Woollen skirts and knee high boots have long been essential items in my winter wardrobe, however I've not tried to sew one until now. I can attest to the winter warmth of wool and leather (and the yet to be blogged leggings underneath) as I braved a windy Ballarat* day to celebrate my grandma's 90th Birthday celebrations.
My green wool skirt is from Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing and is her pencil skirt with a drafted back flounce variation, and a drafted waistband.
I hadn't sewn with any of Gertie's patterns before, and I over did it a little with my safe seam margins ;)
Gerties Sizing: 6:waist 28", hips 40". 8:waist 30" hips 42". 10:waist 32", hips 44". 12:waist 34", hips 46".
For my 40" hips and 32" waist, of course I cut a size 12 ;)
I have side seams of 1 1/2" (each), having narrowed the skirt considerably in stages.
The vintage metal zip is machine sewn to the seam allowance, then hand picked to the main wool fabric. The hem is also hand picked after having bias tape sewn to the hem and turned under.
I've never been the neatest handsewist, though trying to keep my stitches loose did help immensely with minimising their appearance on the right side. The hem is much more subtle than the zip.
Pressing the skirt brought back many memories of classrooms filled with wet woollen jumpers and standing close to heaters to dry.
The skirt is lined in a green lining material, attached at the waistband. Both fabrics are from Rathdowne Remnants and the green wool was a delight to sew and press.
*For those unfamiliar with the oddities of Australian weather, Ballarat is commonly accused of being the coldest non-alpine city in the state - a claim encouraged by those who guard their gold rush history closely.
Very nice, I like your version of this skirt.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful skirt I love the flounce it really makes it special. Would you recommend the book?
ReplyDeleteThank you ;) and thanks for dropping by ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you ;) I like Gertie's book - it's got a lot of information in it about vintage sewing and is easy to read. I enjoy it as a wonderful introduction to sewing as she covers a very wide range of sewing topics, from tracing and adapting patterns, inserting zips, buttonholes, hems & hand sewing right through to the 10 patterns and their variations. I can't comment on sewing the rest of the patterns & their instructions, but they are lovely to read about ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know. I think I shall add it to my Christmas wish list! Hems are what I struggle with. I'm not sure if I don't cut accurately or I'm just rubbish at the folding bit! Any reading matter on how to improve is great. Thanks again and enjoy wearing your new skirt.
ReplyDelete