Friday, September 19, 2008

Lace Skirt Progress



Link to All Lace Skirt Photos

Here's a close-up of my zipper installation. I plan to add a lapped-zipper-like lace overlay to it, but for now, it's just a centered zipper, handstitched through the lace only, so the only stitching you see is basting. This was fun, but a little nerve-wracking, as the lace is very thick, and I was afraid of getting it too close to the zipper teeth.

I got the waistband basted on last night, and am very happy with it. I am using the contrast fabric from my Marfy jacket for the waistband. It blends in nicely with the lace, as a neutral, and is nice and smooth. I knew I did not want lace for the waistband, and I did not want the organza, as it would be uncomfortably rough. I also wanted a real waistband rather than a faced band, as the faced bands never really hold things in position on me, and this is a very heavy skirt that needs to stay put. I put it on last night and it has grown quite a lot in length because of the weight I'm sure, so I'll be turning it up at least 4" more than I'd planned. This changes the length of the organza layer too, and I may just rip off my bias edging and re-apply it to the new spot rather than trying to think of something else. Here's the organza bias hem edging as it is now.



Here's the back of the skirt before the zipper was in, with no waistband, and the original hem length pinned up.


I'm getting excited about finishing this skirt now, and I think it's going to be done in the next couple of days. I really like the shape of it so far, and I think it's going to be a success.

15 comments:

loopylulu said...

It looks great so far. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

The color of that lace is just sooooo beautiful! And the skirt is looking good!

Mardel said...

Liana, that skirt is just coming along beautifully!

Birgitte said...

The skirt looks beautiful so I can see why you're excited. Exquisite construction as always and I think this color must be absolutely lovely on you.

Summerset said...

Looking good! I didn't think about the growing hem - good thing it hung for a while for you to catch that.

Vicki said...

Liana, it is looking lovely!

Anonymous said...

The skirt looks truly lovely!! Thank you for posting such detailed photographs. I appreciate your cautionary note on the weight of the lace elongating the skirt. That is something I would not have considered. You are so gifted and I always look forward to reading your posts.

Adriana B. said...

It looks lovely, I am excited to see the final product! So much work has gone in this skirt but it would be so worth it!

Anonymous said...

Aren't you excited about your skirt; it is looking beautiful.

Karendee

Sheila said...

Your lace skirt is coming along very nicely and thanks for sharing your construction techniques.

Nancy K said...

It is really beautiful! Dyeing it rally brought out the beauty of this lace. Really looking forward to seeing it on you.

Anonymous said...

I'm with nancyk, it IS really beautiful, Liana! What wonderful work you do!

Alexandra said...

Ooh, it's looking beautiful! I love the color of the lace!

Anonymous said...

I think your skirt will turn out alright because of the style you used. At first, I wondered if it would still fit, but then I saw the style.
Do you think pressing it to help it stretch would help? Pressing like you would do for a bias cut. I think Marcy Tilton demonstrated it in her skirt book.

I am also wondering about the zipper and whether you will be able to cover it completely. Given that the skirt is not fitted, maybe a slight elasticized waist would have been sufficient.
Anyways, I think you did a nice job with installing the zipper though.
A wonderful skirt journey.

Linda L said...

Excellent job with the zipper. The skirt is truly looking great!