Vogue 7632 - The Skirt

Classic separates are seriously going to be my friend as I update my wardrobe. However, unlike my previous attempts at sewing my own wardrobe, I want statement separates...pieces that have a little sumthin' sumthin'...that have more details on them or where the fabric speaks loudly. Because unlike past sews, my basics still work due to elastic waistlines...this frees me to experiment and change things up a little.

In the picture below I'm wearing the skirt with a bodysuit that I bought back in the late '80s/early '90s.

Some stats ~
Fabric:
Polyester brocade purchased from Fabric Mart last fall

Notions:
9" invisible black zipper
red rayon seam binding
1/2" black button
waistband interfacing from Nancy's Notions
red bemberg lining

Construction ~
This is not a difficult skirt to sew. The pattern instructions were very easy to follow which I needed, to make sure I put the pleat inserts in correctly. I love how they release at the bottom of the skirt, giving it movement yet it has a close fitting silhouette.

Before sewing the pleat inserts onto the skirt front, I basted the skirt front and back together to check the fit on me and I have to say that I was impressed with the fit...too bad there was no one around to take a picture! *LOL*

So a few things:
- the fabric raveled like crazy
- the pattern doesn't call for a lining but I added a short one...ending above the pleats. I probably should have underlined the fabric with a silk organza to help with wrinkling...since it wrinkles easily.

- the lining hem is turned under 1/2" and machine stitched then basted to the wrong side of the skirt front. The center back seam is handstitched to the zipper tape.

- the rayon seam binding was folded in half and pressed. Then I machine stitched it to the skirt hem. The final hem was hand stitched down. However, pressing the hem in place proved challenging. I think I should have paid closer attention to the pattern instructions ~ even though eventually I got it to work!

- the waistband has a button closure. I added red thread to the button as a cute touch. I wanted to show a close up of the waistband to share that I made two buttonholes but only had enough space for one button. See even I make mistakes.

Here is how I styled this skirt for a more casual look...

If you want to make your own version of the skirt since my pattern is OOP. You can try one of these:

McCalls 7022

McCalls 6993

Vogue 7937
Also, my pattern is available on Etsy and Ebay if you want the actual skirt - don'tcha just love the internet!

One last shot...I know that this is a picture heavy post but its been snowing since before I woke up this morning. The newscasters are predicting about 8-10" of snow today so my daughter and I took a couple of pictures on the patio. Here's one...

Yeah that's snow swirling around me and what I'm standing in!