly, the skirt pattern is Butterick B4686. However, I don't think it's necessarily designed to sit at the traditional waist. Do some measuring to make sure.

I have to take this skirt on and off over my head, I forgot to mention. My hips are wider than my shoulders - did I know this?! My husband thinks this is hilarious when I put this skirt on.

Jacinta said...

This is a great skirt Margo! It will totally work in winter with boots as well. (it's winter here now, I've got boots on my mind all the time now! hehe) xo

Sarah Barry said...

I love the high waist. Very flattering!

Sew Blessed Maw [Judy] said...

Margo, I love this skirt .And the waistband is fantastic.. And I love the brown fabric. Cute shirt with it too..
THose crocs are tooo cute.

sarah e blog said...

any way you could post a pattern or such? i love love love this skirt!

Margo said...

Sarah, thank you! The pattern is Butterick 4686 and the brown linen skirt I made is the also the brown view on the pattern cover. Good luck!