Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Inspired by Vivienne Westwood: Burda 08-2010-107

I love this skirt and want to wear it all the time.  It's everything that I love about sewing: instant gratification due to quick construction and good fit.  This skirt takes 2.5 hours to complete, from laying out the pattern to finishing the hem.  It has an elastic waistband, and I left the pockets out.  The decision to leave the pockets off wasn't so much a design decision as it was a wearing decision.  I've found that side seam pockets on skirts tend to gape open and I've been sewing them shut on other skirts.  I figured I would save the time of having to do that in the future.

The skirt is tapered and has a large overlap in the front.  When I saw the design in the magazine I was a bit unsure that this would be wearable because of the huge overlap -- I was sure it would turn into a shapeless mess.  My muslin proved me wrong and I went ahead with my Shetland wool from Fabricmart.

I shortened the skirt by 1" and think the length is still office suitable without being dowdy.  I want to wear this skirt every day!




Almost matched plaids.
Better matched plaids.


I cut the back on the bias, to try to match plaids and to avoid the coffin look.

Here is the inspiration in bright red tartan, the Vivienne West Cosmopolitana skirt.  As you can see, the back has deep pleats, but I didn't try to replicate them.

And there are pockets, as you can see in the photo on the left.  Below is the line drawing, which you can see is a pretty close approximation.
Burda 08-2010-107 line drawing

13 comments:

  1. That's so cute. Great job with the plaid.

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  2. That is a very cute skirt!
    Thanks for your comment on my wave-y welts; but I guess you didn't read the post. The welts are my own design and the original Burda pattern has no pocket and no welts. That's why you don't see them on the sample dress.

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  3. Thanks for the compliment and clarifying, Carolyn. I should remember to read and not get distracted by pretty pictures. :)

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  4. Isn't it great to make things that you love and want to war everyday! I love the bias cut plaid. Great pattern choice.

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  5. Your skirt is great. Way to go interpreting the trendy style. Love the plaid.

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  6. Great job - it looks very cute and I love the plaid and the way you have used it!

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  7. I absolutely love your new skirt. Plaid is such an interesting fabric to play with.

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  8. I love your skirt, very smart use of that Burda pattern and I prefer the non pleated back on yours to the VW original.

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  9. That's such an interesting skirt - it works brilliantly, especially (to my mind) without the pleats on the back.

    BTW I thought I was already following you - oops - but now I am!

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  10. Great work! You are kick starting my sewing mojo up!

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  11. I love this skirt. It looks great on you!

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  12. Love this skirt! And I am highly impressed with your bias plaid matching. For the bias, I don't think I would even attempt it.

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  13. Love the skirt - it looks fabulous! You are so talented :)

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