Top o’ the mornin’ evenin’ to you!!
St Patricks day seemed an appropriate occasion to pull out this length of emerald green corduroy from the stash and make it up into something. Anything. I bought this fabric from Spotlight, last year. Of course it’s kinda ludicrous for me to be wearing a corduroy skirt today since it is a warm 31C here in Perth! but here ’tis, all the same. A corduroy skirt is not so much weather-appropriate right now as it is weather-anticipatory… but I’m sure I’ll be grateful for it when more winter-y temperatures kick in. And hey, isn’t Emerald the Colour of the Year, or something?? Woa! Definitely a good day to be adding a little emerald green to my wardrobe!
I wanted a skirt that was a little boxy, blocky and oversized, rather than the usual, streamlined little A-line/pencil hybrid silhouette that I usually go for… so I started with a favourite basic pattern Vogue 8363 and played with the proportions. I cut the skirt pieces a lot wider; probably roughly equivalent to a size 18 front/20 back; and a waistband to be my usual size 10, and folded the excess width in pleats into the waistband; two single pleats at the front and two box pleats at the back.
I put in those fabulously deep, slanted front pockets in the pattern and left off a lining, since I think the oversize factor, or looseness of the skirt will help stave off any tights/skirt static electricity problem. I’m thinking of making a separate petticoat if the tights adhesion issue does rear its ugly head.
Perusing the zips; usually an invisible zip would be my first choice but all the available colour options looked terrible with this rich emerald green; either too dark or too bright. Nothing looked right. The best colour match was this bright green dress zip, and I finally decided I could live with a dress zip in a skirt; sure, it is a casual choice but so is corduroy a casual fabric. It’s been ages since I’ve put a dress zip in a straight seam without a fly, and I had to stop for a second and think it through again!
I got creative with the insides. Do brightly contrasting “fun” interior details bother you? Then look away now! I’m afraid, without going out and buying new fabric, and I am trying to shop my stash as much as possible this year; the least offensive option was this violet/mauve shot cotton, leftovers from this top that I made for Mum. I finished all the raw edges with HongKong seaming, and the waistband facing and pocket linings are also cut from this fabric. The ultra good news: I have barely any scraps at all leftover from these two lengths of fabric now!
I’m very very happy with my boxy new skirt: I think it looks stylish and smart and it feels very easy wearing and comfortable. I think it will look terrific in winter; with my fitted cardigans, with button-up shirts tucked in, and tights and boots underneath.
Details:
Top; top “a” from shape shape (fornerly known as Unique Clothes Any Way You Like) by Natsuno Hiraiwa, white cotton, details here
Skirt; Vogue 8363 modified, emerald green cotton corduroy, my review of this pattern here
Shoes; c/o Misano
Even if it is too warm, you look splendid with your corduroy skirt. And with those lovely shoes it´s just perfect!
The finishings are just amazing. So neat!
I have got myself 3 and a half meters of emerald green "kinda" satin…I´m thinking palazzo pants, I´m thinking Vogue 1170…
It's quite stylish! And I do love the color, but green is a favorite of mine anyway. Also, I like the contrasting color interior–it's like a fun little secret, and I enjoy doing those sorts of things whenever I can. Especially in solid clothes, because it keeps my inner printoholic happier.
Beautiful – I especially love the color!
I love this skirt, and the color. You're sewing is always so amazing and inspiring. And I love the idea of taking a plain pencil skirt design and adding pleats. I may have to try this for a summer skirt.
Wonderful skirt and your inside finished are incredible. The emerald looks so pretty on you.
That's a great skirt! I love the combination of corduroy and the pleats, and it's a great colour.
Love the color! Especially with your awesome shoes.
What a great new skirt! Love that you're sewing for the season ahead.
I doubt you'll have a static problem if it's all cotton corduroy. At the latitudes where I have lived, St Patrick's Day has always been one of the coldest days of the year, so it's Topsy Turvy to think of you being too warm in a simple corduroy skirt.
It looks lovely on you, and the shoes are a great choice to wear with the skirt!
Very very stylish! I love the vibrant color, it's one of my favorite colors, and what you.did to the pattern 🙂
Really cute skirt. I just love the simplicity of your wardrobe and that you make everything. Oh I wish I had your talent. I might even give up dancing if I had the talent and discipline that you do…and could sew my own complete wardrobe. Well….maybe. 🙂
I do love dancing…
It's a lovely skirt, and you're inspiring me to hone my sewing skills! I can put things together that fit, but the insides never look this good…
This color really suits you and its pantone color of the year. way to start ! i love the shape and how tidy and cute is inside. wonderful job!
lovely! that shade of green is a favorite, as is corduroy. and i really like the idea of adding a fun accent on the inside — something like that would make me smile every time i saw it. thanks for sharing!
Love the colours. The shape it great too. Autumn will come soon so you can wear it more. 🙂
It is a gorgeous skirt, inside and out. I love the colour choices too.
Great minds think alike (ok not exactly) but I had to laugh when I read your post this morning as I was planning to wear my new green corduroy skirt! using another Vogue skirt pattern – the one you used to make the leatherette skirt. You are influencing me from afar! Happy St. Patrick's day…now someone bring me a Guinness.
Loving everything about this skirt! The shape, the colour, the pockets and the fun interior. I want one!
Love the bright color. Very pretty, inside and out.
Happy St. Patty's! Adding pockets is a must for me too, and I love the purple contrast you finished the skirt off with on the inside. I hope there is no stickage so you don't have to go back and add lining, I'm terrible for going back to do things like that!
Its just lovely, the inside is so nice! You did a super job.
NICE!
I am just beginning a pencil skirt and want to do hong kong seams…do I wrap the centre back seams prior to inserting the zip?
Tez; thank you! You can go either way, whichever you prefer… if you wrap the edges *after* inserting the zip you partially encase the zip tape as well, which does look quite neat, or wrap *before* inserting the zip, which is easier overall. I chose to finish the HongKong seaming on all the raw edges *before* sewing any seams/inserting the zip.
Enchanting Emerald indeed !
So funny that you and Beth Sunnygal both made green cord skirts. Haha! Love your skirt. Very flattering.
Oh I'm waiting for the day when you'll make something that does not totally make me drool! Everything you touch turns out gorgeous!
I do like that shade of green and I like what you did with the pleats. It would look very patriotic with the yellow blouse you made.
Haha; apart from actual bonafide Olympians representing the country… Australians do not tend to go there! 🙂
such a beautiful colour which looks wonderful on you- and I too love those shoes.
I love the emerald colour! I´m sewing a cape in this colour in that moment!!! ha, ha, ha!
It looks great on you, and it seems soooo comfy 🙂
The Vogue skirt is a lovely basic -and good time to use up fabric that is "the colour of the year". It looks as though it is one of 2014's winter colours as well, so you should get some good wear out of this skirt. I don't wear a petticoat with corduroy skirts at home, but if I go out and want it to sit really nicely, I do – it eliminates any drag. But with this sort of shape, I doubt you will get much of that 🙂
What a great skirt.
luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurve this. That colour! Been looking for something similar for a pair of wide leg pants…. The shape is divine and I'm so impressed with you scrap craftiness.
Lovely colour and a great choice for winter, I think. I love the contrast inside – you have inspired me to try that. It seems so odd, you're sewing for winter and I am longing for winter to be over…
Hope you enjoy the banana bread.
Cute outfit! And it's always nice to see a surprise color on the inside!
What a beautiful colour. The skirt looks fabulous with those shoes. I'm sure this skirt will get a ton of wear as things cool down.
Love that colour with your hair! You remind me of an Italian flag…then again, Ireland's flag is also green white and red! A belated Happy St. Pat's Day to you!
I love contrast linings and such – and the HK seams are perfect for corduroy 🙂
Adorable….love the color and the style!
Great colour and style. I love cord skirts.
Love the boxy design of the skirt and the inners.
Great green skirt – love the look of it and as you say – it will look smashing with tights and boots.
Perfect cord skirt, love the colour, the bright inside and your ballet flats are gorgeous.
Oh, you are really a perfekt seamstress. I like the skirt and the top!
have a good time
Christine
What a gorgeous, vibrant colour, Just beautiful.
Love this! Your inside finishes are always inspiring! Good job cleaning out the last little bits of fabric scraps too!
When you look to the side I see very well that It fits so good! That's why hand made is awesome)) It always fits))