This skirt could be a wardrobe staple
June 20, 2011
Fatty and I are back from a little vay-cay. It was so nice to step away for a week, spend time with my husband and my parents, eat great food, see great sights, and sleep in. I needed that. Right before I left, I made this skirt. And when I say right before, I mean the day prior to leaving when I should have been packing my suitcase and cleaning my house. So not the time to start a sewing project, but, hey, that's how I roll. Besides, the packing and the cleaning got done in time so it was a win-win, you know?
Anyhow, back to the skirt. It's Anna Maria Horner's Flirting the Issue Skirt and I highly recommend making yourself one or three, if you are in need of skirts. And maybe you should still make one even if you don't need skirts because it's that fantastic. The construction is simple and you can probably whip one of these out in an afternoon. The most time consuming portion was threading the elastic through the channels for the waistband. After first fit, it was too big (which I am pretty sure was a measuring issue) so I just shortened the elastic. It was a super simple fix because I hadn't sewn the channel openings closed. So if I have one suggestion, it'd be to try it on for fit before you hand sew those four little openings shut. And actually, I have a second suggestion. Have someone else take your measurements so as not to have a fit problem in the first place. I should have done that.
As a few people noticed on my last clothing post, I have a dress form. Sweet, huh? Fatty and the girls gifted it to me for my birthday. Although I haven't really had time to really use it properly, it sure makes photographing finished garments super easy. Silly, but true.
Now back to the blog hiatus - see you here again sometime soon.
I'm dreaming of skirts right now and living vicariously through all of the beautiful ones I'm seeing lately. I will get one made eventually. Happy vacation and summer!
Posted by: Suzanne | June 20, 2011 at 02:00 PM
Love the new skirt. I am a bit envious of your dress form.
Posted by: Heather | June 20, 2011 at 02:29 PM
Ooo, That looks like I could modify it into a maternity pattern. Or not really modify it much at all. Thanks for posting.
Posted by: Jodie | June 20, 2011 at 02:53 PM
I got a dressform for my birthday too. They are really lovely tools.
Posted by: Bekah | June 20, 2011 at 03:06 PM
Thank you for the pattern link! I've had some voile stashed away that I want to use for a skirt.
Posted by: Meg Evans | June 20, 2011 at 03:16 PM
ooh, i love it! looks like a skirt that will get a lot of use in the summertime.
Posted by: kristin | June 20, 2011 at 04:04 PM
Super cute!! I just might actually dust off the sewing machine for this one. I have some vintage sheets I might use.
Posted by: jade | June 20, 2011 at 05:07 PM
Very cute skirt and I love your new header.
Posted by: Beth | June 20, 2011 at 05:12 PM
thanks, beth!
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | June 20, 2011 at 06:20 PM
that would be adorable!
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | June 20, 2011 at 06:21 PM
thanks, k! i think it's going to get worn a lot.
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | June 20, 2011 at 06:21 PM
you'll love making this one, meg!
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | June 20, 2011 at 06:22 PM
i'm was so excited to receive one, too!
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | June 20, 2011 at 06:23 PM
the waist is super stretchy - i bet it'd be great for maternity! and then you could wear it after, too!
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | June 20, 2011 at 06:24 PM
thanks, heather!
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | June 20, 2011 at 06:24 PM
if you have a free sewing afternoon, this is a great one to try!
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | June 20, 2011 at 06:25 PM
This is just what I was looking for in a skirt! It looks like a great summer skirt. What type of material did you use? I have a lot of quilting cotton at home that I should use up, but it seems like it would lay weird? I saw the instructions recommend a voile or lawn, but I thought I'd ask your opinion.
Thanks!
Posted by: Beverly | June 20, 2011 at 06:48 PM
I like it a lot! And, with more than one elastic band, it seems less likely to do the pinching in your stomach thing.
Posted by: Dorie | June 20, 2011 at 07:18 PM
Love the skirt! I have the pattern too, and have been looking for some time to make one for my girls! On another note, could you pretty please tell me the name of the blue paint that's in the background of the skirt? I'm looking for a different color for our master bedroom. Thank you so much!
Julie
Posted by: Julie | June 20, 2011 at 08:22 PM
love it! i need some sewing projects! of course, that would mean i'd have to dig out my machine and supplies from one of these many boxes... hmm. unpacking is overrated.
Posted by: traci | June 21, 2011 at 01:15 AM
I do think quilting cotton might be a bit bulky. I used two layers of voile, but I think a cotton batiste or a lawn would be nice, too.
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | June 21, 2011 at 05:09 AM
It does not pinch! I wore it to dinner last night and it is super comfy!
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | June 21, 2011 at 05:10 AM
Thanks Julie! I'll try to figure out the paint color - I don't remember off the top of my head.
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | June 21, 2011 at 05:11 AM
But yay for Portland! Glad you got there safely.
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | June 21, 2011 at 05:11 AM
Love all your recent projects, Erin! The bags and skirt are perfect for summer!
I wish I was a better sewer, so I could attack that skirt!!
I know you're on hiatus, but just had to drop in...
LOVE your new header!!
Posted by: kristyn | June 22, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Is it also Anna Marie Horner fabric?
Posted by: Kelly | June 22, 2011 at 07:25 PM
what a delight to visit your blog...
Posted by: Bev | June 22, 2011 at 07:39 PM
Yes! I used some Little Folks voile.
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | June 22, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Thanks Kristyn! Hope you are having a great summer.
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | June 22, 2011 at 07:42 PM
I love your version in that voile! I've made two (one in AMH voile and one in some white pintuck cotton from JoAnn's) and they both get worn at least once a week--so I agree they are a wardrobe staple!
Posted by: Angie | June 23, 2011 at 06:24 AM
I love that look of that pattern, but to tell you the truth, the channels scare me. I have never made clothes for myself only me kids. Maybe I need to just bite the bullet...
Posted by: Amy | June 23, 2011 at 07:49 AM
LOVE this. and to Jodie, might make a maternity top too!! :>)
Posted by: Petersonmarye | June 23, 2011 at 04:03 PM
Super cute skirt!! Sounds like a nice vacation.
Ruth
Posted by: Ruth | June 23, 2011 at 07:51 PM
You seriously have the best pics for your blog banners!!
Posted by: Kelly O | June 24, 2011 at 05:27 PM
Looks great, Erin! I made one a couple months ago and have worn it often!
Posted by: Margaret | June 24, 2011 at 08:51 PM
@Beverly, I used an eyelet for the outer fabric and a light quilting cotton for the lining in mine. It was not as swishy as if I had used a voile or lawn, but it isn't too heavy to be comfortable. Depending on how dark the outer fabric is you could probably make the skirt w/o the lining.
Posted by: Margaret | June 24, 2011 at 08:52 PM
thanks! that made my day.
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | June 24, 2011 at 08:59 PM
I'd just add that eliminating the lining also eliminates the channels for the elastic. to make it work, you'd have to add to the length of your pieces and then fold them over towards the wrong side to form a wide waistband for the elastics.
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | June 24, 2011 at 09:01 PM
I love this skirt! I wear skirts every day and am becoming obsessed with finding skirts to make online. My problem is I haven't sewn since middle school and I don't own a sewing machine! I'm looking to buy an inexpensive sewing machine to make simple projects (like skirts..). Any suggestions on what to look for?
Posted by: Samantha | June 25, 2011 at 09:23 PM
Great skirt.
You could also shirr, instead on channeling elastic.
Just need some nice material to work with.
Posted by: Ruth | June 29, 2011 at 01:49 PM
Oh, I love your choice of material, Erin! Thanks for sharing the link... I think I'll be visiting the fabric store this weekend! :)
Posted by: Jenny | June 29, 2011 at 04:33 PM
I love that skirt! I'm heading over to her blog right now to find the pattern. It looks like a lovely and simple pattern to try. Thank you so much for sharing!
Posted by: Deon | July 06, 2011 at 08:04 AM
Oooooh you made one! I've had this bookmarked for a while now! Will have to try it now : )
Posted by: tori | August 20, 2011 at 09:48 PM