Not a Pattern Review: The Ruffle Knit Skirt a la Jaeng
This morning I got it into my head that I had to use my ruffle knit fabric to make a skirt just like the one Jaeng wore at PR Weekend in Chicago. Here’s her version which Karen snapped.
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Jaeng’s skirt, my inspiration was charcoal grey and her ruffles were wider, probably about 2 inches.
My fabric was black and my ruffles were probably less than inch wide. But they were still ruffles! I will not be showing any close up pictures of the skirt or it’s interior as my sewing was fast and slapdash. I mean embarassingly slapdash. I would be ashamed for you to see my stitching. And let’s just say that my skirt will be worn with a top over it at all times.
Construction notes:
- I used a 4 inch wide piece of elastic as my waist band. I just wrapped it around my waist and left seam allowances. I zigzagged over both edges to make a sturdy seam.
- Then I cut my ruffle knit one inch over my hip circumferance (1+ 40 = 41).
- I draped it against my body to determine the length and cut under one of the ruffles all the way across.
- I serged the right sides together to make the CB seam.
- I then joined the elastic waistband to the skirt by distributing the skirt width equally in four sections around the elastic.
- I sewed them together with a zigzag stitch holding the elastic taut in front and in back of the needle. Because I had to really stretch the elastic with both of my hands, it was really hard to control the stitches and the fabric, hence the slapdash appearance of the stitches.
I tried on my skirt and loved it! But there was just one thing wrong with it. It was a bit see through, despite the ruffle layers. The underlying knit was very see through. And, as I moved the ruffles would move, exposing the see through knit underneath. I definitely needed a lining to prevent scaring other people. So I cut a black knit lining about 19 inches long with the same 41 inches width and sewed it to the elastic right underneath the ruffle skirt. My lining stops right above the knee so the bottom of the skirt looks light and airy and the top of the skirt is modest. :)
Here’s how I wore it all day today.
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This skirt was very comfortable to wear. Super comfortable. It was so easy to make too. I highly recommend making your own. I wore it all over downtown this morning and while I didn’t get any unsolicitations, I could tell people really liked it. I think it’s a very flattering skirt. I felt tall and skinny wearing it. It has a kind of column effect on the body. Originally I thought my body would be too curvy for this look, but I don’t think that now. I really love this skirt. I wish I could wear it every day. Honest.
Now buy some ruffle knit and go make your own. Now!
This is F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C on you!!!! You are right…you do look tall and slim! Wow! I have the same fabric and I wonder if it could perform magic on me?! *LOL* And sometimes you just have to get down and dirty with the sewing!!!!
Your skirt looks so great! And I’m now thinking that I’ve got some similar material . . . somewhere! I wasn’t sure what I’d ever do with it, but now I may try making it into a Jaeng skirt!
It is beautiful!
cool!
where did you get the ruffle knit? is it from spandex house? i made kate a really sweet little tshirt with ruffle knit & that stuff is so much fun
LOVE IT! Your skirt turned out beautiful. I’ve got to find some of that fabric.
Looks great!
Great skirt! Maybe I’ll get some ruffle knit….
Wow Awesome job! It makes you look super-tall!
You look fantastic!
Love it! I just ordered my ruffle knit yesterday. I can’t wait to use your instructions to make mine.
A great skirt, it’s lovely on you, you indeed look very tall and slim.
I absolutely LOVE that skirt on you. So many options for tops – looks really versatile! Even better, it looks like a very forgiving pattern to sew. Truly, you are making me want to run down to my sewing room!
That looks completely awesome on you!
I have a similar fabric that I just wrapped around myself in a similar manner yesterday. Maybe a skirt or I’m debating a dress by starting the ruffles under bust and adding a bodice above. We’ll see.
That’s really flattering, and it’s so nice when something comes together easily like that! I like the contrast with the red top.
Oh wow, that is SO glamorous! So much style! And it looks like something that would take ages to make or a lot of dollars to buy!
What a fantastic skirt! I would never have thought of making a skirt out of a ruffle knit, but in a solid, conservative color it is really unique, comfortable I am sure , and super flattering on you.
That is a lovely glamorous skirt!
I read with interest the debate on the me-made thing. I’m a bit the opposite, since I love the outfit posts by accomplished seamstresses/seamsters.
I’m also interested in seeing new and inspiring shapes or colours in clothing, and new ways of combining pieces, and discovering new ways in which I could wear my own clothes.
I have no interest in step-by-step photographs of sewing procedures, so I don’t even look at these latter sorts of blogs. Since I’ve been sewing for thirty five years I don’t need tutorials on installing an invisible zip, or sew-alongs on making a very basic skirt or a pair of jeans. Although I’m always very interested in close-up detail shots of sewing finishes, or the immaculately finished interior of a garment…
Someone commented here that if you sew all your own clothes (which I do) then the me-made challenges are not a challenge. Well, I see their point; but is a different sort of challenge then, and it is still fun to get a chance to have a good play around in your own closet. I’m not too old to still enjoy a good dress-up!
That is so cute!! Tina Wong tweeted about the following source for ruffle fabric and I’ve been thinking about ordering some.
http://www.rufflefabric.com/
Your version definitely pushed me over the edge. Now I have to pick a color!!
That is a VERY flattering skirt on you! So “skinnifying”!
When you first mentioned that you were going to put ruffles on a skirt, I must admit I was worried that they might make you look bottom heavy, but they don’t at all! That narrower ruffle makes all the difference.
Love the skirt! Very flattering!
I just saw Carolyn’s version of your skirt; so of course I needed to come here. I would have never thought that a ruffle skirt could be slimming. I was very wrong. You do look tall and slim. I really should get me some ruffle knit fabric and give this a try.
Lovely skirt! I was inspired and made the black ruffle skirt as well as the gray la Jaeng skirt. Thanks for sharing.