I’ve made another winter skirt. From the tanned hide of that elusive and rare wild beast; the leatherette. Classy, non?Hehe, so I’ve made bags and tablecloths using PVC before, pretty simple beginner’s type stuff; but this is the first wearable garment I’ve attempted from this sort of stuff. Phwoar! A first! (self high five)
I spotted this fab leatherette at Fabulous Fabrics, and practically pounced on it. The colour is a pretty awesome colour for winter, no? Sorta grey, sorta brown. Very moi. There was also a marvellous dirty pumpkin colour, which was pretty divine. That one was darn tempting as well. I’ll be honest with you, I dithered. But eventually I had to choose a colour, just one colour, although it was like having to choose between two of my children.
Oh, it also came in black, but that caused no dithering on my part. I was dither-less in the face of black.
I used the skirt pattern from Vogue 1170. I have made the top from this pattern already, reviewed here, but this is the first time I have made the skirt.
I bound all the raw edges with HongKong binding, as stipulated, and although I did buy lining fabric I opted not to use it. The built-in body and stiffness inherent in this type of coated fabric along with the frictionless texture of the backing stuff means that sticking to tights is not going to be a problem here. The leatherette is surprisingly soft and pliable to wear, although I can tell it is going to take some getting used to. I feel almost Barbarella in this. Modern. A bit suave and sophisticated; a little bit “cool”. Very unlike me π
above right; those funny fat seam allowances in the small of the back? That, my friends, is my sway back adjustment π
The pattern stipulates a hemline facing, which I did, but it was utterly disastrous in this fabric. With the facing in place the hemline went from previously smooth and free flowing to stiff and awkward and pokey-outy horrible. Finally I decided that the best finish was to have the curved edge trimmed as smoothly as I was capable of, and left raw and un-hemmed. Which is what I did after unpicking the hem stitching, and the under-stitching, and I even rescued the HongKong seaming off the facing also to use for a future project (waste not want not, and all that….) That was a whole heap of painstaking unpicking, I tell you.
What else… oh, I made the pockets deeper. The pocket was pieced for reduced bulk., so that the pocket facings on the outer edges of the pocket are leatherette and lightweight polycotton forms the bulk of the pocket piece. This polycotton was harvested from one of my old Pattern Magic muslins and was also used for the HongKong seaming. Unfortunately the placement of the pockets is right on the hipbone, which means that one cannot really use them for anything bulkier than a tissue or a credit card anyway. Just saying. But at least the pockets are there!
Details:
Skirt; Vogue 1170, “leatherette”
Shirt; my own design, using several patterns, of black cotton mix, details here
Shoes; Perrini (I’ve had these for donkey’s years)
Pattern Description:
Flared skirt has front and back seam details, back invisible zip closing and wide waistband
Pattern Sizing:
4-10. I made mine a straight size 10.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you had finished sewing it?
Well, mine resembles the line drawing on the envelope. The photo on the envelope is completely featureless. Black… really?? You can’t make out any details on the skirt at all!
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Pretty, flirty and feminine, resembling a straight A-line from the front view, and then frilly and twirly from the back view. The angular seaming between the skirt and the front yoke is a nice feature. I also like that lovely wide high waistband, and the instruction to bind all the internal raw edges with HongKong seaming is a nice finishing touch. I really like to see patterns encouraging people to extend themselves to use high quality internal finishes like this.
A small gripe, the pockets are situated right high on the hip, so they not really very useful. Also, in my opinion, the more “twirly” a short skirt is the more difficult it can be to wear. I added 10cm in length to the lower edge of my lower skirt pieces.
Fabric Used:
PU laminate or “leatherette”, lightweight polycotton for the HongKong seaming
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I thought it looked quite short on the envelope photograph so I lengthened the skirt by 10cm. This meant the skirt facing pieces were completely different to the pattern piece; but that was no biggie, I just used my new longer skirt pieces themselves to cut the facings. However, I ended up not using them because this method of hemming turned out to be disastrously bulky with my PU. I went with a clean-cut raw edge.
I made my pocket pieces longer for a deeper pocket, and pieced them to be PU for the facings on the edges, and lightweight polycotton for the central main part of the pocket piece; for lesser bulk.
I removed width in the back/side back seams for a sway back adjustment.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I would sew it up again … and already have! π And yes!
Conclusion:
A very nice skirt pattern, with interesting seaming and a pretty yet modern silhouette. However I do think the skirt length as it is in the pattern presents an unbalanced and slightly unflattering silhouette, and adding just 10cm to the length substantially improved the proportions of the skirt. I think it is visually important that the lower flounce at the back of the skirt be at least as long as the fitted yoke sections above it. Shorter; the effect is slightly “top heavy”.
Wow, that's awesome! I think the length you have it is perfect.
That is a fantastic skirt, and I never noticed that pattern before. Your choice of material really shows off the design.
Yes, you have drawn attention to a pattern that I would never have noticed from the Vogue illustration. This looks like your perfect colour and I'm sure will be a staple in your wardrobe.
Absolutely gorgeous! The back of the skirt looks amazing in that fabric. ItΒ΄s very wearable too!
That's a great skirt! I've been wondering about sewing with (fake) leather – must take the plunge!
This is just beautiful. I LOVE it!
That is a lovely skirt and I really like the colour. I have never sewn with pleather before but did make a beautiful leather jacket and skirt in my teens when I was young and 10 foot tall and bulletproof. I don't know whether I would have the nerve now though!
The dress looks much better with your material than on the Pattern Cover. Especially the back of the dress looks really lovely, perfect fit and drape! Very nice.
Great skirt! I love the back details.
I had never noticed the skirt before, and I like Rachel Comey patterns, you are right, why on earth did Vogue make it in black??? I love the seaming. I bet a lot more 1170's will be sold because of this skirt. Of course as always it looks great on you. Nice job.
Great skirt and a beautiful cut. If it was from Burda magazine, it would be made from lamb napa. Are you at all tempted to go all the way? I would be if it looked that good on me.
What a wonderful combination of patern and fabric. Wonderful choices and fits you beautifully.
It's beautiful and very well balanced. The detailing/seaming is very interesting.
Very on trend – it looks great. I really like the way you've shaped the back.
May I ask how tall you are? I bought this pattern after seeing your top. Now you have me reconsidering the skirt but wanted your height so I can think about length vs proportion. Your length is great on you!
Thank you everyone!
Nancy; I am 5'9" I hope this helps; but really I think the skirt benefits from a few extra inches in length for any height woman. I thought it to be very important visually for that flounce at the back to be at least as long as the fitted yoke section above it. I just updated the review to include this.
Absolutely fabulous! Love the back of the skirt.
That's a great skirt in a great colour (I'd call it taupe). I love the little pockets. The back is really interesting, though I'm not sure I would ever draw a ring around my derriere. It looks fine on you, however. I can well imagine the other colour was very hard to pass up.
Beautiful! I love your skirt reviews and they make me want to make all of them.
I want one! I think you were right to lengthen it. The final shape is great. It looks really good with the black top.
It amazes me how one can elevate itselft every project. I love this skirt so much!
I'm in love! What a fabulous skirt. And the colour – I would have chosen this one too, a perfect neutral imo. I think you're right about the proportions, it needs to be this long for visual balance. Was the leatherette hard to sew?
wow, you've been productive lately! I like the stiff fabric and how it "shapes" the design elements. Interesting! i didn't think anything about the length until you analyzed it so … I wear most of my skirts this length, but maybe the balance would be better. Good for you for all that unpicking… I have so many buckets of scraps I'm tempted to heave the whole lot sometime…
The skirt has such an interesting cut…and no cowettes were harmed in its production!
I think you are very cool indeed. I adore your skirt. It looks terrific with the soft drape of your dark blouse, and most urban against the stairs.
very noice.
Wow. I've never even noticed this skirt pattern before. I've only ever noticed the top. Great skirt. Looking uber chic!
Oh what a great looking skirt – I love the back. Very stylish!
Stunning skirt. Wow .. Lucky me I go the pattern… You inspired me xx
I love how the leatherette drapes in the back of the skirt! Very kewl!
Wow – you've done a great job. I think I will be purchasing this pattern.
It's beautiful – especially like the back detail. It must be a lot of fun to walk in – I bet is swishes and swings beautifully!
THAT IS AMAZING CAROLYN! Utterly amazing.
It looks fantastic, my favorite side is the back. I might have to get this pattern. I have some black leather(ette) I bought on sale a while back, and it might have to become a skirt just like yours =)
I love it! I love skirts and dresses with more going on in the back than the front. Love your top too!
This skirt is amazing! I never would have thought to use leather for a skirt but this makes me want to make one now. It turned out amazingly. I love the pleats in the back especially.
Absolutely love it.