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Sunday, April 3, 2011

Vogue 1248 - AKO Skirt

The summer Vogues came out last week and my order arrived a few days ago (thanks to the BMV sale). One of the patterns I purchased was this AKO ensemble. I just love this skirt, especially the giant draped pockets and the shirt cuffs on the ends of the giant bow. As designed, it would look best on the tiny waisted, but I made a few modifications so that it would work for me. Unfortunately, I could not see a feasible way to preserve the shirt cuff ties for my version, but that's ok.

Materials:

  • Dark Navy Vera Wang Triacetate/Cupro Rayon Crepe from FabricMart. This fabric is basically a rayon crepe. It ravels like crazy and is extremely slippery but has a very nice drape, which is what I wanted for the pockets. It is such a dark navy that I thought it was black until well into the project. It came out nicely after throwing it into the washer and dryer. I used self fabric for the lining.
  • 1.5" waistband elastic from Pamela's Patterns.

Alterations and Modifications:

  • I eliminated the waist yoke with the ties.
  • I eliminated the zipper and used an elastic waistband.
  • You'll notice that the skirt gathers into the yoke. I did not want the skirt to be overly gathered at the waist. I bought the pattern in the multi-size grouping of 12-18. After measuring the skirt, I decided to cut out the size 12. The size 18 was approx 74" at the top (where it is supposed to be gathered into the yoke) and the size 12 was approx 62". Even that was too large, so I removed 5" from the front and 5" from the back pieces, so the resulting skirt was approx 42" at the top.
  • I cut the CF on the fold.
  • The skirt does need a lining, especially to support the heavy pockets, but I did not use the lining pattern pieces that were provided. I ripped a rectangle of self fabric to fit the skirt opening and a bit shorter than the skirt. I sewed/serged the side seam and inserted it into the skirt opening.
  • I sewed this skirt on a conventional machine, but made heavy use of the serger to deal with the raveling.

I like this skirt! A lot! I do wish it were a couple inches longer. The fabric is great, in terms of drape, as annoying it was to sew. But I still don't see where the shirt cuffs could have been added... I guess I need to think harder. :)

Flying Squirrel Pose

21 comments:

  1. That skirt is very you and I love the way you customized the pattern well done . I love the top in your previous post I have this pattern too and unfortunately havent made it up yet as I bought it in the wrong size group and now really need to cut out a bigger size . Silly me! You have inspired me however. Do you think this would work in a wool jersey which doesnt have as much elasticity in all directions ?

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  2. Hey mem! I think you are asking me if the Katherine Tilton top would work in a wool jersey. I do think that would work, so long as it has a nice drape.

    Thanks!

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  3. Cute skirt, Shams. I hadn't noticed the shirt cuff-ended big waist bow. That's a great detail too. I'm sure you'll find a use for it at some future sewing juncture. In the meanwhile enjoy wearing your fun new skirt.

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  4. You are FAST, woman! I just realized that there was a chance you'd already posted this, and here it is. You did a brilliant job of keeping all of the flair of the design, in spite of your extensive modifications.

    I love the sleeve/cuffs look, but won't use them either when I sew this up. I think they'd just be too difficult to wear.

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  5. You are amazing! Love the pattern with the modifications. The sleeve/cuffs are cute and unique but I'm don't know if they would show enough for the work. Leslie

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  6. Great skirt, Shams...you could make up the shirt cuff part and toss it over your shoulder, sort of like a fox stole...

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  7. Love your adventurous fashion sense!

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  8. Oh My Gosh! You are the only one I know who could see this pattern and make it work for a regular person. Gorgeous. Perfect. Wonderful. (I meant both you and the skirt.

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  9. When I saw that pattern a couple of weeks ago, I just KNEW you would make it! It is you! And, it looks wonderful on your free spirited self!

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  10. Well, that is impressive! The skirt looks fabulous with the modifications you've made. I have to admit I was underwhelmed with the patterns I saw from Vogue this season. Seems quite a few have that huge bulky pocket over the hip area and it made me wonder who they were designing for. I like your version MUCH better. I can't think of how to get that nifty cuff belt in either, but I sure would save the idea for another day.

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  11. You've made this skirt work in the real world with your modifications. Great job, Shams!

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  12. Vision, pure vision. I could have never imagined what you accomplished with that skirt. It looks wonderful.

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  13. This is a very interesting pattern. The pockets are so low it doesn't widen the hip area. I didn't look carefully at this pattern until I saw the photos here, but I like it.

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  14. I saw that skirt, said "I could never pull it off", and knew you would make it! Oddly, you make things like the Marcy pants that I would never try, and after I see you in them, I want them. How you have the vision, I don't know, but you do such great stuff with unusual designs. I'm still not sure about this, I don't want those folds on my hips, but I never noticed the sleeve cuff ends. I may use that, just have to think about it. I'm not brave. :) You look fab. K

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  15. Oh wow, this is gorgeous! I love it, and I think you've inspired me to lash out on yet again another Vogue pattern. I adore the shirt cuffs, like the hint of a shirt-tied-around-the-waist look, yes?

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  16. I would NEVER have made that skirt based on the pattern photo, but it looks FABULOUS on you! Guess who's going to try one now? :-)

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  17. You rock this skirt! I like this skirt better on you than on the model on the pattern envelope.

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  18. You are very clever. The skirt looks great on you.

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  19. Great skirt - I have to say all your outfits are works of art.

    I love it in the white and the little black top too.

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  20. Hi Shams - can you e-mail me so we can coordinate our visit to the Balenciaga exhibit? sunnygalstudio {at} gmail {dot} com

    that skirt looks great - I would never have noticed that pattern.

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