I’ve had this fabric in my stash for about 3 years now and I originally got it from the swap table at Stitchroom Sewcial. It’s a textured, almost seersucker wool challis and I’d always planned to use a Vogue asymmetric drape skirt pattern from my stash for it. Time went on (doesn’t it always??) and I just never got around to it…until this week when it became next in the queue from my planned makes list.
The pattern which is dated 2002 is an old Vogue design. I found a few still available online… This one from Amazon.com and this one on Etsy for instance. The front drape looks interesting and the whole skirt apart from the yoke is cut on the bias.
Here’s the thing though…I only had what I guessed was about a metre of the fabric so some serious ‘Pattern Tetris’ was needed. I did it in the end, but with some compromises. The under-wrap section is pieced at the top third (though it doesn’t show as it’s out of sight) and both yokes have at least two joins in, which I did manage to match. The side seams, however, don’t match but as the angles on the seams are all a bit different due to the asymmetry, I may not have been able to get them to match perfectly anyway…so I’m cutting myself some slack on that one and allowing the misdemeanour 🙂
Draped Asymmetric Skirt: The Finer Details
As I mentioned this asymmetric skirt is bias cut. The back hemline angles down towards the left and on the front, the left side sweeps up underneath to the right side seam at the waist. The right front has an angled drape coming down from the waistline. It’s quite easy to put together actually.
I started off by sewing the side seams and then I did the long hemline which starts at the end of one front and finishes at the end of the other front. This hem needed to be small and fine. The pattern instructions said to press a ⅝” allowance, then fold under again and stitch by machine. Instead, I decided to hand sew all of this by just rolling it under my fingers and slipstitching with fine stitches. I think it makes for a much more delicate hem.
Next I made the yoke which is interfaced and lined and once that was done I finished off by sewing in a concealed zip down the side seam. Just before stitching in the zip though, I made sure to iron narrow strips of interfacing down the seam to prevent any stretching of the seam due to the bias grain.
A fancy label and some slip stitching to secure the yoke lining were all that was needed to complete my skirt. Apart from the slow start with the cutting out, it was really quite a speedy make.
My Style?
For the blog photos, I’ve styled the skirt with my burgundy suede boots and a neat ribbed sweater.
There is a caveat to this post though…I’m afraid I really don’t feel like me in this make and I think it may be a style fail for me. The minute I put on the finished skirt for a final try-on I looked in the mirror and felt very ‘off’ and I could feel my mood drop. The slight ‘A’ line, the heaviness toward the hemline…non of these features feel authentically me. I suspect I won’t be reaching for it very much when I go to get dressed of a morning.
Funnily enough, I haven’t actually been reaching for any of my skirts to wear much within the last couple of years…with the exception of a jersey tube skirt which I really like.
For one thing, I’ve found skirts difficult to style for some reason, especially for matching up with my outerwear in a way that feels right to me. Now, I’m wondering if it’s the specific skirt shapes that I’m not enjoying.
Suffice to say that the process of creating this skirt has left me curious to analyse my core style and delve deeper into style in general which I’m finding really, really interesting. I’ll probably expand on this a bit more in my next post so stay tuned.
In the meantime I won’t be donating the skirt to charity or anything as final as that (I may be able to re-cut the style at some point) but I will pop it in a holding cupboard while I mull things over.
Overall I’m pleased with how it turned out and I’m glad I went through the creative process. I think we are continually learning and that can only be a good thing in my book 🙂
As always, thanks for reading and I’ll see you soon!
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Very interesting post, Diane. When I looked at your first photo, I thought it looked amazing on you: so elegant yet wearable! But unless one’s ego is outsized or wearing high fashion (no matter what!) is the goal, it really is about what makes each of us feel attractive.
Because I am short, 5’1″ (1.55 meters), have a larger bust, very short waist (and am now a bit heavy in the middle), skirts are very hard for me to wear, widening my lower half so that I have a heavy upper body and heavy lower body. So I enjoy seeing others look great in a skirt! Instead of a skirt, I opt for split skirts, culottes, short, cropped pants or pants.
Do you think that the style’s length doesn’t appeal to you? Does that feel heavy / less attractive to you? I noticed that a lot of your skirts are knee length, not a midi-length. Does it not “feel good” for some reason? It LOOKS graceful.
No matter what your readers say, how you feel when wearing the garment will determine whether it is worn! But we can offer insight that leads to a solution and offer objective opinion!
Author
Thank you so much, Joan. I always enjoy your thoughtful and thought-provoking replies. I *think* it may be the width at the hemline on the skirt that feels off. And you’re right, my other skirts are all around or above knee level (funnily enough, I’ve gone off the flared ones that I already own).
But as you say, ultimately whatever others think it’s how *we* feel in something that matters. I’ll try some different ways to style it and if non of them get me excited then I may have to think about whether or not I pass the skirt on
(I rambled on rather too much about my figure and skirts.)
I didn’t mention that your vintage pattern is one that I recognized immediately and have always loved, even though I do not own it. So when it is flattering on someone else (particularly bc I cannot wear the style), I really appreciate it!
It’s a really lovely skirt, I think you went a little to “safe” with your styling. Maybe go a little Alexander Mc Queen. Didn’t you make a moto jacket a while back?
And I think the boots are just wrong for it-
biker boots, chuck Taylor’s or strappy heels would give it more edge.
Didn’t you make a pair of skinny leather pants? Try layering those under it.
I often find that with a new style I have to work to make it work.
I always get such great inspiration from you. I’m sure you’ll find something perfect.
Author
Thank you, Gayle. These boots are faves of mine, though maybe burgundy isn’t the best match. Hmm, I possess neither leather skinny pants, nor a moto jacket (do you perhaps have me confused with someone else?). Either way, I will definitely try a few more ways to style the skirt 🙂
STILL really love this style on you, Diane! Went looking for this pattern on Google and ended up back on this page of your blog this evening! I think I remember that you ultimately restyled this, but it looked great on you!
Author
Thanks, Joan! Looking back on these photos it doesn’t look too bad to me now, but I remember wishing the fabric had more weight and drape. I never did get around to doing anything with it and ended up donating it after all. And I’m still not a huge skirt wearer 🙂
Me, neither! But you do have the height to wear skirts well. I purchased some easy-to-wear, low heel, to-the-knee boots last year, so I am hoping to wear some longer skirts instead of endless pants and leggings in my cold Midwest climate (possibly not realistic!)
I do love this on you Diane! I think with the simple sweater ( maybe next time in one of the med tone colours of the plaid) and your great boots, it’s super sharp! It’s beautifully sewn and you’ve done some real magic to get it out of limited yardage.
I love skirts….on others! I’m attracted to them and then when I have them on I feel like I’m standing in a hole! I think there has to be a style/ length/ fabric that works for me but I’ve yet to find the right combination. I look forward to reading about your research
Author
Thank you, Val! I agree that a medium tone sweater would have been a better match. The one in the photos was about the only top that looked reasonable with it. I don’t even possess a slightly darker shade. I had to smile at your comment about how you feel In skirts though…we sound similar..hehe.
I like it and it’s seems to be a style that doesn’t go out of style. A darker top I think would look better overall and might stop that dragging down feeling. Then perhaps a lighter scarf. Try that and see if you like it any better. I do understand about skirts though. For winter especially I am a pants person.
Author
Thanks, Vicki. Hmmm…I do see what you mean about maybe having a dark top, yet I rarely wear dark colour by my face and I like outfits with contrast in due to my pale face and dark hair. A scarf may help though :).
Like you, I do gravitate more to pants in Winter. I will get to the bottom of finding the skirt styles that suit me though. It’ll be a challenge!
Well, for one, it is a very nice skirt. It looks great on you and is probably rather wintery kind of garment. However, it it feels off, then it does, and it is also ok. Thanks for sharing your doubts, Diane! I find your stories refreshingly honest. Not everything is hunkydory all the time in sewing, and it is also ok to step aside at times and learn from the project. I find myself not wanting to sew skirts too, so smiled a bit reading your thoughts about them. Thanks for sharing!
Author
Thank you, Giedre! You’re always so kind and generous with your comments.
It is a nice skirt and when I showed my mum today her reaction was that she thought I looked fab in it. I think I struggle with the proportions perhaps and I have a thing about not liking myself with coats over flared skirts that show below the coat. I’ll be re-thinking my skirt silhouettes and also coat silhouettes. More on that to come…
As an aside, funny that you feel the same as me about skirts. 🙂
What is even more funny is that I have very similar feeling about the skirts and coats! Probably had not quite voiced to myself what was wrong with the A line or flared skirts under coats. While you have summed it up very well indeed! It is worth a thought.
You might consider long straight coat which would hide the entire skirt. This skirt is beautiful and you do look fab in it! The skirt deserves to be worn 🙂
Author
Hah! Can you read my mind Giedre? Guess what I was doing before I read your reply to my comment? Yes….looking at long coat inspiration on Pinterest and browsing long coat patterns! It sounds like we both need one!