Sunday, April 17, 2011

The "I'm a Dum***s" Skirt

The name of this skirt will forever in my mind be, "I'm a dumb**s."

I made a skirt from this fabric 3 years ago for my daughter, who was then entering law school (and will graduate in 4 weeks). Why I bought 3 yards for a 109 pound girl I just can't remember. But I always loved the color, and finally got around to making myself a skirt from the same fabric - thanks, Faye!

My husband calls this color "wild turkey". It's a long story, going back to the formica on the walls when we moved into this house. He commented that this skirt came out gorgeous, with an outstanding finish.

Now, why I'm a dumb**s: I used this pattern, which I've had for years, and decided that I'm much chunkier than when I bought the pattern, about 15 years ago. So I added 4" total to the skirt, and made it up without ever trying it on. To be fair, I don't usually use this view for this pattern, so maybe I had a right to be confused. But, really? 4" off? What a dumb**s. I stomped about, hollering HBO words for a few minutes. Then I ripped off the waist facing, took 3/4" more off each side seam (for a total of 3" off), and then another 1/4" off because it was still too big. So what should have been a 2 hour skirt was closer to 4 hours.

I'm really glad I learned to do a lapped zipper installation. It hides the zipper really nicely. The zipper I had was miles away from a match (this is the truest representation of the skirt's color).
So, skirt #1 is finally done! I cut a plaid skirt on the bias yesterday, and let it hang overnight. I'm getting ready to start that one now. And this time, I will remember to try it on!

11 comments:

Al Penwasser said...

"HBO words" That's pretty funny!
I usually call them "Anglo-Saxon expressions of goodwill."
I thought the skirt looked great, by the way.

SissySees said...

Love the skirt, but do tell about that paisley lurking in the top of the last photo...

Linda said...

Nicely done.....You do a nice zipper......me.....not so much!

Jennifer said...

Green with envy!

KID, MD said...

Cute! That fabric is pretty.

gMarie said...

I thought I recognized that pattern! I have some pink twill ready to cut into that skirt - that's the view I use most often.

For what it's worth - I've done that exact thing the last 2 times I've made that skirt - so very frustrating. And we thought we'd never use math in real life again - didn't we?!

The skirt is adorable - be kind. g

~~louise~~ said...

Teach me to sew Marjie, please...while I'm in Idaho, I plan on getting Tabi registered for some kind of sewing class. We need at least one seamstress in the family:)

I LOVE the skirt too especially since it comes with a tale.

Big Congrats on your daughter graduating. How proud you must be.

Thanks for sharing...

Diane said...

LOL. at least you got there in the end!! I love that colour. Diane

The Blonde Duck said...

Please. I'm begging you. Make me an Princess Aurora dress. I will pay.

Sue said...

Don't you just love when you try a shortcut that turns out to take three times as long? Been there, done that.
Sue

Lapdog Creations said...

LOL at "HBO words!" Love the skirt though...