SEWN: BAROQUE BROCADE LIBBY

Yay! I finally finished something this winter. It was looking doubtful but it happened!

 

May I introduce my "quick win", the Libby skirt.

Have you ever been in a crafting funk where nothing seems to grab you for long and when something does grab you it simply does not move at a pace that keeps you really engaged? I've been in one of those. This year has shaped up to be incredibly demanding, and has left so very little time for anything extraneous at all. And as much as we'd all like to think sewing and knitting are not extraneous, the reality is sometimes they truly are.

My knitting progress has ground almost to a halt. Knitting takes time dudes. Serious time. Hours daily I just don't have anymore.

But then a few little things happened that propelled me forward.

1. I saw Rachel's awesome Libby skirt and just had to have it. Sorry Rachel! I know this skirt isn't quite the same, but I loved yours so very much that it certainly comes close. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? I so hope you think so Rachel.

2. I spent a wonderful half hour or so at Tessuti in Surry Hills chatting with the very gorgeous and generous Colette. And it just made me feel all happy and energised. Thank you Colette!

I knew I was going to make the Libby skirt, I happened to be close to Surry Hills with a bizarrely free hour, and so I thought I'd check out my fabric options at Tessuti. I had black brocade on the brain. And what do you know?? Score!

A gorgeous black baroque brocade in a cotton/elastane/acrylic mix. It goes by the name Fleur de Noir and was clearly a popular fabric as there was hardly any left, and only at Surry Hills. It's very stretchy, and the awesomely free Libby is designed for wovens, but Colette gave me a tonne of sizing advice and assistance, suggesting sizing down to account for stretchy give.

I must admit I actually went against the advice and I'm unsure how it will stand up to stretching out with wear.

I ended up sizing according to my measurements: 8 at the waist and graded out to a "9" at the hip (ie between the 8 and 10) and the fit is spot on. The waist is a little big so it sits a little lower than it's supposed to, but I prefer it lower. I stabilised the waistline by sewing cotton tape into the seam allowance at the waistline of the skirt and also block interfacing the facing (this part is standard).

I lined the skirt with fire red bemsilk which is not stretchy and I figured this would help avoid the outer becoming distorted. I've never lined a skirt before and Colette suggested I attach the lining to the waistband facing, but in the end I sandwiched it between the facing and outer skirt at the waistline. I simply pleated out the excess where the back darts are and it all fit beautifully. Love the feel of a lined skirt. I'm going to line everything now.

The fabric is verrrrrryyyyyy thick and with the skirt, facing, cotton tape and lining, turning the waistline and topstitching it was very difficult - it's seriously thick up there! Somehow it doesn't look bulky though - result!

I picked the mini version and super-mini'ed it! Too mini?? I removed a couple of inches in length and I'm hoping it doesn't make me look like a hoochimumma. Be nice everyone. I knew I'd wear this with flat boots and opaques and I think it works...

But it was soooooo bitchin' freezing with awesome gale force winds taking these photos that upon finishing I immediately changed into my trusty jeans, boots and jumper. I just can't get warm this winter. Anyone else feeling the same?

Freezing my ass off for the blog. Ahhhh the things we do.