Vogue pattern help

Shorten the pattern in three places: mid thigh, knee, and mid calf: that way you only lose a proportional amount of the fishtail. You should only ever lop the length off a straight skirt at the hem, and even then it's usually easier to take it out further up if there's a kick pleat.

'v7937'&page=1. > It's the middle view, the gray one. I need to lengthen this by 10-12" > (depending on the shoes) to make it floor length. Do you think I would still > be able to walk in it if I lengthened it this much, if not, what kind of > adjustment should I make? Also, do Vogue run true to size? If my waist is > 27" and my hips 36 1/2" should the size 12 fit with very little adjustment? > I already bought the fabric because I found a perfect match at Vogue Fabrics > in Evanston (thanks to Wendy for that). I really have sewn quite a bit, but > for the past 10-15 years have stuck to mostly home dec, kids clothes, > costumes, etc. I will have to practice with that narrow rolled hem foot, > though, never could master it. Thanks for your advice. > > The effect of lengthening a style like that will make is disproportionate: you'll end up with just a tiny fishtail that may be lost on a long skirt. If you add to the hem, you'll end up with a giant train!

The trick is to lengthen it proportionally: add a bit above the knee, a bit just below the knee, and a bit half way down the fishtail. Make a toile to see if you get the effect needed, and to check yardage and layout - the longer fishtails will need more fabric and may need a radically different layout to get them all on!

I usually find Vogue are pretty good on size, but do make sure you buy the pattern according to measured inches.

'v7937'&page=1. > It's the middle view, the gray one. I need to lengthen this by > 10-12" (depending on the shoes) to make it floor length. Do you > think I would still be able to walk in it if I lengthened it this > much, if not, what kind of adjustment should I make?If you add length *at the hem*, and leave the flare starting at the back of the knee I think it would work. If you try to add length by slashing the pattern *above* the knee and adding 12", you would be fairly constricted, because all the flare area would be at the very bottom, and it would be quite narrow at the knee. How about suing Vogue 8076: has a long length included, but you'd have to alter for the waist. Or, how about Simplicity 4401? could use the front of view E and the back of view F, et voila!Beverly

Thanks for the advice. I really like the first Vogue one better, it is exactly like the original very expensive designer skirt, except for the length.

Of course my Joann's was out of that one. I may also buy the Simplicity and see if I can modify the Vogue to match the width of Simplicty ( those go on sale for $1.99 on Sunday.). Also, is it as easy to add a lining as it appears? The skirt I bought for the church is made the same way ( no waistband). The top is turned to the inside, grosgrain ribbon is sewn on, and the lining is attached to that.Cathi

The best way to check how much fullness in the lower hips for a floor-length model will be make up a muslin of somewhat the same weight of fabric you're using for the skirt. It may be fine as is, but if not, you can tweak it on the muslin to see what works. BTW, I like the pattern, having made it for a close friend to wear to an afternoon wedding last summer. I do very little sewing for others, but we've been close as sisters for 30+ years, and I didn't have the heart to say, "No" to this one time. She sews as well as I do, but had other obligations at the time, leaving no time to sew it. Emily

Yes, I was planning on making a muslin. Did you find the pattern ran true to size? I guess I'm somewhat preoccupied by the size thing because that's why I stopped sewing for myself - things didn't fit. I always had a problem with armholes being too small, and while I could easily adjust a jumper or something sleeveless, never quite figured out how to change the sleeve. I totally understand about sewing for a friend. I made 2 baby quilts for my very best friend and I wouldn't do it for anyone else. I also made her an upholtered headboard. I also had a friend ask me about how to make a pillow and it was much easier to say "here, let me do it" than to watch her mess it up. Thanks.

Cathi

I know the feeling of "let me do it", rather than watch someone mess it up. Emily

Cathi, Of course, to fit a skirt is quite different from fitting a blouse with sleeves, necklines, facings, etc, and my friend was easy to fit; if I recall, I just altered(expanded) the waistline a bit. Emily

It's a very fashionable shape at the moment. Very flattering too.

> Of course my Joann's was out of that one. I may also buy the Simplicity and > see if I can modify the Vogue to match the width of Simplicty ( those go on > sale for $1.99 on Sunday.). Also, is it as easy to add a lining as it > appears? The skirt I bought for the church is made the same way ( no > waistband). The top is turned to the inside, grosgrain ribbon is sewn on, > and the lining is attached to that.Buy curved Petersham rather than just grosgrain ribbon. It's shaped and much more substantial. I use it a lot. The waist of my floaty skirt I recently finished is done like this, as are the red and pink bridesmaids skirts on my website, which are a very similar shape to the one you want to make.

Thanks Kate. Never heard of petersham, but an internet search turned up several sources.

Cathi

Dear Cathi,

Petersham looks exactly like grosgrain ribbon, but the fiber content is rayon and cotton, so that it can be shaped. I use it all the time for hatbands. It can be found at any milliner's site. The fiber content is what makes the difference; polyester grosgrain can't be shaped as easily as petersham.

Teri

erinquill had written this in response to

:I tried lengthening a similar dress for my wedding (I was determined tomake my own dress as of a few months ago) but I think it might have beentoo ambitious of a project for me. When I got "done" I looked and, as theprevious commenter said, the proportions were all wrong. I finallyrealized I need to be modest here and accept I can't make something I'llbe happy in for my big day. I might just go around some stores on I find a very basic one I like, then embellish it. So if yours isn'tworking the way you want, and you still want a personal touch, I'd sayit's ok to compromise. Erin

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