Birch Street Sprial Skirt Pattern

Donna, I think it looks that bad because a) they didn't press the final garment

For my Significant Birthday event (Sunday Dec 10 2006) I am making up something in a variety of periwinkle-colored fabrics. One of the patterns I'm considering is Simp 6261, "New Bias Swirl Skirt," which I picked up at a thrift. Each pattern piece is an arced shape like the lower half of the letter C. The one that looks terrible doesn't see to have enough width through the lower torso; mine appears better (on the envelope) because the arcs create a flare through the hips. In the revier's zipper photo you can see that the skirt is straight up & down at the waist; 6261 shows the zipper put in the same way, and it's on an angle.

(Mine is a size 12 and for a while I was musing about how to enlarge it a couple sizes. HAH! Just add a couple more panels!) The printed price is $1.25 and the dolls are shown in platform shoes. Those were the days. [studies fine print] (c)1973. I have not made up this pattern yet.

My sis has a similar pattern, and I know it's a different one because I remember the photo on the envelope (model garment is in B&W polka dots, reverse alternating panels). Give me a couple days and I can find that pattern number for ya. Graphics too if you need.

HTH

--Karen D.

Donna,

IMO, if ever the success of a pattern depended on selecting suitable fabric, this is a prime example. As you pointed out, taffeta...nnnnnnnnoooooooooooo.

I've never used this one, although have always wanted to. But a friend did make it in a soft rayon challis, and it looked smashing. Granted, she's tall and willowy and most everything looks good on her. ;)

Doreen in Alabama

Donna Gennick skrev:

I think the reviewer used fabrics that were unsuitable for this pattern. While I haven't made this precise skirt, I have made similar ones for years and have always used super-drapey fabrics.

OOOoooo!!! Synthetic taffeta BAD! (bangs head against wall) I speak from experience here since I made the bridesmaid's dress that I wore in my best friend's wedding from this type of fabric. GGgggggrrrr

Erin

Donna, I completely agree with everyone else; this pattern should never, ever be made from synthetic taffeta. Ick, ick, ick.

Also, it's unflattering because the figures it's worn on would look better if the skirt was slightly shorter. I've seen the designer wear this, and she looked smashing with the skirt just below the fullest part of the calf. It's a swingy style, and the swish of the flippy ends of the spirals depend on somewhere to swing. Having that down by the feet is okay, as long as that part is longer. The swing should begin closer to the knee to be really effective; having the length somewhere between the foot and the knee would make an enormous difference.

Karen Maslowski > I'm intrigued by the Birch Street Spiral Skirt pattern, and wondering if

I like the whole idea-------I have some drapey rib knit that might be just right for this.........I ordered it..........Will let you know when I make it up.

Thanks for your input, Karen. So, how can I tell if it will flatter me? I'm short, 5' 2", with a nearly "average" length torso and short legs. Also a little "hippier" than I would like to be, but I wear size 8 petite jeans. Is this a pattern that works better on tall, thin women?

Do you know if a similar design is available in one of the pattern catalogs at a fabric store? It would be easier for me than having to order the one from Birch Street. I tried looking online and didn't find anthing like it, but the Simplicit site wouldn't open for some reason.

D> Donna, I think it looks that bad because

Donna, I've never seen anything like this pattern anywhere else. Jasmine, the designer, is an engineer, which kind of explains why, I think. :)

It could look smashing on you, as long as you are very careful to make the length hit you just below the fullest part of your calf, as this is the most flattering length. And you will also need to pay attention to what is worn on top, to make sure the proportions work out for your figure. And of course it goes without saying that the fabric should be very drapey, like a washed rayon.

Best of luck!

Karen Maslowski > Thanks for your input, Karen. So, how can I tell if it will flatter me?

I would think a knit would grow after you make it, and since the pieces are off grain it might end up growing un-evenly. I would stick with a drapey woven.

Joy

Going by the photos on real people, it doesn't seem to look good on anybody. :D

I've been watching, and haven't seen spiral pieces anywhere! When I get the chance I'll post photos of my now-vintage pattern. Its silhouette is similar to a broomstick skirt. Would be easy to re-create (not as easy as a multi-tier gathered skirt) but you'd start with that C shape...

Oh, and I looked through sis's stash and did not find hers. Same era, though. She's never made up that one but when I mentioned the reverse polka dot alternating spirals, she knew exactly which pattern. (The two of us put together don't have half as many patterns as Kate, but it's funny how the pattern envelope images stay in your mind for ...decades.)

--Karen D.

Isn't it, though? There's a website that has old patterns (some from the

Karen Maslowski > it's

Oh, dear... You're being me again! ;P

Kwik Sew does one on an elastic waist: 3304. That might work better. I have a similar one but haven't used it yet... They recommend rayon and rayon mixes, crepe, challis... All soft drapy fabrics.

Don't they just! I have managed to let go feral several truly great patterns I wish I still had! One was a Vogue one for a slashed sleeve jacket (I used it for the red one in my wedding gallery - if anyone has either my copy or one they can let me have, send it! It'll get a loving home... )

Well, I have actually seen this skirt on living bodies, and it was attractive. Those photos are horrible, as the fabric and suitability are just so wrong.

Karen Maslowski > Veloise wrote:

Donna, I was just rereading your post and realized that you are built a lot like my oldest daughter.She's about your hight and wears jeans that are the same size. She lives in skirts of this type and always looks terrific. She wears them year round. It's just that she wears a little heavier fabric as the weather gets colder. The ones she wears are always drapy, unlike the one in the tutorial. She says they are cool in the hot weather and warm in the cold weather.One of the reasons she likes them is because she teaches first grade and sits on the floor a lot. She feels she can do that in the swirl skirts because she gets good body coverage while on the floor.I'm pretty sure hers skirts come just below her calf. She usually wears flat heeled shoes for comfort. She never looks dowdy. Juno

"Karen Maslowski" wrote There's a website that has old patterns (some from the

Karen - Is this the one?

That "Threadbare" site is a scream------thanks for posting it!!

It definitley isn't flattering in those pictures, I have never tried it, and I can't figure out how a person would put that together????

Michelle Giordano

That's it! Thanks so much. Some days you need a laugh, and this site certainly provides them.

Smil> "Karen Maslowski" wrote

That's sooo funny. The problem is I remember some of those patterns and knit pattern books. Oh G... I'm old. Juno