Friday, September 9, 2011

Finished Sew-Along Skirt


I finished my skirt for the BurdaStyle sew-along I'm leading and I thought I would post it here ASAP--all the better to entice you to join the sew-along! There's still plenty of time to join up. You can go read the first and second posts to get started. The next post will cover the grosgrain waistband and invisible zipper, and it will go up early next week.

The pattern is this cute pleated skirt (downloadable from BurdaStyle) and I was pleasantly surprised by the results. I don't think I would have picked this design myself, but I love it! Sometimes it's good to get out of a style comfort zone, don't you think? 


The fabric is Joel Dewberry's Rose Bouquet, which was provided by Free Spirit fabrics. (I also got a big package of goodies from Coats & Clark. Oh, the perks of being a sewing blogger!) It's a home dec sateen that works nicely for a full skirt like this one. It comes in several lovely colorways. I think this one is called Jade.

The skirt is pretty easy to construct, and it's done completely by machine. The waistband is a length of grosgrain ribbon, which was so simple to do and looks really cute.

Have I tempted you to join the sew-along? I hope so!

P.S. I'm guessing some of you will ask me about the shoes I'm wearing in these photos. Don't. They are the shoes from hell and they will only bring you unhappiness and pain. I can barely wear them for 5-minute bursts before wanting to chuck them into a dumpster.

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40 comments:

  1. liza janeSeptember 9, 2011 at 7:02 AM

    I love the fabric so much! The colors are happy.

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  2. Melissa AlexandarSeptember 9, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    Ah the shoes from hell. They are a killer color red though! and your skirt is fantabulous!

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  3. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    I think this skirt may be the perfect Sewing To Cycle In Skirt that I have been looking for. Shame about the shoes - they look fabulous!

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  4. kazoomSeptember 9, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    Love that skirt - home dec fabric really?

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  5. Jane EliseSeptember 9, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    I love the fabric! I actually spent ages trying to narrow down which fabric it was -- I did find it! Shoulda just been patient and known you would spill.

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  6. Keren DuchanSeptember 9, 2011 at 7:22 AM

    beautiful dress, beautiful fabric. I would love to join the sew along but I made a similar skirt a while back (also from burda magazine) and it was very unflattering for my figure :-( I'll read the sew-along though!

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  7. UnknownSeptember 9, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    You know, I had seen that skirt pattern before, and like you, it wasn't doing it for me. But seeing your a-mazing version I am now very tempted to give it a go!!! The fabric is so so gorgeous too, which I'm sure helps!

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  8. CaseySeptember 9, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    Gorgeous!!! That fabric is just the perfect match. So wish I could have joined this sew-along, but I'm in the midst of my own right now, and goodness knows I have enough half-finished projects lying about. lol. But it's been fun reading your posts on BurdaStyle! :)

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  9. StephanieSeptember 9, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    Oooooh. It looks fabulous, and yes, I just may join along! Pity about the shoes, though - is that why you only photographed the bottom half, so as not to document the visible torture you must've endured while wearing them? =)

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  10. Wag DollSeptember 9, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Oh the skirt if gorgeous and looks fab on you. Although I'm slightly scared of pleated/gathered skirts with having a shelf backside, makes me look like I'm wearing a bustle....which could become a new trend?

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  11. PamelaSeptember 9, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    The skirt is gorgeous. I have the Burda magazine issue with that pattern, I did toy with the idea of making that skirt and now that I have seen your version I am definetely making it!

    But most of all I wanted to say WELCOME back! We missed you! It's lovely to read frequent posts again and be inspired by you.

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  12. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    The skirt looks so much better in real life than the pattern drawing would have you believe!
    I have such a list of sewing at the moment, but this may get added to it.
    I love the shoes. They're gorgeous. I'm sorry they hurt. They sound like taxi date shoes - you only have to walk in them from the taxi to the restaurant table and then back to the taxi!

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  13. SunniSeptember 9, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    So cute! I love the fabric and I'm catching my breath because it is a home dec. Looks so fabulous! How easy to wear too. I love the style on you too, which judging from the technical drawing this pattern is not one I would have picked either! And I die for the grosgrain waistband - just saw one in a book too that was similar yet so chic and easy! Love that! Totally darling!

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  14. RoseSeptember 9, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    Love that fabric! I love how you've taken what is admittedly not your usual style, and made it all your own! THIS is why I read your blog!

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  15. marcy harriell | oonaballoonaSeptember 9, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    i'm in LOVE with this skirt. it looks fantastic with those pumps!

    (subtext: gimmiegimmiegimmie.)

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  16. sewistafashionistaSeptember 9, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    The skirt is very cute! Not sewing any bottoms right now a I am due soon and can't estimate my post-pregnancy waistline. I'll check into the tutorial a few months down the road.

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  17. Jessica DeeringSeptember 9, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    I love Joel Dewberry. The skirt is stunning, and I'm TOTALLY tempted to go make it!

    Love your blog!

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  18. ForrestSeptember 9, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    You're hilarious. Also, I love both the skirt and the shoes!

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  19. JessicaSeptember 9, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    Wow! Your skirt looks amazing! I was thinking of joining the sew-along but when I saw the pattern - I wasn't really impressed (the white display photo really doesn't flatter it). Seeing this version I may need to go ahead and join!

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  20. ValerieSeptember 9, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    BANANAS. this is gorgeous - not only the skirt, but the top and pumps you paired with it as well! i'm hooked...i'm joining the sewalong.

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  21. Amy Jessica September 9, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    The fabric is absolutely beautiful! The skirt looks gorgeous too :-)
    much love
    xo
    a4snowflakes.blogspot.com

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  22. Katrina BlanchalleSeptember 9, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    Beautiful! And I'm glad you used a home dec fabric. I've done it in the past and thought it worked great for the shape, but I always second-guess my opinions until someone comes along and confirms them!

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  23. CCoopSeptember 9, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    Love the skirt. I laughed at the taxi date shoe comment because I describe shoes by how long you can wear them comfortably. Oh, these are two hour shoes, etc.

    ccoop from Texas

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  24. Denise CalhounSeptember 9, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    Lovely!

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  25. SofiaSeptember 9, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    Hi! Love that skirt! You're very talented :) I also sew and I'd love your opinnion on some of my work! If you have time, come and say hi :)!

    http://souphie.wordpress.com/

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  26. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    Ack!! Temptress! I want this skirt!!

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  27. lianneSeptember 9, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    Gertie, I see what you mean about flattering! Thank you for showing the finished skirt. I'll look forward to hearing about the stitching down the pleats at the top option.
    Cheers!

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  28. PaulaSeptember 9, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    I just LOVE the style of this skirt! I'd love to join the sew-along, but it will have to wait until I get "unflooded"!!

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  29. angieloSeptember 9, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    You've tempted me - I'm in!!

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  30. UnknownSeptember 10, 2011 at 1:58 AM

    fabulous shoes and skirt combo - I can see myself on the school run wearing these!

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  31. Kerri Winder DesignsSeptember 10, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    Red shoes are my weakness...I would welcome the pain for those beauties...

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  32. ReginaSeptember 10, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    HEY GERTIE!! Hope this gets your attention!! Congrats on your mention in Vogue Patterns Magazine...it was a thrill to see you mentioned as one of the BEST blogs out there for sewing!! Great job girl!...Regina :)

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  33. AnonymousSeptember 11, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    I absolutely love the fabric for this skirt! Very beautiful!

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  34. FreeSpirit FabricSeptember 12, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    Gertie I love your skirt. The Fabric looks great.Thanks for sharing this on your blog.

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  35. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    Looooove the skirt with those shoes! Perfect!

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  36. RonnellSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    You have wonderful patterns that will be great for the fall collection of 2011. The sleeves you added to the white coat adds definition and offers a career look for the rainy season.

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  37. the distracted painterSeptember 15, 2011 at 3:00 AM

    I have now cut out and sewn 2 skirts....am looking forward to the next installments!

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  38. Tia DiaSeptember 16, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    Great skirt and a great pair of shoes!

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  39. yvonneSeptember 18, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    Kind of off subject, but not. I got your husbands book, "The Eleventh Plague"--great story so far!

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  40. خياطة وتفصيلMarch 24, 2012 at 11:07 AM

    Thank you it beautiful

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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