I made a skirt for my daughter…
I used another piece from the bundle of fabric given to me by my friend C, from her late mother’s stash. Going by certain clues (only 90cm in width, a stapled-on tag from a long-gone local store with imperial measurements penciled on it) this piece must be at least 35 years old, and probably the loveliest piece of the lot; densely woven, light/medium weight and slightly crisp with a matte crepe-y texture. It cut like butter and sewed together beautifully. I don’t know if it was expensive, but it feels like it could have been quite expensive… and I even started to wonder if it could be silk so I did a burn test on a scrap. Well, it shriveled up faster than you can say “omg, where has my skirt gone?!” SO, a fairly important modesty as well as a safety tip there for Cassie….
The print, of random wave-y rows of organic turquoise blobs on a snowy white ground is pretty cool… don’t you think? Lava lamp-ish, sorta. Optimistic and space-age-y both, just like the 60’s and 70’s were. So a bubbly kinda print for a bubbly kinda skirt, y’know. I think it works well, stylistically. And she likes it!
I used Burda 7370, the 2-layered skirt in view B but without the extra insert bits. I knew she liked this shape, since it is a pattern we bought together for her recently and she has made one up for herself already in a denim-blue burnt-out jersey. Having Cassie’s perfectly custom-fitted version for comparison made this second version an easier job for me…. Incidentally, I think it is interesting that Cassie has exactly the same fitting issues as me; taking in several centimetres off the waist is a given in any skirt pattern.
The skirt lining is of pale blue shot cotton in Ice, hemmed by folding in twice and machine stitching. All the raw edges inside the skirt are overlocked to finish, and the hems on both layers finished with the rolled hem on my overlocker.
Details:
Skirt; Burda 7370 view B, turquoise and white print synthetic crepe, at least 35 years old
Camisole; Country Road
In twirl mode…
Pattern Description:
Flared skirt, either two or three layers, two yoke variations and side zip
Pattern Sizing:
European 32 (US 6) to European 42 (US 16). I made the size 8.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, except that I left off the extra inserts.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
very easy
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Love the cute flippiness of this skirt, a perfect dancing skirt for a girl who loves to dance like my daughter. It looks adorable when on, swishes about gloriously and accentuates her waist beautifully.
I’m not thrilled that it requires such a lot of fabric, but that is just stinginess talking… The first time she made up this pattern and we were buying the (not particularly cheap) fabric that she had chosen, I really had to bite my tongue at how much it was costing! However she did a superb job of making it up. And she’s worn them a lot. This version pictured here is the second skirt using this same pattern.
Fabric Used:
Light/medium-weight synthetic crepe
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
The pattern is gorgeous just the way it is. The only alteration to the instructions I would suggest is my usual one; when inserting an invisible zip I get a much better and smoother result by sewing in the zip BEFORE sewing up the rest of the seam allowance below the zip. This requires some careful measurement to get the lining and skirt seams lined up and sewn up perfectly, but is worth it for the superior finish.
I finished the lower hem using the rolled hem stitch on my overlocker.
Other than that, the only adjustments I made were just custom-fitting issues, taking in a few centimeters off the waist.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Probably will sew this again for my daughter.
If you love to dance and twirl about then do I highly recommend this one!! My daughter cannot resist sashaying about, just by putting this skirt on!
Conclusion:
Uses a lot of fabric, but is so cute and feminine and so darn flippy that it is well worth going there. My daughter went out dancing with her friends, was the only one in her crowd not wearing a miniature mini dress, and the only one who didn’t have to worry about constantly pulling down said miniature mini dress whilst on the dance floor. She enjoyed that freedom, and said that she got lots of compliments… win! Apparently she got offered lots of free drinks too… hmmm
Wow, is that cute! What a lovely skirt to wear on a hot summer day. I especially love the twirling picture. 😀
Carolyn, your photographs are breathtakingly beautiful. I'm so enchanted with the sight of Cassie in the skirt you beautifully made.
Amazing fabric! The pictures are wonderful as well – the colors!
A beautiful skirt, and art in motion. 🙂
Beautiful skirt, beautiful seascape.
It's so pretty. It sounds a bit old school, but it's great to see a young woman looking cute, stylish and confident, rather than flashing her bits and looking uncomfortable.
Cute, simple and fun! I love it. What a glorious day too!
That skirt looks lovely on your daughter. I really admire the photography in twirl mode. You must feel very blessed to live in such a beautiful place!
this skirt is adorable .
Gosh this is totally adorable! I wonder if I could get away with wearing something like this….?
If you ever decide not to blog, you would make a fantastic photographer. That is a very cool skirt. I wish my daughter would wear skirts!
Wow, that is so lovely and looks gorgeous on your daughter.
Your daughter, Cassie, is stunning. What a pretty girl! These pictures look like one of the girls in a Pre-Raphaelite painting has stepped out of all the gloom and into the bright Australian sunshine.
As for the skirt, 10 out of 10. Cute, flattering, and the fabric looks bang up to date, not vintage-y at all.
Great skirt, and your daughter looks just like you 🙂
Great skirt! It looks like your daughter is learning to follow Mum's footsteps in the terms of posing for photos! 🙂
Gorgeous fabric and gorgeous daughter!
Beautiful!
That skirt is so cute! I wish it was summer over here … but then again dance classes and practices would be a good excuse to sew it NOW. Thanks for the tip 🙂
And thanks or all the nice comments on my site <3
Love it! Seems that beautiful fabric was destined for that twirly little skirt. As always you have done a great job, and I love the photos. Of course we're just getting into our winter here. So I'm jealous 😛 but that said I hope you're having a wonderful spring!
super cute skirt in my favorite color. Isn't it interesting about the older fabrics, such quality. I have noticed the same thing with some vintage fabrics I have bought, even the cottons were so nice, weighty and soft at the same time. Also, great photos.
Very cute and summery fabric, and I love the skirt! It looks so pretty on Cassie! (And I had to smirk about the thought of her friends having to pull down their dresses all the time… hehe, teenagers…)
Super cute! Love it with the ocean background photo shoot too!
Perfect all round. I would think your friend is very happy that her late mother's fabrics are being so well appreciated too.
Such a great skirt for a young girl! Wonderful photography, I can almost feel the warmth…
it looks amazing! the print, the color, the flow, the playfulness …the beach! and wow 35 yrs old print!
Great skirt. Your daughter looks like she's enjoying your work.
Your daughter looks so cute in her skirt. These shots are great with the wind whipping it about.
Ooh to be twirling around in the Australian sunshine. Your photos and beautiful skirt make me wish I was a teen again. Thanks for posting this lovely piece!
WOW!! Gorgeous outfit!!You look fabulous!!
You have such a nice blog,I looove your style!!
http://copiszczywszafie.blogspot.com/
maybe we can follow each other?
have a wonderful day… keep in touch