I’ve made a lace skirt.
I try to do justice to their annual awesomeness by adding something appropriately beautiful and worthy to my wardrobe… last year’s voucher became the red dress, my favourite cocktail number; and then the spiral leggings. Ok, the leggings were not-so classic but nonetheless a very designer-y perennial and something I am still pretty pleased with.
Anyhoo, I’m returning to the classics with this year’s birthday voucher … ta da.
I used Vogue 1247… ! yah, you’d never have guessed, right? 🙂 The pattern has been fairly drastically altered: with the pieces spliced together, minus the pockets and re-configured to eliminate the waist shaping darts. The dart allowance has instead been removed from the side edges so as to not spoil the lace design; also the pattern normally features a high straight waistband, and I have lowered this a touch and shaped it into the waist also, so it is more like a narrow yoke than a waistband.
The silk charmeuse underlining/lining skirt has all French seams. Instead of sewing the darts in place I folded the dart allowances into pleats which are just folded at the top and stitched in the seam allowance. This is a better way of treating the darts in a skirt lining; less strain on the fabric. This is another feature I’ve seen in high-end skirts.
I wore it for its maiden voyage here in a formal ensemble to go to a Christmas function; showing it off, tizzying it up y’know 😉 but I will also treat this as an everyday little thing, grunge-ing it down with casual loose tops. I’m picturing it with my khaki army shirt, or my billow-y white shirt. I’m very partial to that high/low look y’know. Very me. 🙂
Toodles, friends!
Absolutely stunning! Fantastic job!
Such a lovely colour and beautiful lace, gorgeous!
Beautiful lace!
Lovely outfit and workmanship.
Another gorgeous piece. It looks lovely with that top.
Beeyooootiful!! What a fabulous skirt. I want one! And just perfect with that top.
Carolyn, I think this is my favourite of your skirts!!
Such a lovely skirt! I have been reading your blog for a while and just want to tell you how much I enjoy it. Your projects are beautiful and the photographs are as well. You inspire me to sew more and to sew better. I especially enjoy seeing how you reuse fabric and refashion clothing in truly gorgeous ways. I look forward to each of your posts- thank you for brightening my days with your creativity.
What a lovely elegant classic skirt.
I love your skirt and you were so right to use this pattern. I plan on redrafting this pattern for my own projects in future.
Gorgeous! And it fits you perfectly. Well done!
Oh boy..you have just blown me away with this one. I'm having palpations over here! I love everything you have shown, but his lace skirt tops everything. And the top you are wearing with it.
My wardrobe pales in comparison.
Maybe someday I sit down long enough to re-learn some sewing skills. Until then, I'm just going to have to drool over yours.
This is really gorgeous.
Absolutely stunning! oh wow. You look so so nice. Skirt, Blouse i love so much.
Lovely!
Oh my, this is divine,just so beautifully elegant.
I just about threw myself down on the floor and thrashed about in wonder – what a sensationally simple yet amazingly stunning skirt. LOVE IT.
Beautiful skit looks lovely with you blouse. Great idea to move the shaping into the sides.
So very lovely! And a fabric voucher must be the best birthday present I've veer heard of.
Thats a great tip for eliminating darts on lace. It looks like it worked really well too.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Yup, that about sums up my thoughts right now.
Just beautiful! I love the blouse too
Gorgeous lace Carolyn. The colour is great on you.
Very, very pretty. A beautiful addition to your wardrobe!
Classic and elegant and very you! Love it.
So classy!! I can totally picture you you wearing that in Milan. 🙂
Absolutely beautiful – I can hardly believe it's from that pattern. If you have the time would you consider a quick demo in moving the shaping from the darts to the sides?
Gorgeous skirt and I like Robyn I would like to know the same.
That lace is gorgeous. I love the look and can well imagine you grunging it down or glitzing it up. Grunge and Glitz…there's an idea for a blog name…
Just love that outfit, the lace is so beautiful
Oh so perfect! Thanks for the peak at the inside workings…
Some great tips here! Such a femninly gorgeous skirt.
I would have never guessed this was V1247. Really! You amaze me every day! I take note of the lining treatment.
You look fabulous!
Did not recognize the pattern! And what a lovely skirt it turned into.
What a gorgeous skirt! I can NOT believe you achieved such a fitted style without darts. Does the lace have some sort of stretch to it? Also, that color is perfect to dress up or down.
The color of the lace is just gorgeous. I recently saw a lace skirt very much like this in a magazine and I've been on the lookout for a similar lace since. It's beautiful!
fabulous – and you are reading my mind. I just started playing around with that skirt pattern also to use for a different style. Stop stealing my ideas, ha ha ha. Lovely version, and what nice friends 🙂 you did them proud.
that is such a beautiful looking skirt worthy of the gift vouchers.
You certainly did justice with that gift certificate! And created more beauty for us to admire!
I too, am curious about rotating the waist darts out. I've been messing with a knit skirt and I think I'm simply going to do it with a doing the obvious!
Good to see Sienna again, too!
Brenda
oh my goodness, this outfit is absolutely stunning! I love the simplcity of the lines and the uncomplicated pallet. You know I love all your outfits but this is definately my favourite – fab-u-lous!!!
I love this skirt! Its so gorgeous!
Carolyn,
You have the most amazing wardrobe…and your sewing skills are just superb! 🙂
Very gentle skirt!
I don't know why, but the first thing I noticed about your blog photos (besides the amazing skirt) is that your dog is on a leash! Haha. Love the skirt and would like one for myself.
Your skirt is stunning.
Just fabulous!!
Stunning skirt with all the designer details – very beautiful.
Your lace skirt is so lovely! What lovely friends indeed to be giving you a fabric voucher every year! The reference to your spiral leggings reminded me that I still need to make some.
I've seen that pleat in the lining detail too and so much nicer, if only I would remember to do it!
I'm intrigued by this secret project of yours and look forward to you sharing it.
GORGEOUS as always. Every garment you sew is pure gold!
Wowsers! This is simply stunning. Just wow.
Hi Carolyn – this skirt (&top) is stunning! I have only recently discovered your blog and am constantly amazed at your endless talents – ou have inspired me to try a bit harder with my sewing! Thanks for sharing.
A truly gorgeous outfit.Well done!
(Sienna looks pretty fine too)
Of all the lovely things you have made, this is my absolute favourite. Really beautiful skirt – and great with the top.
Jan ( long time lurker !)
stunning!!!! that lace is amazing! love the top too; the whole outfit is just beautiful 🙂
mmmm, this is perfection! I am totally in love with the blouse too. Aaaah!
I am drooling—this is so beautiful!!
What a beautiful skirt!
This is a really beautiful outfit. The lace is stunning and you have completely done it justice on this skirt. It amused me that you and Sienna are looking in completely different directions in the first photo. If she was just a slightly different shade, she would match that lovely skirt colour!
So lovely! And the nude color really suits you.
I love that you altered V1247 to make this absolutely beautiful skirt.
So, so beautiful. And a perfect matching with the equally gorgeous silk blouse. You look a real delight!
It's beautiful, Carolyn! Love your choice of lace.
Yes, I agree, really beautiful lace. I love those scallops in it. And these colors together are very subtle and elegant on you.
Absolutely gorgeous. The lace is beautiful and the skirt another classic that is right no trend these days. Gosh, if I had no where to wear that skirt, I would at put it on for morning tea or to walk the dog! But I do love your idea of grunging it up some…it would be perfect that way!
Beautiful!!!
Gorgeous, and very inspiring!