Wednesday, May 22, 2013

My Image Skirt- Wadder or Possibilities?

I just got skirt M1303 from the Spring/Summer issue of My Image to the point where I could try it on.  This is what it looks like on the model in the magazine.  You can also see the tiny tech drawing on the right hand side:


And here is what it looks like on me:


Now bear in mind, I'm probably half as tall and twice as wide as the model.  This is also a "muslin."  The waist band is not finished and neither is the hem.  You see, I'm just not sure this skirt is working, and I'm not going to bother with finishing it if I decide it's just not for me.

That's where you come in, tasteful readers.  Your opinions and suggestions are welcome.


This is really an ingenious little pattern.  It's very unique with it's draped front pockets that are cut all in one piece with the skirt front.  It's also surprisingly easy to put together- you just do a little bit of folding, and a little clip into the seam allowance on each side, and voila!  You have a skirt!

The back is a simple straight skirt with two darts and a vent.  I used an invisible zipper in the center back.

Ugh!  My interfacing has bubbled on my waistband!  But you can also see the two small pleats in the skirt front:


I cut a straight 46, going by the measurement chart in the magazine.  It should have been just right, but this skirt turned out a little bit big.  I have already nipped in about 1/2" on each side from the pocket edge to the top of the waist band and this thing is still hanging on my hips.  I really think I could stand to take it in from hem to waist, but I can't really do that because of the way the pocket is stitched into the side seam.

I used a beefy stretch poly crepe for this project.  It was left over from Burda 09-2011-131.  I thought it would have plenty of drape and show off the pockets well, but I think it might be a little bit too heavy for this.  My pockets tend to want to stick out like two big ears:


In this photo I've pushed the pockets down some.  Much better, don't you think:


The front of the skirt is also heavy- the weight of all that fabric is actually pulling the waist down in the front.  Going down a size might help.  If the waist band fit correctly, the skirt would hang better.

I'm really irritated.  I wanted this thing to fit.  And look cool.  And seeing the photos, I really like that bright pink with the black top.  But I just don't think it looks quite right.

So what say you?  Should I continue to tweak and see if I can make this work?  Should I scrap it and start over with a smaller size and different (lighter weight) fabric?  Or should I just stop now before I drive myself crazy with this?

12 comments:

Summer Flies said...

I like it but I think it should be on the knee, not over the knee. Proportionally this is the wrong length. I love the pink - it looks stunning.

Linda said...


I am wondering if it needs pulled up higher on your waist? It appears to sit higher on the model.....

Northlady said...

Love the bright pink, and the black top with it. Shortening it, as Summer Flies said, might be all that's needed. If more is needed, here's a suggestion that might work. I can't see enough of it to be sure how it's constructed. But can you separate the front and back down the side seam, turn the pockets into pleats, and have a straight skirt? Good luck! The fabric is too pretty to "wad" without a fight!

Linda L said...

My first thought was that it should be shorter, right above the knee or right at the knee. The back looks very nice fitting. I think the pockets are not working for you on this, northlady offered a good suggestion. Really great color for a skirt.

Linda L said...

Me again, where did you get your copy of the My Image pattern magazine. I have been looking for a source within USA and have not found one. I had ordered from Sew Baby before but she no longer offers this magazine. email me at lwl1951 at gmail dot com

Faye Lewis said...

Yes shorter would be a great look. The back looks really good.

Sarah Liz said...

It does need to be shorter and a little more fitted for your beautiful curves - I like the suggestion to make pockets here.

Anonymous said...

I'd try it shorter too. Love the colour!
-Sewingelle

Anonymous said...

To me it looks like it needs to be pulled up some and taken in, in the waist. I would also peg it a tad. I would pull it up and see if it looks better. It's a beautiful color. Good Luck

LinB said...

Oh, how disappointing! It looks as if it were fun to make. I've had to put aside several skirts in the past year that were beautiful in photos, that were cleverly designed, that were fun to make, that made me look like a clown when I wore them -- and not like a happy clown. I love this color on you, and the fabric seems to have the right drape. The shape is perhaps not the best right now. Were I you, I'd try pegging the skirt. The back-and-side silhouette seems to flare out too much at the bottom, in your side view photo. I agree with comments above that it looks too low on your waist right now. Length, to me, is about right, but you could go a little shorter.

Unknown said...

I can see I'm late to the party for comments but in any case mine are the same as above. I think raise the skirt to the natural waistline at the tummy button where you are narrowest, and this will create more of an hourglass figure effect. This will also make it a little shorter too. Love the colour and the back looks good, but bring it higher so the pockets/widest part are at the hips not thighs and I think it could look completely different.

Unknown said...

The color is great and I like the drapes very much (when they drape down). When I look closely the model is wearing the waist higher than you are wearing it on the pictures, and the hem just above her knee. So I think the skirt is too big and should be pulled up. I think it's gonna look great on you if you can make it smaller, the fabric and style are not the problem in my opinion, it's the size.