Monday, March 29, 2010

Mini Wardrobe - Hot Patterns Deco Vibe Flippy Skirt

Item two of the four needed for the mini wardrobe. The review is here if you are interested in reading it (it has the same photos as here, so don't bother clicking on all the links).

In summary, I think this is a lovely little skirt and I think I will wear it a lot and I really think I will be making more of these! As well as being cute, it is comfortable and easy to wear.

The front - I do think it fits me better than Diana (I still really need to spend some time making Diana resemble me a little closer!)


The side showing the nice lines of this skirt.

The back - the top stitching was done with regular thread using a triple stitch.

The zipper - as the fabric is so thick the top of the zip is isn't finished as crisply as I would normally like, but I think that is just part of using the double knit fabric. However saying that I really liked working with the double knit and will use it much more now. Making the seams match through the zip was tricky. I basted, marked it and sewed it many times with no luck, so remembered that I had recently received some Wonder tape from an American friend, so used that. It worked! It does seem a bit gummy on the needle though so I am not a huge fan and will probably only use it as a last resort.

I used Bemberg rayon lining which I interfaced to make the inner yoke piece. I also added my usual tab instead of a hook and eye. However I didn't think it through and should have put it the other way as I naturally reach to undo it the other way. Next time...

I also covered the end of the zip with a piece of the lining fabric.

I twin-needled the hem using Steam a Seam lite 2 and the tips form Sandra Betzina's Vogue 2980. Basically apply the Steam a seam, use woolly nylon in the bobbin (hand wound) and loosen the top tension by 2. I was very happy with the hem finish.

As before the modeled by me photo shoot is to come...

11 comments:

  1. That is one great looking skirt. I love the shape of the seams, and that bold yellow lining. Nice!

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  2. Love the skirt and the lining. I don't have this pattern yet, but I really like the lines of it.

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  3. Lovely skirt with really nice lines. I have that pattern but yet to make it up. Now I will have to after seeing yours.

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  4. Really nice skirt. Your twin needle topstitching looks great; I use the same technique when using twin needles, I find that it works well (without tunneling)in the heavier weight knits,like double knits.

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  5. Terrific skirt. Nice design lines.

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  6. Very cute skirt and the design lines really make this skirt work!

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  7. Great looking skirt, some nice matching there on the zipper and side seams.

    Thanks for the tip about the hems. I have always used hem webbing to stop them from skipping out but I do have steam a seam so it's always good to have options.

    Annette from the Bernina shop told me to loosen off the tension as well but on a Bernina you can alter that machine balance dial and if you do then apparently it also stops the funneling on knit hems. I haven't tried it yet, but you hem is lovely and flat so I'm thinking wooly nylon must have the same kind of effect.

    Really looking forward to seeing all your items on you and ready to go!

    I like that hot pattern too but the shipping and cost makes it more than this tight wad will spend ..$40 for the pattern alone. YIKES!

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  8. I love the skirt, it is great.You did a wonderful job!

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  9. Great skirt and agree that the design lines make the skirt pop.

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  10. Your skirt looks great! I was on the fence about picking up this pattern, but I really love how yours turned out. Great work!

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  11. I love your skirt - inside and out! The lines look neat - can't wait to see it on you!

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Love to hear what you think...