Michelle, ma belle... tres bien ensemble
  • Home
  • Knitting Patterns
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Project Archive
Michelle ma belle, sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble,

Tres bien ensemble

With a little help from my friends.

3/23/2014

24 Comments

 
Picture

It occurred to me, if I waited to sew until my new space is completely unpacked and perfect, I may never sew again. So, I cleared off my desk and found my power cord. I chose to wade back into the water with a simple and satisfying project. A skirt fit the bill.  

Some things I've learned about my wardrobe during this, the coldest, longest winter EVER: First, I am lucky I'm a knitter who has loads of wool socks and sweaters. It is amazing to experience the warmth of wool. Second, I have ZERO, zip, nada wool pants or skirts. It makes my  closet incredibly lopsided. And, it's really difficult to stay warm and wear cute separates without winter appropriate bottoms. I need to work to fix that. 

Fortunately, I have several pieces of bottom-weight wool stashed. Before setting my sights exclusively on spring, I thought it might be nice to whip-up a wool skirt. This particular piece of wool has been in my stash for a little over a year. I loved the colors and pattern when I bought it. It also feels deliciously soft, merino, maybe. And, bonus, I think it will look amazing with my
Channel cardigan!

I took my time with pattern placement and felt really good about the whole thing until after I finished sewing my darts. By then, I could visualize the finished garment and I was suddenly at a loss trying to figure out what exactly I had loved so much when I purchased this fabric. It looked a little, no, a lot, matronly.  It was definitely not what I had in mind. 

In my quest to work on something "basic", I had eliminated all elements of detail and style from this project.  Before getting overly discouraged, I set down my scissors and walked away. I took the night to think about it. I came to the conclusion that the skirt was salvageable. It just needed a little bit of
PIZZAZZ!  



Picture

I really love leather and wool together, and I used that concept as a starting point. I bought some faux leather trim and fussed around with the placement before settling on a double chevron-like hip detail, an exaggeration of the chevron/herringbone design in the fabric. Once I had the trim pinned where I wanted it, I applied it to my skirt pieces with a short zig-zag stitch. I attached the trim prior to assembly. It was surprisingly easy.

Picture
Then, I was stuck again. I liked it, but the skirt still needed something. Rather than wait to be inspired, I turned to my sewing friends for input. Sewing friends are THE BEST! They don't bat an eyelash when you send them awkward photos of you in a half finished project. It was Liz's genius to add a bit of trim to the waistband. So simple. So brilliant. It completely transformed and completed the skirt.
Picture

Things should have wrapped fairly easily from that point, but I found myself incapable of making any decisions regarding skirt length. I kinda liked it long. But, I'm fairly short (5ft2in). Did it look too long? Also, very importantly, would I be able to wear both boots and heels without looking legless?

Picture
This was far too important a decision to make on my own. I took to twitter, consulted my grandma, and texted my most fashion forward friend before whacking off a few inches. Everyone had roughly the same advice and suggested either an inch below or an inch above the knee. Definitely not at the knee. Probably above the knee for boots.

Picture
I'm not sure whether my indecision stemmed from being out of practice or not. I do know I wouldn't be as happy as I am with this skirt if it weren't for the help of my friends! 

Picture

Mother Nature was kind enough to provide us with a snowy backdrop for our early morning photo shoot. Entertainingly, today is the first day of spring. And, as you can tell from our dead (dying?) tree, we're still waiting on signs of life. Turns out, making a cold weather skirt on the eve of the season change wasn't such a bad idea. If the weatherman is right, I'll likely have another opportunity, or two to wear this before next fall. 

Picture
I did struggle getting my trimmed chevrons and the print to line-up perfectly. I got a little off in a few spots. But, it's not glaring. I avoided having to match any print at the waistband by changing fabric direction, which I really like and will do again in the future. 
Picture
I hemmed and sewed down the waistband by hand, but I did everything else, including my lining hem, on the machine. I pinked my seam allowances, but I'm a little concerned it won't be enough to prevent the wool from unravelling. It's very loosely woven, and it doesn't need a lot of encouragement to come undone. 
Picture
I moved the location of the zip to the back center seam. The pattern has the zipper located at the side seam. Putting the zipper there wouldn't have worked with my embellishments. Also, I think a side zip can look a bit bulky. I don't need any help adding heft to my bottom half, so I likely would move the zip to the rear on future projects. 
Picture
It feels good to be back to sewing. I had forgotten how satisfying and fast sewing is compared to knitting. I'm dreaming of spring and summer projects already! 
Picture
24 Comments
Meg the Grand
3/20/2014 02:36:33 am

IT'S SO FABULOUS! I love the colors paired with the trim, and your trim placement is perfect. Love it paired with the blouse and boots here - it works so well with your backdrop ;) Welcome back to the sewing pool! Glad to see you've jumped back in!

Reply
Michelle link
3/20/2014 03:35:28 am

I'm BAAACK! Much thanks for the encouragement during my dry spell. Someday, I hope to have as many gorgeous me-made garments as you!!!!

Reply
Gail link
3/20/2014 02:55:08 am

This skirt is all kinds of awesome, Michelle! The addition of the leather accents is inspired. It looks like it's straight out of an Anthropologie catalogue!

Reply
Michelle link
3/20/2014 03:39:05 am

You flatter! You're too kind. But, thank you. I'm planning to follow your lead and make several skirts from the same pattern, tweaking the fit as I go. I love that you were able to create so many wearable outfits with very distinct looks using the same pattern!

Reply
Zilredloh link
3/20/2014 03:01:14 am

The skirt turned out amazing, Michelle! The hem length looks just perfect. Yay for a snowy spring for you to wear it some more. :)

Reply
Michelle link
3/20/2014 03:41:00 am

Liz, it wouldn't have been a success without you! I'm glad that I get to wear it immediately, but I wouldn't mind having to closet it until next winter. Where the heck is spring? Hopefully the snow isn't messing with your move!

Reply
Elle link
3/20/2014 04:49:49 am

I love this dress, especially the detailing, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE that wool! Please tell me you picked it up locally, and if so, where?! I'm new to Chicago and still trying to find the best places to fabric shop. This is just beautiful!

Reply
Michelle link
3/20/2014 05:06:07 am

Elle, I did get it locally! I'll send you an email with more info. Also, we're having a Chicago Sewing Meetup the first weekend in April. You should totally come!

Reply
Jennifer link
3/20/2014 05:50:44 am

Oh my word, this is totally adorable! I'd buy it in a heartbeat if I saw it in a store. You inspire me to whip out my sewing machine!

Reply
Michelle link
3/20/2014 05:55:59 am

Oh, I hope you do! It was easier to make than I expected! You can definitely make one. :-D

Reply
Angela link
3/20/2014 06:21:16 am

Ahhhh it's perfect! And not a matron in sight ;-) the leather strips are just inspired, and I love the length on you. What a beautiful skirt you have and your lining is so neat. I enjoyed reading the process :-)

Reply
Michelle link
3/21/2014 01:36:57 am

:-D Mission accomplished! I'm already planning out more ideas for ways I might be able to use trims in future projects. I'm pleased with this one.

Reply
Ginger link
3/20/2014 11:49:11 pm

This looks amazing! The trim looks FANTASTIC! And the length is perfect!

Reply
Michelle link
3/21/2014 01:38:38 am

Thanks, Lady! I probably spent too much time overthinking the length. I really appreciate your input on the subject! It helps to have input from people more fashionable than I am!!

Reply
Loran link
3/21/2014 01:30:47 am

SO very cute : ) And I can't wait to see it with the cardigan! Out here in sunny California it's getting harder to keep knitting the wooly projects, between the cats that know it's Spring and the actual weather warming up, I'm thinking more cotton than wool...

Reply
Michelle link
3/21/2014 01:41:07 am

Thanks, Loran. Having the skirt finished is good motivation to get back to working on that cardigan! It is hard to want to knit wool during the season change, even for me, and I knit all summer! I've got a warm weather fiber project in my bag today. It's delightful. It's a milk protein yarn. Never used anything like it before.

Reply
steph link
3/21/2014 09:23:26 am

very very cute! do you think your sewing machine could teach mine just a few tricks????

Reply
Carla link
3/21/2014 01:42:46 pm

Omg, it looks so amazing! I love the color combo! I feel ya on being on the short side and sewing. On a dress I recently made I had to shorten the pattern by 6 inches, and take my hem up a half inch. Oh being 5ft2, and a seamstress xD

Reply
tanyamaile link
3/21/2014 11:15:12 pm

I love your skirt! What a great idea to add the leather and the length is perfect!

Reply
Sally link
3/22/2014 07:53:50 am

This is awesome! I really love the leather detailing! :)

Reply
Ashley link
3/22/2014 08:31:32 am

I absolutely love this! The chevron trim/waistband trim really make the skirt!

Reply
ooobop! link
3/22/2014 06:51:01 pm

I love a leather wool combo too. Amazing detailing and such lovely photos too!

Reply
Nat @ Made in Home link
3/24/2014 07:27:33 am

I love that skirt! Did not realise we were the same height, and therefore faced similar issues - it is SO hard to know which length to go for! You did a great job!

Reply
PoldaPop link
3/25/2014 04:17:06 am

I love this skirt!!! I'm glad you went with the shorter length and the leather trim really makes this a stand-out skirt. I want to make a leather and wool coat for next winter - where did you find the trim you used?

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    “The
    follow us in feedly
    “Vintage

    Archives

    March 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Knitting Patterns
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Project Archive