Friday, January 14, 2011

The Long Awaited Pencil Skirt

I finally finished my pencil skirt! If I could write done in fifteen languages I would, sadly though I have no multilingual skills. As I write this I am sitting at my computer wearing the skirt because I am so excited about having finally finished it I can't bear to take it off and return to my previous attire of jeans. The skirt is not without it's problems, the zipper is slightly wonky and the darts are just a bit uneven, but I am counting it a success. Finally seeing a finished, wearable ( I am wearing it regardless of it's problems) garment is definitely exciting and makes me want to sew, sew, and then sew so more. It was a lot of fun seeing it go from this...


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to this

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The pattern was McCalls 6038 and it was very easy to put together, even for a wannabe beginner like myself. Also, if you're wondering I made a size 16, obviously with no alterations because I  don't have any skills like that, yet. I know in the picture that the front appears all wrinkly but it really isn't, I just didn't have it pulled up as high in the front as in the back. ( I have no idea as to why I had it so uneven,.) The whole time I was cutting it out I kept looking at the pieces thinking, a 16? Really, I have to cut out a size 16?  Instead of a case of sticker shock I had a case of size shock. I just have to keep reminding myself that patterns and off the rack clothing have very different sizing and remind myself not to take a number quite so personally. Well, I am off to twirl around in my new skirt, despite the fact that it isn't twirly whatsoever.

2 comments:

  1. Congratulations! Isn't it a great feeling? Keep sewing as the more you sew, the better you will get.

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  2. *applause*
    Glad to hear this is inspiring even more. As for sizing, there really is a big difference between size you wear in retail versus pattern size.

    If it makes you feel any better, while I try on size 14 in bottoms at the store, I cut size 20 in patterns. It is what it is. No comment on tops though ... not with needing the FBA alteration here! If a blouse in the store fits my shoulders, I have no hope of buttoning it across my chest. If I can button it across my chest, it's 1-2 (retail) sizes too big elsewhere ...

    Once you start learning which alterations you should be doing, and how to do the right, you will be beyond thrilled with your results in terms of fit!

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