March 02, 2006 | Sew Hopeless
A few weekends ago, the weather was fabulous. This reminded me that I need skirts for the impending spring and summer seasons. And rather than searching endlessly in store after store and never finding something that I like or fits right (can you tell I've done this before?), I decided I would SEW. I have a sewing machine, no problem. All I needed was some fabric and a pattern.
That's when I found the Susan Stars a-line skirt kit! Woo! Fabric and instructions all in one! So it arrived, and I read the instructions. I ended up using a combination of measuring myself and using a skirt I already have (that fits well) as a guide. I cut out my pattern, cut out the fabric, and went to work. Sew, sew, sew.
This pattern is pretty simple. Sew the 2 side seams, a rolled seam at the top for the elastic, hem the bottom, and you have a skirt in about an hour! About 45 minutes into this process, as I'm threading the elastic through the waistband, it occurs to me that I should try this thing on. It BARELY fit over my bum! I literally squeezed myself into it! Where did I screw up? This thing should fit perfectly! And then I remembered that the skirt I used to help me come up with the pattern dimensions has A ZIPPER. Which is why I can get it on over my gargantuan hips. Doh. I finished it anyways (I can actually get it on over my head fairly easily), and decided I would buy more fabric and adjust the pattern.
I attempted skirt #2 last weekend. I adjusted the pattern, cut everything out, and went to work. Tried it on again, and gah! More squeezing of the bum into the skirt! At this point, I kind of gave up. I realized that the problem is not my haphazard sewing skills, but the fact that my hip to waist ratio is a bit askew, and it's making an elastic waistband skirt kind of a pain. Sure I could make the waist and hip measurement the same, but then I'd have all this elastic around my wait, and I have a feeling it would ruin the whole a-line effect.
So, I'm over my disappointment for the most part. Now, I've got to find an a-line skirt pattern with a zipper, and actually try and sew that zipper into it correctly. I've never dealt with zippers in the sewing realm before. Wish me luck.
I'm predicting two possible outcomes. #1. The a-line skirt with a zipper is a stunning success! I will never have to skirt shop again! Or #2. I will chuck it all and end up spending the summer complaining how I can't find any skirts that I like. (I've got my money on #2.)
Stay tuned!
Yes! I will try and take pictures (I get so caught up in the craftiness that I forget sometimes) and report on the skirt/zipper adventure!
zippers are pretty easy... don't be afraid! :) post some pictures, yes? whee! i love to sew. i don't get the chance to do it often enough.
hi, and thanks for trying out the skirt pattern :)
I'm sorry it was such a hassle to deal with the waist/hip ratio when you tried the elastic waist vs. zipper. I recently wrote up a little "Sewing Tips" document with some extra suggestions for happy skirt-making. I just looked at your order date, which was before when I printed them, so if I didn't include one in your kit I'd be happy to send you one now--plus another yard of fabric and some elastic if you'd like to try making your skirt a third time (maybe it will be the charm?). I really want my customers to be happy with their skirts!
If you want to try adding a zipper to skirt #1 or #2, it might work well if you leave the elastic pinned in place in the waistband, and open one side seam to put your zipper in. The elastic can really shape and define the waistline (like darts do) so it's not floppy or standing away from your waist. Then the zipper could make it easier to put on.
Or you can add panels of fabric to the sides to make the skirt fuller and easier to wear... I can e-mail you more detailed directions on this if you'd like, too.
:)
Susan
ps I love your blog and did not put two and two together when I saw your order... very cool!
Hey, I know Susan. I'll direct her to this entry. Maybe she can suggest something.
Your photos and your projects are inspirational. Keep them coming!
Thank you, d.
And thanks everyone else for the sewing advice!
Allyson, I've got a zipper foot for my machine, and a friend told me that will make a lot of difference. But I think some online tutorials are definitely a good idea. I may try adding a zipper to the second failed skirt before I attempt something with the real patterns I ordered.
i just had to tell you your photos are fantastic. focus, color, composition, all wonderful. i went to your flickr and looked though pages and pages they were so good.
i haven't done that in the longest time.
Ah zippers... I used to be terrified of them until my mom (an INCREDIBLE sewer... use to make me clothes when I was a kid) showed me how. I bet the Internets have some good tutorials.
Wondering if you could open up one of your sideseams and put the zipper in there? I did that once a skirt I made and it worked great. Might help save what you've done so far. Good luck!
i haven't sewn in years. i don't even own a machine anymore. despite your troubles, reading this entry makes me want to go out and buy a machine and some fabric. but i must resist. i know the machine would just sit there, unused. like the previous one. oh well.
i wish you luck with the next skirt endevour!
Funny, I'm planning to tackle my second skirt ever this weekend - and it's the Susan Stars A-line skirt kit! And I have high hopes, because my waist is a mere 4" smaller than my hips - yes, I'm a freak of nature and nothing in the stores ever fits right.
As far as easy A-line skirts with zippers, I just ordered a bunch from the simplicity.com website. Mariko over at Super Eggpplant - my skirt hero, by the way! - recommends their New Look patterns.