One of the great advantages of having daughters is that one has
suitable victims whom are forced to wear ones sewing output opportunities to try out patterns that might not be quite suitable for one's own age and figure. I must admit, that when I bought this Donna Karan pattern, I was intruiged by the construction of these pieces, but could not envisage myself wearing these lovely, but body conscious pieces. However, I don't like making things that no one wears. Its a conundrum.
So last weekend, when my younger daughter was visiting, she discussed with me an upcoming job interview and her need for a new skirt, I laid cunning plans. She had every intention of making herself a skirt.
I provided her with a few Burda magazines, and a pile of envelope patterns, and snuck Vogue 1259 into the pile.
I was quite unsurprised when this outfit took her fancy.
She, however, did some fast talking. This pattern, she pointed out, was rated Advanced, and she felt that her sewing skills were not quite up to it.
I glanced over the instructions and provided encouragement. No, she said, definitely Too Hard. So we came to an agreement. She would trace out the pattern for the skirt, and also for another skirt that she felt would be easier to sew, and I would sew up the Donna Karan skirt for her, whilst she sewed the more traditional straight skirt herself
Now dear readers, I have a confession. There is no way that this skirt is Advanced. One simply gathers two edges of the knit fabric, stabilizes one end, and sews the skirt into a tube, overlapping the unfinished, gathered edges. I used a cotton lycra medium weight knit. The only construction element with any trickiness at all is sewing the top of the tube without catching the underneath of the tube under the presser foot.
Then, you sew an elastic casing for the waist, and hem the skirt ( I used a coverstitch, which may have involved some wrestling with my machine). 30 minutes, maximum.
She is very pleased with the skirt. She didn't sew the other one for herself. Was I conned? Possibly...but it might be mutual.
I am very pleased that I was able to try out this pattern, and that she did all the tracing out (dull) and the cutting out (slightly less dull, but not my favourite part of sewing).
I'm impressed with the design of the piece, unlike many "designer" patterns, its not a run of the mill garment, but its unique elements are not bizzare. It looks terrific on a fit 18 year old, and is a wearable, versatile
garment.
It is an interesting design, and very, very easy to sew. The top might be another story!
