Friday, March 11, 2011

Skirt #2 Finished!

Whew!! That is it.  My brown linen blend Simplicity 2451 skirt is finished.  I am "pleased as punch" with the results, and thankful to be moving on to my next project.  For a moment there I thought I was going to be on this skirt  F-O-R-E-V-E-R.  Not so, my day of sweet success is at hand.

But before I get into showing off my second beauty, let me give you some details about the construction.  Here is a refresher of what Simplicity 2451 looks like:

I made View C in a size 14.  I started with a size 16, but with the added stretch factor of the linen blend I was using, I ended up going down to a 14.  It seems as though I am a 16 in wovens and a 14 in knits for skirts (I have yet to attempt pants but I imagine they would be related in sizing).

This pattern is marked "easy-to-sew," and it is; however, as I have learned in the past, easy does not mean quick.  The techniques from this skirt are all basic (zipper insertion, pleats, darts, facing, hem, skirt vent, slipstitching) but the thing that threw me off was adding a lining.  What can I say?  I wanted a pretty skirt that was custom made.  Besides, the fabric I used was medium wt., but you could still see through it.

So for the lining I had to pull out my reference materials.  I mostly wanted to know when to add the lining when you are sewing a fitted waistband.  I finally found my answer on sewing.org, and it was smooth sailing from there until I came to the zipper insertion.  I decided to attempt an invisible zipper insertion for the first time, and used a wonderful tutorial mentioned by Rachel found here.  However, silly me, I should have read through the instructions on my skirt first, because they were for a lapped zipper (this is where one side laps over the other when the zipper is closed).  So I figured this out after I had put in my invisible zipper and it looked wrong because I had all this extra fabric gathered around the zipper.
Skirt Front

When I corrected this error, I was pleased to see the way the fabric lay in a much better way.  In fact, I like the "rear view" now LOL!

Skirt Back

As a side note, there is a lot of slipstitching to be done.  Since the yoke waistband has a facing, it is slipstitched to the interior.  The hem was also slipstitched so if you don't care for much hand-sewing this might be a task.  I wasn't too bothered by it.  I like hand-sewing because I can sit quietly with the radio or TV on while the kids nap and just do it.  It is very calming for me, and I feel like my finished garment is more "couture".
Skirt inside with lining (front)

The skirt vent was also a departure for me, since the last skirt I made did not have one, but once again, Jenna recommended a great tutorial here that helped the process along.

Skirt inside with lining (back)

So, all things considered, I ended up with a great skirt!  The fit is great, it is very comfy, and I really like the linen blend (except for the wrinkle factor).  But then again, I'll have to see how the skirt stands up to actually wearing it for a day before I make my final decision.





Would I make it again?  Yes I would!  I can see this skirt in a dressier fabric for sure!  Also, I was tentative about the pleats on the skirt, but they are actually much nicer than I anticipated.


So, yes, this skirt is one I will definitely be wearing as it gets warmer (which judging by the weather here in GA will be soon).



My next project will be Simplicity's 2868 pencil skirt (if some of you recall from my Sensational Skirt plan).


I am hoping that this skirt is kinder to me since I worked so hard with 2451.  We'll see!

Stay sew-filled!

7 comments:

  1. Way to go Vanessa! You have put together a very nice skirt and learned new skills to boot! It will keep getting easier and easier. Woo Hoo! Looks like spring in your neck of the woods too.

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  2. Your skirt plan is progressing wonderfully well - I love your latest creation - it looks sensational and very professionally made!

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  3. Very pretty Vanessa! I have yet to do an invisble zipper...How, did change the lapped zipper insertion to the invisible with eliminating the extra fabric in the back..

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  4. Thank you everyone!

    Candice, I inserted an invisible zipper not realizing a lapped zipper was called for in the instructions. To fix this, I unzipped the zipper, measured out 5/8 inch from the raw edge on the right side of the left zipper, folded and pinned it so that the wrong side of the zipper tape touched the wrong side of the skirt, basted the wrong side of the zipper tape, then topstitched on the right side by following the basting stiches. I then ironed what I did.

    I hope that answers your question. You can refer to the directions for any problems. Essentially, the only thing I added to make my zipper lap over was the folded 5/8 seam allowance. The rest of the instructions above were per the pattern.

    I hope that helps!!

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  5. Vanessa, you did a great job !!! Your skirt looks like RTW!! I love that you added a lining & did an invisible zip. :)

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  6. I have this pattern too, and you've inspired me to get on and make the skirt. It looks really nice on you and very professional!

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  7. It looks great! I was a little unsure about the pleats myself, so I'm glad to see that they look so flattering on you.

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Let me know what you think!