Wednesday, October 20, 2021

A Basic Black Skirt

In a fabric store, I always head straight for the prints.  Solid colors may be excellent wardrobe builders, but I have a heck of a time getting excited about working with them.

However, on a recent trip to Joanns, there was a great sale on the denim section.  This black fabric has a satin weave, so I don't really think of it as denim, exactly, but it is definitely a bottom weight.  And it occurred to me that a black cotton skirt would come in handy.

I have made this pattern quite a few times, and I know that I like the result.

One lapped zipper and a few seams later, and I had a basic wardrobe staple.

For an extra bit of fun, I decided to add a shaped waistband from the Stanwyck Skirt pattern.

And it's always a good idea to add a bit of boning to a wide waistband so it doesn't immediately fold in half when it is worn.

It doesn't take much extra effort, and it makes such a difference for me!  Interfacing alone does not have the same effect.

A couple of ribbon hangers were also added.  Because skirt hangers are annoying!!

So I guess it takes a great sale on a solid colored fabric to tempt me.

I also suspect the lovely sheen from the satin weave of this cotton is another reason that I managed to move forward with this particular project.

And where are all of the textured fabrics in solid colors hiding, I would like to know!  Because I could get behind a jewel toned textured solid for any number of dress designs.

At the end of the day, I am glad that a basic black skirt has been added to the wardrobe.

This has been a very useful piece this year, and assuming the fabric wears nicely, I suspect it will continue to be.  And now I am wondering if this particular textile comes in any other colors!

5 comments:

  1. It will quietly show up at the office, gatherings with family and friends, to a quiet luncheon with an acquaintance.

    It will smartly swirl as you turn to be seated - eyes will glance.

    It will showcase your shins and shoes.

    It will stand guard about that curiously small waistline you maintain.

    It will make countless others scour racks and on-line purveyors for "That skirt this women was wearing yesterday at the museum/concert/carryout joint/crossing a street."

    You make continue to make art of sale goods. Something from next-to-nothing, and it is most impressive.

    Can a request be submitted for a photo-shoot in the wild? On the streets of San Francisco? At a wharf? In line at a trailer that serves the best tacos in Petaluma (or is that too far?), something where you are with "the public" or on empty sidewalks you've never featured before. Kindly give the bench a rest.

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  2. Has hecho una buena elección comprando ése tejido.
    La falda ha quedado bien bonita y la cintura es perfecta. BESICOS.

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  4. I love the invisible efforts you put into these garments. Yes, the boning will make a difference down the line, and add a lot of life to a simple enough skirt. Mostly I have to thank you for the continual reminder that handsewing a zipper (at least thread basting it in) is the only way to go. My zipper game is 1000% better because of you.

    Textured solids are hard to find, hard to properly scout online, and a joy to fold into the wardrobe. I need a pair of mustard jeans in my drawer, and I am able to dye a nice textured fabric to become those mustard jeans. Just looking for something with that...well, I don't have to explain it to you.

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    1. I often feel like a failure because I don't feel confident enough to machine stitch a zipper. But I feel so comfortable with hand sewing, the basting is almost fun, so it's become a habit. And when I first figured out that it was possible to hand sewing the finished zipper seam, I never really looked back!

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