The Full, Gathered Skirt

After obsessively reading Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing (see my previous post), I was inspired to pull out the ol' sewing machine and make something.  I wasn't sure what to make, so I perused my extensive fabric collection, which is far too large for my New York apartment.  This black and cream cotton sateen jumped out at me, saying "Make me into The Full, Gathered Skirt!"  So I did.

For those of you who haven't read Gertie's blog, this is a skirt from a 1952 Vogue pattern.  Vogue states, "A gathered skirt is just about the most useful skirt you could have . . . it's becoming . . . it mixes with all your blouses and sweaters." 


Gertie posted the pattern here, so people like me could make one too.  I had to alter the pattern a bit, since the fabric was an odd shape from an old project gone awry.  I decided on one full front panel, and two in the back with the zipper (bright teal!) up the center.  I added pockets, cuz I happen to like pockets on a skirt.  I didn't have an invisible zipper, so I used a centered zipper with this tutorial, and tabbed the waistband with a hook and eye closure.


It turned out...cute, but not nearly as cute as I thought it would be.  It's not exactly, um, flattering.  I mean, I have enough chichones (a.k.a. love handles) as it is.  Though it looks better with a jacket.

I think the fabric may be too heavy for it to stand out with 1950s volume, like Gertie's.  Of course, she used taffeta, which is stiffer than my drapery fabric.  Guess I'll have to make another one in silk taffeta.  Darn!

The other option is to put a crinoline under it.  Now, after wearing a crinoline for 10 months in The Marvelous Wonderettes, I know both the fun and annoyance of crinolines.  The last thing I want to do is wear a crinoline while walking down the streets of New York.  Too fussy.  And costumey, if that's a word.

But again it all comes back to Gertie.  She has a post about modern crinolines, which are smaller and easier to deal with.  They even sell them at Anthropologie!

 I might be able to handle one of those.  Especially in lemon yellow!  So cute!

What do you think?  Dare I wear a crinoline in everyday life?

Grateful for Gertie

This is my first post. I've never written a blog before, nor followed one. In fact, I've often questioned why people even have blogs at all. I never understood what people had to say that was important enough to say it to the world. Though perhaps I have no room to talk, since I'm a performer and make my living shouting things to the world.

But about a week ago I came across a fantastic blog called Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing and my mind has changed. Gertie set a goal to become a better seamstress by following the 1952 publication "Vogue's New Book for Better Sewing." I was instantly hooked and spent hours over the next few days pouring over all her posts. Not only does she have great wit and humor, she's talking about something I'm actually interested in! Sewing! I found myself drawn into her world, and so grateful to her for sharing it.

Well, sewing is one of my many crafts. I am lucky enough to be working in an artistic profession that I love, and on top of that I sew, make jewelry, take & edit photographs, and write music. I feel like I barely have time to think. My time is also usurped by my husband, 2 cats, and a very spoiled Irish Setter, Layla. I feel like I have more ideas in my head than time to execute them.

When I came across Gertie's blog, I realized why people write them, because I realized why people read them. I found a group of people talking about their craft. Why they love it, why they hate it. A place to take problems and questions and get answers and support. A place to post your projects, boast about them, cry about them, remember why we crafty people do what we do. I found people going through what I've gone through.

How can I say this?

I WANT TO GO TO THERE!!!

Since I do so many random things, I expect this will be a slightly random blog. But I think all creative things can relate to each other. Especially all the emotions we go through while creating. Sometimes I want to throw my sewing machine across the room, just as I sometimes want to throw my soldering iron across the room. There's a connection there.

I don't expect anyone to read this crazy thing. I certainly don't claim to know what I'm doing with this here blog, but I'm gonna have fun posting.

Oh, and Mom, since you're probably the only one reading this anyway, "I want to go to there" is an actual quote from 30 Rock, the TV show. Not just bad grammar. :)