Wednesday, October 7, 2015

One Final Cotton... Then Velvet

The sole Halloween fabric I bought this season has now been turned into a skirt. I used my trusty Simplicity 2449. I trimmed the hem with orange grosgrain ribbon and black lace.

Then it was time to put on the ballpoint needles and sew some panne velvet! :D

I love the look of very long, flowing skirts, and I used to wear them frequently. Alas, they are a poor choice when one's job involves sitting in a wheeled office chair. After rolling over my skirt one too many times, I gave up wearing them to work. But I now have a height-adjustable desk at work, and I stand most of the day... so it's time for long skirts to make a comeback.

I used McCall's 6101, a costume pattern for a '50s "poodle" skirt -- basically a very long circle skirt. I made one in purple panne velvet.


And I made one in black panne velvet. I could not resist adding black lace at the hem on this one... even though I will almost certainly snag the lace on my boot buckles at some point. :P

In panne velvet, a circle skirt hangs deceptively straight. It's a very full skirt, though, with a lot of fabric. When I sit down... well, you can see why long, flowing skirts and office chairs don't mix. ;)

29 comments:

  1. Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!!! You're so talented and beautiful Bane!

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  2. I love the crushed velvet skirts! I also really enjoy seeing photos of you, you're so pretty :)

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    1. Aw, thanks! :) I'm trying to get more comfortable in front of the camera. I'm usually looking at the floor... but I'm no longer cropping my head off every picture, so that's progress! ;)

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    2. I agree with Natalie! I love seeing you in photos. I've been following you for so long that it's nice to see the creative person behind all those wonderful projects. And yes, you are really pretty! :) Your hair is always so damned perfect.

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    3. Thank you! That's so nice. :) I'm all about the ceramic flat iron and enormous quantities of conditioner. The arid climate here helps as well. Low humidity = no frizz. :D

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  3. Those velvet skirts are gorgeous! I have a black one also that drags on the floor like a victorian walking skirt. I love how you added the lace at the hem though!

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    1. Thanks so much! I may go back and add lace to the purple skirt as well. It almost feels unfinished without lace at the hem.

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  4. You look like an empress in the last picture, very regal and luxurious! Really pretty creations, I might make a velvet skirt with lace as well!

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    1. Thank you! My practical side loves panne velvet because it looks luxurious but is easy care and machine washable. Perfect for the empress who must do her own laundry. XD

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  5. Oh my GOTH those velvet skirts!
    Curse you, tropical weather, and your non-velvet-friendliness!!

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    1. Ha ha! Indeed! Of course, colder climates can also be non-velvet-friendly because the buildings are overheated. Very unfair to velvet!

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  6. You have officially made me miss cold weather... which I never thought would be possible. Heh.

    Perhaps it'll just get cold enough to justify a long skirt? But not too cold, hopefully...

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    1. Ha ha! I miss cold weather enough for the both of us. ;) Summer just won't let go this year.

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  7. Maybe you can made a petticoat to wear under this skirts.
    It's very easy, just very time and fabric consuming.
    Also you can buy one like this http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-100-High-Quality-A-Line-1-hoop-2-layer-Tulle-Wedding-Bridal-Petticoat-Underskirt/2051831931.html?spm=2114.01020208.3.39.kRglj3&ws_ab_test=201556_3,201527_2_71_72_73_74_75,201560_5 it's very cheap and surely it can be done in black if you ask them

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    1. I could. These skirts would accommodate a very large petticoat.

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  8. You are such a spooky queen! Love your outfits! <3

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  9. Those velvet skirts are absolutely *stunning*!

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  10. Bane, those long skirts are to die for and you wear them so well!

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