A little bit of sewing mojo has returned. This is my newest version of the Loes Hinse Tango Skirt that I made from some rayon I bought at Hancock's several months ago. I made View B again, this time in Small--and it fits!
I took my own advice this time and traced off an additional copy of the pattern for the skirt panel. With 10 identical panels, it's a chore to keep pinning, cutting, repinning, recutting, etc. etc. Having an extra copy helps a bit.
I took 2 5/8" off the length with this version. The current look in skirts is a bit shorter than it was a couple of years ago and this one looks much better at 30" vs. 34" in length. I took the excess length off at the waistband to preserve that lovely flare at the bottom of the skirt. Now that I know what length I like, I'll adjust the pattern pieces accordingly so I can have the right length from the get-go.
My only complaint is that it's a little tight in the waist. I used the length of elastic Loes recommends on the pattern guidesheet; I should have added at least an inch to that. But given her elastic waist technique, I'm not ripping it all out and starting again. If you're unfamiliar with Loes' patterns, she doesn't have you make a simple casing that you insert the elastic into. Oh no, her way is more industrial--you actually serge the elastic to the skirt's waist, fold it down, then sew that serged edge to the rest of the skirt with a straight stitch. It actually looks pretty good, but once it's in, it's in. So far, so good, though. I'm wearing the skirt at work today and even though the elastic is snug, it's OK to wear. I can breathe and I'm not fidgeting. Maybe the elastic will even relax a little bit more with wearing and washing.
2 comments:
Very nice! I use that elastic technique all the time because I hate traditional casings where the elastic usually ends up twisting. Next time, cut a length of elastic using your waist measurement plus 2-3 inches and pin it around your waist. Wear it for a little bit and make your final length adjustments after you're sure. Also, add an extra 1/4" to 1/2" to your desired length to account for the bulk of the fabric/turn of cloth if your test isn't done while wearing the actual garment-to-be-elasticized. Write down the elastic measurement for next time (even for a different pattern) because a full elastic waist will always settle into the same place on you. HTH and doesn't sound preachy. ;-)
Not preachy at all!
I actually like the LH technique and use it often. And I pretty much do it the same way you do...except this one time I didn't. Who knows why?
So all you folks at home, remember Debbie's instructions for the LH waistband technique. It definitely works better than an arbitrary number. Elastics do vary, depending on brand and age!
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