As you can see, the zipper is in (perfectly too, and on the first try!), along with the lining. I thought all I had left to do was to hem it, but nooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
I tried it on and the lining is too tight. Like REALLY too tight. I can get it on OK, but Lord help me if I have to go to the bathroom and pull the bottom up. The skirt part fits great, though. So tomorrow after work and after my haircut, I'll be ripping and restitching the lining with smaller seam allowances. It shouldn't be this tight, so it's either fabric shrinkage from pressing or the one-piece front is a LOT smaller than the pieced-yoke front. I'll compare them tomorrow in between ripping. If the lining fabric did shrink, then stupid me for not prewashing it, right? At this point, I'm willing to just rip the lining out altogether if I have to, so it's best to wait until tomorrow to deal with it. I do have lining fabric left over if I need to get really desperate and piece in some gussets.
This photo just looks like a blob, but it's supposed to show you how I sewed the lining and skirt sideseams as one (after attaching facings/lining to each section), so that it's easier to take in down the road. Hah, joke's on me. This whole unit would lay flat but I had already attached the lining to the zipper so it's caught up on that when pulled apart like this. I think I'm going to sew ALL of my lined skirts this way from now on. It just seems easier and it turns out so neat and finished. Well, it will once the lining is fixed.
Hopefully I can get this all taken care of tomorrow night and still have time for outfit possibility pics. And I wish it was going to be about 10 degrees cooler on Friday. A wool skirt at 77 degrees may induce heatstroke. But I'll look good while I'm fainting.
What's that they say about 'best laid plans'? Will be interesting to learn 'why' when you have investigated.
ReplyDeleteOh don't you hate that! I had a skirt about six months ago where this happened. The lining was fully bagged too before I realised. Duh! Sewing smaller seams did the trick, but oh so annoying having to unpick after I had finished.
ReplyDeleteThat is one gorgeous zipper installation!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, thanks for the tip on sewing the lining and skirt as one in order to facilitate taking in later. I have the same problem: two consecutive skirt projects that I have lost weight out of the size range before completing the project (yes I have 2 kids under 2). Postpartum. My hips are just approaching my pre-preg size but my waist (9lb baby boy!)... and that's where taking in a lining and skirt are the hardest. Cheers. I was getting so frustrated that my hard-won sewing time was being 'sabotaged' by losing weight :)
ReplyDeleteGood looking zipper there. Once I read the threads article and sewed a skirt this way, I was in love with the technique. My weight tends to fluctuate a lot, and this method makes it so easy to alter.
ReplyDeleteYes the zipper looks great as does the skirt. I recently had a similar problem with the lining fabric for bridesmaid dresses and thank goodness I realized it on the first one. I DID prewash it but then it was too small after making the first bodice. I went to iron another piece to start over and WATCHED it shrink. Needless to say, I steam ironed the rest of the fabric before cutting and all was well.
ReplyDeleteI sew the majority of my skirts that way because my weight fluctuates so much. I even hem most of them before sewing the side seam. If not, I press open so it's still easy to adjust.
ReplyDeleteGreat zipper insertion and your houndstooth skirt is inspiring me to make one. I purchased some houndstooth fabric about a week ago and once I got it home, just stared at it not sure what to do with the 2 yards.
ReplyDeleteYou applied that zipper very very well and I'm sure you will end up with a lovely finish overall, looking forward to the finished project :)
ReplyDeleteI have a black & white RTW skirt from Coldwater creek that is more of a plaid than a houndstooth. I like that anything I pair with it looks great.
ReplyDeleteYours is looking great in spite of the lining shrinkage.
Love that great black and white fabric and terrific zipper detail. I hate linings for the same reason but am always glad when I finally get them to work. Sandra Betzina recommended sewing linings with half the dart width and 3/8 seams since the fabric has absolutely no give whatsoever versus most average fashion fabrics..
ReplyDeleteIf you were here, it would be somewhere between 27 and 37 on Friday. That would be much better for your wool skirt. You'll have to settle for looking good while fainting.
ReplyDeletePlease don't faint; SWOON instead....
ReplyDeleteAmazing Dresses But black leather jacket is awesome.
ReplyDeleteReflective Motorcycle Vests