I want to say I just whipped up the Ginger by Colette Patterns like *snap* and here it was. However, I traced and altered the pattern in November of last year. I also made most of the muslin sometime then as well, but am pretty sure I didn’t do the final pattern fittings until December. Then in January* I finally prepped the fabric and ordered some lining material as well.
The skirt came out ok.
The fabric is gorgeous to me. Probably because I have always wanted to dress like an old gentleman. I kid you not. In high school my mother helped me alter thrifted men’s business wool jackets with deep pleats to show off my waist, and I wore them with simple velvet elastic waist “skirts” I made from awkward rectangles. I wore turtle necks in dark colors, wool jackets, and brown ankle boots that laced up. This luscious greenish-gold herringbone just calls to me. The pictures don’t do it justice.
So this project was on two lists as a WIP and as a New Project. It serves double duty and it served me well! My first time making an underlining (a layer that is attached to the main fabric that acts as one piece.) I was not pleased with the results along the hem, but that is user error. I rushed the hemlines, using hem tape, and the results are crappy.
Don’t look. It’s not done well at all. I am too tired to undo and fix it, but one day I might just shorten the entire skirt a few inches to hide my sloppy work. Also, the skirt swings out like I have to fins from a ’58 Eldorado Cadillac. Not good, people, not good. I will be tapering those in if I make this pattern again.
I have more fabric in a wool/rayon to make another one, but I will hold off on this pattern. The high waist makes me feel like my body isn’t attractive. Or something. That is to say, I am uncomfortable in this skirt. However, I have learned more about what I do like. I will be making skirts with a lower waist line and more flattering flutters, on the bias of course, in hopes that will suit me better. (The skirt pattern version three is on the bias, so maybe?)
The trails and tribulations of sewing for oneself, and fitting oneself, is such an adventure.
What are you up to sewing lately?
Love,
MaLora
PS: Here is the most “straight on” photo. I still feel like the skirt is too big for me. Except the waist band. Maybe I should work on the fit and just pinch and tuck until I get a more streamlined fit?
*It also took me three weeks to blog about it. Guess I am not a big fan of the Ginger after all?
I like to make and do. After my day is over and the bike riding is done, the making begins. Join me in my adventures!
This skirt looks fine to me. I’m not seeing the problems you’re seeing, but we’re always our own worst critics. The fabric IS gorgeous, and I love the entire outfit you put together. Very classic.
Thank you so much! The “green/gold” and rich purple have become my favorite lately.
It looks good in the photos! It’s probably the feel of the movement you are disliking – something that doesn’t translate in pictures. What type of fabric did you use for your underlining (aka flat-lining in my world)? Perhaps it is giving your lovely suiting fabric too much body, which is causing the issues you dislike about the fit.
Another trick for a pretty hem when you have that underlining, handstitch your hem to the lining ONLY – makes it completely invisible. =)
Thanks for reading! Yes I should have done that hemline trick, I even knew about it, I was just exhausted from rehashing the invisible zip three times. Any hints on invisible zips? I even ironed it flat to see if that would help.
I used a poly blend “lining” fabric that is very slippery. I don’t think that is what I dislike about it. Mostly the fit. Like the puffy extra fabric around my waist. I will work on it for sure.
Invisible zippers can be tricky if you don’t have an invisible zipper foot. They can be done without – I should know, cuz I did them the hard way for years until one time my mother-in-law sent me a bunch of her random sewing supplies (she likes to clean out her drawers by sending stuff to me) and one of these was included. Makes it SO much easier. (Ignore the bad reviews – they actually work!) I’ve also seen them at Walmart.
I have one. However, I have one of those relatives too! I totally know what you mean about getting random stuff. =)
Your skirt came out great! I think it looks very flattering on you. I know what you mean, though, sometimes we are so used to wearing our clothes a certain way, that it’s difficult to see that an alternative way can look good. What about if you put it in an air dryer to try to “soften” the fabric up so that it flows more easily and maybe will fall lower on your waist?
The pattern is supposed to sit high, at the natural waist. I will try again sometime, with a stiffer fabric, so it swings out a bit and “fills in the sag” instead of having sag lines. Thank you for reading!
Looks perfect for the recent weather we’ve had in WA! (I live in Olympia) I agree with Brooke – next time take the time to do the hand-stitched hem so it’s invisible and I think you’ll have less of an issue of the flare, too. My trick for invisible zippers is to hand-baste them in so they don’t shift. A lot of times I find that thicker fabrics will shift when sewing the invisible zipper by machine, even with the invisible zipper foot. The hand basting makes the zipper stay in one place, plus you can sort of try the garment on and make any changes before you install the zipper, which is good if you’re doing one in a dress and need to make a change where the bodice and skirt match. Just a thought.
Thank you Jen! Nice to meet a Washington person who sews! I know two, one in Tacoma and one in Seattle. Seems like I need to find more local friends. =) Thanks for the advice. After reviewing flickr and everyone else’s Gingers, I have learned a lot. I will take your advice on my next lining, for sure.
Hey MaLora!
I think I agree with most other people – the construction seems fine to me, but it’s clear that you don’t like the fit. I wonder if it would be more to your liking if the over-all length were shorter. It seems like it just mutes all your curves, instead of complementing them.
Despite your dissatisfaction with this one, it definitely shows how much work you’ve put into seamstress skills! (Sewistry? Tailoring? What’s the right word?)
<3
I like how you put that… “muting my curves.” I think that is exactly right.