The Skirt I Hate

Two years ago, when I was quite pregnant with Sawyer, I bought the Favorite Things Cute Skirt pattern. After all, it is very cute. It has taken two years for me to actually make it.

I like skirts. But, this skirt, I do not. It's huge. And, while it's not the fault of the pattern itself but probably the skirt-maker, I just don't like it. Allow me to explain.

First I should preface this by saying: Never (ever!) take your measurements after having a pit ham breakfast and then hitting the Chinese buffet for lunch. Big mistake. Because when you measure yourself after such feasts, assuredly, you will tend to be much larger than in actuality. Just believe me here. It's a valuable lesson.

So, I measure myself (over my clothes, too, another dumb mistake) and my waist was about 31" inches or so (hips 37" or so, over clothes), which would make me fall into the size 14 category according to my waist measurements. I have never been a 14 in my life. I usually wear 6's or 8's and an occasional 4. But, this is a new pattern and I don't know if this particular pattern runs large or small, so I cut out the 12, thinking I could squeeze into it, if I needed to.

It. Is. Huge. It makes me look huge.

I made it in time for the 4th of July because the fabric looks like fireworks or sparklers and it's red, white, and blue.

I couldn't get myself to wear it to an afternoon barbecue. I knew it would drive me nuts if I attempted. I had meant to wear it to watch the fireworks that night, but conveniently forgot. I did wear it to church on Sunday and I don't think I will ever wear it again. I look huge in that thing. And it's too bad because I really loved that fabric, too. I bought it a year ago and have not seen it anywhere since.

Other sewing notes: I lengthened the skirt by about 2 inches. Oh, and don't think you are taking a shortcut by folding over the fabric before you cut it. The pattern pieces are not symmetrical and you will end up with funky pieces that don't match up. Instead, take the time to cut out each of the eight panels individually. You will thank yourself later...

Comments

Sarah and Jack said…
Eh. You're pretty slim and it is doing something wierd around the hips.

Salvage the fabric for something else.

How is baby Sawyer's face?
Anonymous said…
It does look a little big but it is a cute pattern and the fabric is really cute. Couldn't you cut it apart and make it smaller? You probably wouldn't need to rip out your stitches since it is so much too big, just cut it apart close to the stitches. I did that with a pair of slacks not long ago and it worked fine. What do you think?
beki said…
I don't think it looks so bad, but this skirt does run big. I think I made mine at least 2 sizes smaller than the pattern back indicated.
Chara Michele said…
Can you cut it down & make it smaller? Patterns always drive me crazy, because so many of them run big. I almost always cut out a muslin when I use a new pattern, since more often than not I get frustrated with the sizing... Although cutting out a muslin is a pain too! :)
nikko said…
I agree. It does look a little weird around the waist and hips. Maybe you could take in each seam just a bit?
misschris said…
Can I just say I love that you are human? I have to say, it does look a bit wonky... and I'm not sure how you'd fix it. The fabric is darling, though... I see something for Spenser, maybe?? xoxo
Berber said…
I'm sorry for all the work you put in that skirt :(
Me and Him said…
I like the fabric. But it does seem to make you look wider across the hips than other skirts you've shown us.

Can you take it in? Or make it into something else?
Melody said…
Could it be the color of the fabric or they type of fabric that was used? Sometimes I will make something that looked great with a certain print and type of material and then I will make it with something else and it really looks pretty bad.

That is the only idea I could come up with. Love the fabric though.
Anonymous said…
I am so far behind on blog reading....

I have that pattern that I bought about 2 years ago. About a year ago I cut out a skirt... it is still waiting to be sewn. Should I not bother???? And that fabric is so seriously cute. Darn it.
utmommy said…
Sorry it didn't work out for you. I agree the fabric is darling, too bad the skirt ended up being weird.

I'm sure with your sewing abilities you could use the fabric for something else, or try to make the skirt smaller or something.

Good Luck!
Amanda Jean said…
shouldn't you be able to use the same fabric and make it smaller?
It does look a bit big round the waist and hips. Perhaps if you are really not going to wear it anymore, make it into something else like coasters?
hooli said…
I'm telling you, you're in the Patterns Hate Me Club.
I too thought I was a ladies size 14 once. So strange. I think you could alter it so way, couldn't you? Save that cute fabric.
Anonymous said…
oooo don't you just hate it when that happens! If you like the fabric so much, I'd unpick the waistband and re-sew each pannel narrower- using the previous sewing lines as edges. It's not sitting right on your hips so I think that might solve the problem.

Hope you had a good Sunday in spite of wearing it.
Anonymous said…
the first time i made the pattern, i loved it. then i made it again and i now hate it. hate it. the elastic casing in the back is pretty tricky, i think. by the time i made it to the comfortable size (the elastic) it made funny puckers and gathers - which makes for too much fabric where the waist meets the hips. i don't care how skinny you are - that's NEVER a good look. imo.

okay but that fabric is great!
FinnyKnits said…
Don't you think that fabric would make a great bag? I think so.

What an evil pattern.
Karyn said…
I will never ever have that problem. I've made ONE skirt in my life and never ever will again. Sorry you used such awesome fabric!!!! Can it be recycled??

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