Finished Project: Burgundy Pencil Skirt

Ok, so this skirt has had a bit of a transformation since Mondays post. The pattern I was using (Butterick 2115) is no longer recognisable as to be honest, my fabric choice for this skirt was all wrong.
This pattern needs stiffness, preferably wool, not a drapey suiting fabric that has a slight stretch to it.

 

I followed the instructions to begin with anyway, but after trying it on after the sides had been stitched I knew it was all wrong. If I took the skirt in and used some of that stretch it would have shown off all my lumps & bumps, which nobody needs to see!

So in an effort to not have wasted my time I unpicked the darts and replaced them with gathering stitches. I cut the length to sit at the knee, and added a side lapped zipper (my first ever go at this) and then attached the waistband as normal. Finishing it off are 2 grey buttons to secure the waistband.

 And now another confession...I broke my 'No Polka Dot' rule just a little. I've had a fat quarter of this fabric in my stash that called my name when I was looking for something to back my waistband. I succumbed, I'm sorry, forgive me?

I also haven't gotten around to taking photos of me in it yet, as I have been mega busy recently due to having secured a stall at a local vintage car show, where I will be selling my stock of vintage clothes! It's on 19th May so things may get a little quieter around these parts as I need to fix a few of these dresses before they can be sold.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend! (and Bank Holiday Monday if you're in the UK!)

Palette Challenge: Burgundy Pencil Skirt

I've been wanting to make another pencil skirt for a while now, my first attempt was blogged here and was made using a self draughted pattern. As much I like the outcome, and the skirt is in constant rotation for work, I've decided to use a ready made pattern I picked up very cheaply on Ebay.

The pattern is Butterick 2115 and is dated 1963

I'm going to be using some of the burgundy suiting I picked up at my local fabric shop at £5 a metre.
I came extremely close to actually using this for a circle skirt as it has a very nice drape, but as much fun as circle skirts are, I know I will get more wear out of a fitted skirt.

At the moment I'm going to be sewing up the red version which has a plain front and 2 inverted pleats at the back, but we'll see how well this fabric behaves.