Hot Patterns Sportive Skirt
This is a great skirt – it’s a short version of the HP Classix Nouveau Trouser Skirt, and is based on the same sloper. I really love the jacket too, and will probably make this up again as a suit in gray – a color that showed up quite a bit during Fall ‘07 Fashion Week - with a contrast lining on the hoodie.
This skirt is a 100% stash reduction project - I literally didn’t buy a thing; the fabric, thread, beads, lace, lining, interfacing, zipper - everything - came straight from my stash. That felt really good!We’re going to an Oscar party tonight, so I’ll wear this pretty much as you see it, with brown fishnets. Oops - I need to press the hem a little more - just noticed some ripples.
This time I thought I’d try a hand picked zipper. Lately I’ve been hand finishing my projects because for some reason it’s easier to get my brain around that than it is to do all the steps to machine finish every detail. The lining is hand fell stitched to the zipper tape – honestly, sometimes it’s just simpler to just do a bit of handing sewing instead of wrestling with it on a machine. Plus I like the smooth look of hand finishing. 
The top stitching works, but I’m not convinced the beading really does. On the first try I just had the seed beads, but it made the zipper look eerily like a chest surgery scar, which was a little freaky. So I added the bugle beads. So the beads may come off at some point. Maybe I’ll do the pick stitches in the same brown topstitching thread I’ve used on the seams.
The lace edging on the lining is something I’ve done before on skirt linings – a friend said it’s a sort of a fin de siècle look, and I like the hidden luxury. A more detailed review of the pattern itself is on PatternReview.
So – I really like this result, it’s a great Hot Pattern!
Tany said,
February 25, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Beautiful! I love the lace edging on the lining! I also prefer to hand finish most of my projects!
Gorgeous Things said,
February 25, 2007 at 10:07 pm
GORGEOUS!!! I love your skirt. I am still chucking about the surgical staples scar look. I’ve found that if you put the seed beads on top of sequins you don’t get that effect as much.
Lorna said,
February 25, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Very beautiful skirt and I really like the top stitching. I love your blouse as well … I am not a flouncy person, but this one appeals to me for some reason. Is this one from the “Diva Phyllis” label?
Maja said,
February 26, 2007 at 8:45 am
Beautiful skirt! I love the lace finish on the lining!
Summerset said,
February 26, 2007 at 9:00 pm
I love that color with the brown topstitching - very chic! Beautiful job.
I tend to do a lot of handfinishing. I actually don’t mind hand sewing.
Els said,
February 27, 2007 at 2:01 am
This skirt pattern suits you very well.
robyn said,
February 27, 2007 at 4:07 pm
I’m so with you on hand-finishing. Lately I find that I am actually craving projects that will use hand work!
A zillion thanks for the idea on the lace edging to the lining. I want that little luxury (and finish) for myself!
Carolyn said,
March 2, 2007 at 6:38 pm
I do this to dress linings as well as skirt linings and recently I even added lace to a pair of pants lining….it is such a kewl touch that only you and your drycleaners know about!
Gigi said,
March 6, 2007 at 11:29 pm
What a great outfit!
Debby said,
March 10, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Wow! I love the inside of the skirt. Does the pattern include lining directions. The finishing is great, but I have not taken my sewing up a notch. I love to make skirts, but I would like them to look like this, not like a throw-away garment from Target. Please advise. Debby
Kit said,
March 13, 2007 at 5:30 am
Hot! That top and skirt are perfect together. Love the lace detail and will have to ‘borrow’ that from you on my next lined project.
Thanks!
Nancy said,
March 18, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Great looking skirt, Phyllis. I agree that hand finishing just adds that special touch to garments. My mother always said, “You want your clothes to look handmade, not home-made” These are the details that make the difference. You might like the beading better if you used matching beads instead of contrasting, even though your topstitching is constrasting. Just a thought.