Thursday, August 18, 2011

Back To School Skirt

Oh boy, am I tired.  I've been back to school for a few days now.  I love the beginning of the year.  Everyone is so excited (including me!) and the year is a blank slate, totally fresh and new.  But let me say this again-- man, am I tired.  You fellow teachers out there know what I'm talking about.


I used my self-drafted a-line skirt pattern block extraordinaire to make this back to school skirt.  But it's not an a-line.  I straightened the side seams to make a pencil skirt.  In fact, it's slightly pegged.  The hem circumference is just a tiny bit smaller than the hip circumference.  I usually avoid pencil skirts because I'm bigger on the bottom.  I've always heard that a-line skirts are more flattering for pear shaped gals.  But this skirt may have changed my mind.  I actually think it's one of the more flattering skirts I have in my closet now.  Maybe the print helps masquerade, but I think the back view looks pretty good.  Proof that great fit is worth it.  Makes all the difference.  I've had such great results with my self drafted skirt pattern that I'm convinced making my own trouser pattern is the way to go.  That will be a project for this fall.  I desperately need some pants.


 Had to put my glasses on for the teacher photos.  I used a leftover bit of quilting cotton from the quilt of doom. I blogged about my unfinished quilt almost a year ago---  it's still just quilt top.  Still unfinished.  (Hold me accountable, people!  Make me finish it.)
Not much else to say about it.  It was quick and easy.   I underlined the quilting cotton with a layer of cotton broadcloth.  I like the way the extra layer of cotton makes the whole skirt feel like a heavier twill.   I used a grosgrain ribbon as a waist facing.   Great skirt.  All there is to it.


Wishing everyone a fabulous school year!
It's nine o'clock and I'm going to bed.


15 comments:

  1. The skirt looks great and fits really perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  2. oh my god... in that second picture, you have such a teacher's look on your face-- that look that says, i hear your excuse, and it is only barely passable. as i am exhausted, it will suffice.

    the skirt, however, is awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The print is just lovely. I like it a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  4. beautiful, a good pencil skirt is wildly under-rated. girls want those awful knit tubes that cost 45 cents to make, they need to take a leaf from your book!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great outfit. The colour combo looks fabulous. I'm sure that print will hide any accidental paint splatters too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oona-- Yes, your teachers ALWAYS knew what was really going on. You learn to pick your battles, though ;)

    Thanks, molly, katherine h, and Katarina!

    grant ashley- I totally agree with you that the pencil skirt is underrated. I want to make another.

    Bernice- My thoughts exactly! Everything I own ends up with paint on it somewhere.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is lovely! And you're awesome---"A really simple skirt---just custom drafted, fully underlined, with a grosgrain ribbon facing..." ;)

    I always love how pencil skirts look on other people. I haven't really mastered them on myself, sadly...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great skirt - definitely an A+!
    I love the colours in your skirt too, some of those quilting cottons have gorgeous prints for clothes.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your wonderful new skirt definitely passes the test and puts you in the well-dressed class! Best wishes for a successful new school year.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hope your year goes well. I defintely understand the intense fatigue you are feeling. My dog once barked in my face several times while my family tried to wake me for dinner on the first Friday after school began. I didn't wake for several hours. Beautiful skirt!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's an A+ from me too.. a cute print and a great fit. All the best for a successful school year and a great class of children!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love the idea of underlining the quilting cotton with broadcloth. It is a fabulous print, and the fit looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great skirt . looks really good with your dotty shirt. It is very flattering as you say! Now you asked for this one - if your skirt looks that good imagine what your quilt would be like !

    ReplyDelete
  14. Very nice, you did such a great job drafting that skirt! Love the print too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. YES! Janine, thank you. Make me feel guilty. Guilt me in to finishing it, PLEASE. All that pretty fabric sitting on a shelf....
    :)

    ReplyDelete