Tuesday, January 10, 2012

The Most Boring Skirt in the Universe


Not a very exciting skirt.  But practical nonetheless.  

Apologies for the poor picture quality.  I've been playing around with my camera settings (and not getting anywhere btw).  I snapped these photos quickly the other day forgetting that I had it set for something else.  They came out pretty grainy but good enough for a post I suppose.   I also couldn't be bothered to move the ladder.  I made this skirt over the holiday break.  I actually made it specifically to go with the sweater, which is shorter than what I usually wear and has a fun little peplum.  I wanted a skirt that came up higher at the waist and ended at an in-between length.  Longer than knee length but shorter than a maxi.  I've seen some call it a "middy" length.  The jury is still out on the length though I have worn it a couple of times already.  It has the potential to be kind of frumpy.  I would only wear this length with boots.


Made entirely from stash fabrics, woo hoo!  I've got to sew through some of my stash this year.  I'm a little disgusted with how much I have accumulated.   The skirt and lining fabric are both thrift store finds.  I never find good fabric at my local thrift stores but a couple of months ago I hit the jackpot.  Obviously someone who sewed apparel donated their stash.  I scored all sorts of rayon, wool and lining fabrics.  The skirt fabric is some sort of wool suiting.  It smelled like a wet sheep when I washed it. The lining fabric is a mystery.  Its really soft and slippery and wrinkles like crazy.


While the skirt may be boring on the outside,  it's awfully lively on the inside!  I used my trusty self drafted a-line skirt pattern again.  I used a blue ribbon as waist facing.  The green lace on the lining was just because.   Makes me happy knowing that it's there even if no one ever sees it.  They were both leftover notions from other projects.   The band at the bottom of the skirt was originally going to be a ruffle.  I envisioned a very subtle ruffly flare but it came out super dowdy.  I think a circular ruffle was what I was looking for but there wasn't enough fabric.  So I took it off and attached it as a hem band instead.  And that's it.  The most boring skirt in the universe.  Except for the party on the inside.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the middy length- fun or frumpy?  It's definitely different than any other skirt I own.
Now excuse me while I go and plan some other stash busting projects...

20 comments:

  1. i love the middy length, especially like you said-- with boots. and yet i keep cutting my middy length off at the last step. but really, i like it.

    your party on the inside ROCKS.

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    1. Hey... I just noticed there is now a reply option... How exciting! Yay blogger!

      Thanks Oona!

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  2. No skirt with a deep hem (or is it a panel?) is boring! I think the length works with the boots for sure.

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  3. I also made a midi skirt, last year, and I always always wear it with boots. Footwear matters a lot with this length. And I do love your hem band. The seaming adds visual interest, and since its not a ruffle, its very clean and contemporary.

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    1. I think boots are key. I don't know what other sort of shoes I'd wear with something this length. And thanks!

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  4. Middy length skirts aren't for me, but I think this is the way to do it if you're going to. 50s dresses with middly length skirts just looks silly to me, like costumes, but this is much more modern. On me they just make me look even shorter.

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    1. I agree about full skirts and this length. In fact, I feel like I would like this skirt better if it were a bit tighter. I think you definitely need some height to wear a middy skirt, too.

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  5. The middy length is tricky, but I like the way you have worn it with knee high boots. I think that definitely works. It also looks good with your waist accentuating sweater.

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  6. I love the party on the inside! Pink and teal are such and awesome combination! Too bad nobody but you gets to see it... ;)
    I'm not a big fan of midi length, mostly because it really doesn't work with my short legs. The wide hem band makes it look interesting, though.

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    1. Thanks, Alessa! But the fact that I know it's there makes me happy. I do feel like the length chops me up a bit, but I'm on the tall side of average.

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  7. I agree with Crystal, the panel precludes this skirt from most boring status completely. I like the length with the boots---it can be a tricky one, but I think you pull it off just fine!

    I think a circular ruffle (I've seen it called a flounce) would work, but I like the panel as is. :)

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    1. Thank you Tanitisis!

      I really want to try a circular ruffle at some point, even though I'm not the super ruffly type.

      Ok, is that enough replying? :) I am really exciting about this new reply option on Blogger!

      Delete
  8. it's basic, not boring. And all those exciting, over the top, flamboyant garments we like to make, wouldn't work without basics or we would look rediculous. I love the inside, btw, but I have to agree with you that it looks a little bit wide. A slimmer silhuette would look more flattering imo. It would elongate the overall look and therefore I think the length wouldn't be an issue.

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  9. I am loving the hem! I am all for this skirt length, in fact I am planning a post on skirt lengths, I find the topic fascinating! Good job using from the stash, and the inside? Love it!

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  10. I like the panel, too! The skirt is lovely and I do like the length which, I think, adds to the interest level.

    If all our garments were exciting, we'd look like clowns.

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  11. You're rocking that skirt in those boots. The hem band definitely shifts it out of the 'boring' category. I imagine it will be a nice warm piece for winter.

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  12. I too think its a complete hit- it looks like you say, warm, practical for winter but with the turn up is really quirky. Inside party- love it!! As for non boot options, I've been watching house of Eliot and downton abbey and could see it with some thick stockings, and mid heeled Mary Janes !

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  13. Wow! It's so so so pretty on the inside!

    I like it. I wear frump lengths. Sometimes I look suuuuuper dorky, sometimes I think I look awesome. I think a lot of it is down to what you wear it with and how you carry yourself...

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  14. What they said :)
    I think it depends on your associations... for me this length is all about hiding my body and not being noticed. I really regret wearing this length when I was young enough to wear mini skirts and shorts, so I am making up for it now and my hemline is rising as I get older!

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