Sunday 4 September 2016

Bamboo Skirt


This skirt started life in a very different manner to what you see before you. I've had the fabric (a  drapey bamboo print viscose from Fabric Godmothernow sold out) squirrelled away for ages. If it looks familiar it's because I used the same fabric in red for my Sew Over It Pussybow Blouse. It worked perfectly for that project so I thought I'd use it to try out a shirtdress from Butterick (B6333). 

It turned out to be a very poor fabric choice for that particular pattern - the viscose was too drapey. Despite measuring all the pattern pieces carefully, the resulting dress was far too big and hung on me like a rag. Even after pinning it for a closer fit it felt like I was wearing some kind of glamorous dinner ladies overall! The dress was stuffed in a bag and forgotten about for most of the summer until I re-discovered it last week. I immediately knew I couldn't bear to waste such lovely fabric, so decided to see if I could hack it into something else instead.

The version of the shirtdress I originally intended to make was view C which has a narrow skirt with darts to the back, pleats to the front and inseam pockets. I really wanted to keep those skirt features so decided to turn the dress into a slim, drapey skirt instead. After removing the bodice and pinning the centre front together, I realised that I could actually get the skirt on and off without any openings. Aha! All I did then was to sew the front plackets closed and attach a wide elastic waistband to the top (I used my own Easy Elastic Waist Skirt tutorial for this). One finished skirt!


The only problem with the skirt is that you can't see any of the pleating details (or even the placket for that matter) amongst the bamboo print. I know it's there though! Because the print is so busy I can only really wear it with a plain top. Unless I'm feeling particularly brave of course, in which case I could pair it with my Pussy Bow Blouse and swan around in double bamboo! Needless to say I haven't tried this yet...



I think this skirt will be a great transitional garment for autumn: light and drapey for warm days yet smart enough to wear with tights and autumnal knitwear once the weather turns cooler. It's a shame the original pattern didn't work for me but sometimes it's easier to accept that and move on. I'm just pleased I managed to salvage such a chic little skirt out of the wreckage. Happy Sunday! x


34 comments:

  1. Beautiful fabric and skirt. Great save K xXx

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  2. You did well to salvage the fabric. It works very well as a skirt and looks smart.

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    1. Thank you, I'm so pleased to have saved the fabric! x

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  3. Your skirt is fab, what a great save!

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  4. Love the fabric. I often save my UFO's in the hope of finding some solution for them. Looks very modern.

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    1. Thank you, I'm pleasantly surprised it ended up looking so modern! x

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  5. Great outfit! You look so polished and classy without being overdressed.

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  6. I have to say, this is one of my favorite outfits on your blog (I have a couple of favorites including the other bamboo one)...the white line on the elastic, color match, and great bamboo fabric all add up (along with the red lipstick and nude pumps.

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    1. Thank you so much! It's one of those outfits that was almost accidental but I love the finished look! x

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  7. I spy the New Look blouse/t-shirt. I made (another) one this holiday too. Good save there Jane Jo x

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    1. When in doubt, reach for a New Look blouse! Haha, I've just made another one too! x

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  8. Love the skirt. The cut and style is gorgeous and I just love the fabric. Beautiful transitional piece. Cheers, Michele

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  9. A great save, Jane! The outfit looks lovely, very smart. I have just finished my second New Look top, this really is a fab pattern, as you have previously commented. Best wishes, Ann X

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    1. Thanks Ann! So pleased you like the New Look top, it really is a great pattern isn't it?! x

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  10. Lovely skirt! Great save, it looks lovely.

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  11. It's always so satisfying to rescue something from the ashes of a failed project! This looks lovely.

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    1. I know, VERY satisfying indeed! And thank you! x

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  12. Super skirt, it really works as a skirt and like the elastic, going to check out your tutorial as this could work on a dress that went wrong for me.

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    1. Luckily, the skirt already had some nice shaping to it, so the elastic just acts as a handy, flexible waistband! x

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  13. Well done for saving the fabric - I have a few UFOs lying about that I really need to try and salvage as well! I really love the elastic you used as well, with the white edging. Your skirt is lovely, and I bet its very comfortable too!

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    1. It is comfortable, especially the waistband! Salvaging UFOs isn't that difficult, it's actually drumming up the energy to tackle them that's the difficult part! x

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  14. Sometimes I get annoyed at myself for a fabric and pattern pairing error that I have a hard time returning to the scene of my crime. Nice save and great outfit.

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    1. Exactly! Especially if you've spent ages deciding on the pattern! Thanks Jane! x

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  15. Love love love that skirt. Looks gorgeous with the top too. I don't wear skirts anymore (don't really know why, haven't found one to suit my tastes I suppose) but I really like that one and looks like something I'd wear.

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  16. Lovely skirt; just shows what can be done with fabric that anyone has lying around. Sewing, although not as popular today as it was years ago can be a great skill that allows creativity, saves money especially when repairing items and can be relaxing.

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  17. Lovely dress. The style and color add interest. The fabric - just gorgeous! Lovely pattern making

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  18. I should say that your posts with pictures have always been great. Thank you for being so great. There is an essay writing, if you need paper to order.

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