Megan Neilsen Kelly Skirt....Take Two

 
After mixed results with my previous version, I could have thrown my hands up in disgust but, oh no, I wasn't going to let this pattern beat me so I thought I would give it another go.  This time I chose my intended fabric, a beautiful piece of stretch cotton sateen with a lovely spring like tulip print.  Making up this skirt in fabric I adore was a risk, I know but I backed myself that I would actually beat this pattern.  This time, as with the last, I added about 3cm to the length and slimmed down the waistband.  I then made the back pleats a little smaller and the front a little wider in an attempt to pull the side seam around to my actual side.  I actually believe I achieved it (patting myself on the back).  Because the fabric is stretch, the fabric did throw another problem at me, in the way of an unsightly horizontal pleat just under the waistband at the back.  I put this down to both the stretchiness of the fabric and my sway back, that is what I am assuming anyway.
 
I have developed quite a close relationship with my seam ripper this week and this skirt wasn't immune.  I had to unpick the finished waistband between the back pleats and push some of the excess fabric into the waistband in a somewhat banana shape before top stitching it closed.  This seemed to help but I still need to wear the skirt quite high on my waist to avoid all traces of the dreaded pleat. 
 
 
 
I put my issues with this skirt down to the difference in measurement between my waist and my hips.  I could be wrong, but given that this pattern is really only a series of rectangles and near impossible to get wrong, I am picking that this pattern is actually best suited to a less curvy shape. 
 

I actually really like my new skirt.  I love the fabric, I love the buttons and I love how easy this skirt is to wear.  I also love how easily my new sewing machine whipped through the six buttonholes on this skirt without missing a beat. What I don't love is the slight pleat at my waist (which for the record I couldn't photograph clearly or I would have posted it).  It is a good thing that the pleat is at the back so I don't have to look at it. 

They say you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you meet your prince and while this pattern isn't quite a frog, I think it will be relegated to the place where all of my less princely patterns go and that is Trademe.
 

Comments

  1. It does look lovely. I was only thinking the other day, if this was RTW would it bother me so much? I wonder whether we are sometimes overly harsh on our own makes

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    1. I was wondering the same thing myself and I came to the conclusion that no, I don't think I would be that picky because it is beyond my control.

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  2. Looks fabulous! Great job adjusting the fit of this pattern to your liking. I love the button and fabric combination as well.

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    1. With only one shop to really buy buttons in where I live, I couldn't believe my luck when I found these buttons. It was meant to be!

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  3. I think this skirt suits you so I think you have definitely beaten this pattern ! The fabric looks lovely - interesting colour combinations . The buttons look hand-carved as well .

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    1. Actually the buttons are only plastic but the do look carved don't they! I think I have beaten this pattern, thank goodness!

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  4. I love your combination of fabric and buttons :)
    I have been reading about your fitting issues with interest as I had a major tantrum at the Kelly this weekend when I tried to make it out of heavier fabric. I am quite skinny but it made me look like I was expecting triplets - oops!

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    1. I know what you mean by the fullness. I think the results with this skirt may well be down to the fabric chosen.

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  5. I think your skirt looks great - much better that reading about it would indicate! I know we are our own worst critics, but this is truely lovely. I agree on the waistband and think I will make my next one narrower too as I am also height challenged. Mine used a fabric with a slight stretch too but it seems to work, it is a heavy stretch cotton. My only issue is the creases I get just under the waistband on the sides, because the finished garment has straight seams and I have hips - I may curve the side seams for the next one too.

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  6. Thank you and yes I am quite happy with it but don't love it. I think I too will shape it next time.

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