Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Navy and White Ginger: Completed!


If you've been reading my blog, you're probably thinking, "Oh, she must have gotten that invisible zipper foot she's been harping about and finally stopped procrastinating." You're right, sort of. I did get that invisible zipper foot. It doesn't fit on my machine. So I didn't actually use it. I hunted around for another one online but failed to find one that said it specifically worked with my model of Singer machine, so I got out a needle and put in the zipper by hand. Actually, I think it may have turned out better than it would have if I'd done it by machine. It looks like just a seam to me. Can you see the zipper? (I feel like it's a Where's Waldo drawing, except with my back end. Maybe you shouldn't look too closely.)


And the front view. Also, this is my deck. I obviously need to do a little more work outside before winter hits. But isn't my skirt cute?!

I used store-bought bias binding to finish all of the seams, including the seam the zipper's in. My stitching isn't perfectly straight, but I'm learning. I did discover that it's easier to keep it straight if I'm using a zipper foot, oddly enough, so the seam finishing on the back seam is straighter than this photo, but I was already wearing the skirt when I took it, which would have made getting a photo of the back seam super awkward (and revealing), so y'all will have to admire the almost-straight stitching of my side seams. :)

Pattern Description: Colette Patterns Ginger, Version 2

Pattern Sizing: Size 4 in the waist to size 10 in the hips. Yes, I span that many sizes.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? I'm a sewing novice, and these instructions were perfect. Everything was so thorough, and if I didn't understand something immediately, there was a glossary in the back of the instruction booklet, and notes directing sewers to the Colette tutorials online.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love everything! The fit is perfect, and it's such a great TNT pattern.

Fabric Used: Navy and white cotton

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I removed the front seam so I wouldn't have to match the pattern and so it would lie flat (I made Version 3 in pink and gray - which I will post when that zipper is in - and had to adjust the front pieces to remove the bubble in the belly). I also smoothed out the side seams at the hip, since my hips are lower than the pattern and it made me look a bit like an Oompa Loompa. No photos of that. :) I lengthened the pattern about an inch so it would hit just below the knee.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I've already got the pink and gray version 3 in the works, and I will sew this pattern over and over. If you haven't sewn it yet, do it! I  know you can get a Simplicity A-line skirt pattern for 99 cents on sale, but the extra cash is totally worth it for this beautiful pattern. I hope I'm getting more Colette patterns for Christmas this year!

Conclusion: I love this skirt. Love. It's so flattering and comfy (snug, but not so tight it's cutting into me), I would wear it every day if I could. I'll make a million more. Also, I just realized, as I'm sitting here typing this in my new skirt, that the outfit I'm wearing looks absurdly similar to a dress I was inspired by back in August. I got the nude shoes I wanted, too! I feel like I should have posed like the model with my gray handbag, just to compare. :)

6 comments:

  1. Cute! Great job! Next time I make one, I'll take your advice and cut the front on the fold... great idea!

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  2. Thank you! I loved your two Gingers. There's piping on the one I'm working on now (I don't think a sewist could make this pattern just once...it's like potato chips).

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  3. I love the Ginger and your version is really cute!  Would you like to post  a photo link to your blog on my Sew & Tell Saturday linky party at my blog this Saturday? Its geared specifically for sewing projects and its fun to discover new blogs and get some new visitors to your own blog this way.
    Justine @ Sew Country Chick

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  4. Love the skirt and the color, nice job!

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  5. I found your blog via Justine's blog--->whee, I love your blog and your work. This Ginger skirt is so cute.

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  6. Wow. Thank you all! I'm so happy to know that people are reading my posts and enjoying them.

    Justine, I joined your Sew & Tell Saturday and will be adding your button to my blog today, now that I'm back on a real computer. It's such a great idea!

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