I have 2dressy occasions coming up. One is a wedding in April and the other is a dinner our children are taking us to for our 50th anniversary. I don't want to wear the same outfit so much as the same style. I have a dislike for dresses but this is one time I'd rather not wear pants. I want a skirt that is soft and drapey without being as full as a full circle skirt. I'd like to wear a silk print in black and white or navy and something pretty. Would this pattern a skirt work. It's for a 6 gore skirt and I'd like it to come at least mid calf.
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will use Wild Ginger pattern maker to do the top in a solid. It will be their princes line top and most likely have petal sleeves. I'd like to use a silk for the top as well but I'm not sure what kind of silk is best for either the top or skirt.Juno
If you have the Wild Ginger software, why not use a skirt out of that? Especially if you have upgraded to the newest version.
In any case, whatever pattern you choose, if I were doing it I would try it out first in a material with a similar hand and drape but bought from the $1 or $2 a yard table.
I'd second this! I made a really fun tulip shaped skirt pattern with mine. Needs an insy-winsy bit of tweaking and then the toile will get finished off as a skirt!
I only have the Wild Ginger Click and Sew patterns for tops.I should have made that distinction. I never invested in the whole program because I so rarely wear anything but pants. RTW pants fit me well.If I need a skirt I draft it. It's an easy project.All this bring me back to my original question, which I will rephrase. What style skirt will look well in a soft drapey silk and what type of silk will work best for a soft drapey look. I will of course make a toile first to see how it looks. Wouldn't want to waste good fabric.The other thing is that I live in clothes that are very casual and very washable I'm not familiar with the different types of silk. I guess you can say I'm expanding my horizons. Thanks again, Juno
Here's an idea: hit the stores and see what cuts of skirts you can find, and the weights of goods they're made up in. Perhaps the better- stocked thrifts would have a wider selection.
I have a black silk skirt (just touched it last night so it's on my mind). Lighter silk, almost a blouse weight. Probably six gores. Nice drape, moves well (of course, I wear it to dances and as stage wear). Side seam pockets, mid-calf length. Probably cost $5 at a thrift. It's been washed many times (whoever writes those DRY CLEAN ONLY tags is in cahoots with the cleaning industry).
I think that skirt will look good in soft and drapey material, I like mine that way! And It's good for people with hips.....
I'm sure you know all this, but watch that pattern - use your own waist to hip measurement rather than 8", and I'd personally maybe squeeze a bit of extra room in the waistband and hips - there didn't seem to be any allowance for wearing ease.....
Can't advise as to type of silk. I'd have a wander round the fabric stores and see if any fabric took my eye.... There's any number of drapey things out there that aren't silk, and will look as posh.
Thanks Sarah, When I draft I always figure a bit extra for waist ease. Don't like waistbands so tight I can't breathe. I will also measure from my waist to my hips. Thanks for the reminder.Since this is such a special occasion for us, our anniversary,I want to look special and feel special. My children have spent a lot of time finding a date that's suitable to all and a restaurant that's really the best. We are looking forward to it. I'm planning now so that I have lots of time to find just the*right* fabric. I'm not as concerned about the wedding. I want to look nice but do have some nice things hanging in the closet. Juno
Good plan!! :) I think it would be a lovely skirt BTW. I like gored skirts, very feminine, and flattering to almost any body type.
Stay away from dupioni and shantung for this skirt. They would be too crisp and stiff. Although, a nice tailored blouse out of dupioni for the top half would be gorgeous. :) Acid washing will soften it a little and make it machine washable for the rest of its life. I did a blouse just like that for a pal of mine around Christmas time in '06. Looked great.
I think for the skirt it would be Gorgeous to find a print crepe de chine then line it with China silk (habotai.) The only drawback to that is it might be a little clingy. But some anti-static spray will usually take care of that. The drape on that would be sooooooo pretty. Again, I would acid wash (if it's not black; black tends to fade too much) just to soften. That's hot water in the washing machine with 3 cups white vinegar added. In the dryer till bone dry. Some of the China silk I've seen lately is so Crisp that I wouldn't think about using it for a lining or lingerie, etc. without this treatment first. (it's great when it's crisp for lining things like bodices, etc. just not flowing floaty stuff.)
Also, you might keep your eyes peeled for some nice rayon. Like a rayon challis. That can be Lovely to work with too. And the Bemberg rayons, are great for linings. (those can also be acid washed; the result is what my mother would call "wind pudding and air dip." Just really scrumptious feeling--very very close to acid washed China silk.)
If I spot anything that sounds like what you're looking for, I'll email you a link. :)
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