I am consuming the fabrics that I bought on the meeting trip, one by one, from top to bottom of the pile. I made a skirt in this peppermint blue fabric which probably consisted of wool/something synthetic blend.
I thought this was an ideal fabric for a skirt when I bought, since it was soft, and seemed creating beautiful drapes. To say more, I found that any crease could not stay after the hardest grasp in my hand, even for a moment. It just seemed so suitable for a skirt (at that time).
Oh yes it is Crease-Less!
The worst part of everything about it was that I didn't remember that ironing this fabric would be a nightmare. Crease-less means no-neat-pressing when sewing, how can I forget it?
Anyhow I forgot it.
It was so quick to have this skirt almost done, but I had to have long 3 days of thinking about the relationship between a clean hem and the character of creaselessness.
I did almost everything that I could imagine, but it was very difficult to get a nice hem on this skirt because I couldn't press. The fabric was completely ironing-resistant. It also hated invisible hand stitching. It frayed soon after cutting. It disfavored the heaviness of a facings on its hemline. I had no hope on hemming it!
I then went for looking for a matching braid for the hem. I couldn't find anything nice.
Said that, I now have a solution as you see. I'm happy with what I did!
I ended up with 1) overlocking the raw edge of its hem, 2) putting a narrow tape which was cut in bias in the same fabric onto slightly lower but almost over the hemline, 3) double stitching the tape onto the skirt, 4) and loosening the edges of the tape to give it a "fringe look".
I didn't need hand stitching, ironing, or facing. I got a look.
Best ending I could imagine!
*phew*
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pattern: TAMANEGI-KOBO Gemma (skirt, PDF pattern)
fabric: wool/polyester(?)/viscose(?) woven, soft, tweed-y, crease-less in peppermint/blue.
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Good solution. I think the skirt turned out lovely. And that colour is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat's a very pretty skirt. I call it "ice blue". Love the fringed hem.
ReplyDeleteThe fringed hem is a great idea, imho -- it looks cool & it works. No one has to know it was not just a design inspiration (my first thought). :-)
ReplyDeleteBeth
I love the model and the color you chose. It looks very soft.
ReplyDeleteGreat solution! I'll put that one in my mental library for my next "won't behave for the iron" project.
ReplyDeleteThat's very clever! I might steal your idea for my next not-necessarily-crease-less projects! :D
ReplyDeleteJust Absolutely FABULOUS - if you don't mind posting what pattern is the skirt.
ReplyDeleteLovely skirt!! The fringed hem is very creative.
ReplyDeleteYour skirt turned out wonderfully. What a great "make it work" moment with the fringe treatment.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant AND adorable! Way to go for sticking in there and eventually coming up with something that not only works but really makes this garment one of a kind. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful skirt! And your zipper insertion is impeccable! What is your secret? Most of us struggle with having a bubble at the bottom of the zipper.
ReplyDeleteKaren K
So cute! I love what you created with this fabric. The zipper and buttons are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI think the hem treatment you used actually took this skirt from something ho-hum, to something really special. Love it!!
ReplyDeletethat is one super duper cute skirt. and i love the shoes you paired it with, too!
ReplyDeleteHow clever! Beautiful skirt.
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant way to handle the hem! The skirt has turned out beautifully!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome and fashionable fix. I love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments!
ReplyDeleteAmy, the pattern I used is the one called Gemma, from TAMANEGI-KOBO (please follow the link above). Karen, I guess I don't have any big secret of it... I usually baste(fix) a zipper on the skirt with ironing hemming tapes (I hope you know what I mean) onto the closed side seam before sewing, then open the side seam carefully with a ripper, and sew using a foot for zippers. As the zipper is fixed by the glue, it inserts correctly, normally. I hope it helps!
SCRUMPTIOUS! i love the trim and will be stealing your idea! heheheheheheheh...
ReplyDeleteYour skirt is gorgeous and, as usual, beautifully finished... I think your hem solution is genius, and I'm filing it away for future reference!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful skirt!! I just love how you managed to fray the edges since you couldn't hem them. You didn't do the standard fraying, though. You put the bias piece and have that extra little oomph there. Very, very neat!
ReplyDeleteYay, a cute skirt! especially with the cute detail at the bottom of the skirt! Nice job.
ReplyDeleteI love your solution for the hem- beautiful job!
ReplyDeleteActually, your improvised hemline is my favorite part! "Necessity is the mother of invention" must be a classic quote for a reason! Lovely job!
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