Review: Simplicity 1427 | A Shocking Pink Tulle Skirt!
3:45 PM
I had been dreaming of a tulle skirt since spring. Especially when I saw Kelis' fabulous skirt in The Coveteur article, that I posted about. I mentioned my apprehension regarding such a whimsical piece. I do dressy... but never whimsical... that's simply not me. Even I at times, question how a garment will fit into my wardrobe and my lifestyle. Where in the world would I wear a tulle skirt, particularly a BOLD fuchsia one?! How impractical, right?
Wrong! You know the perfect time to wear a bright, bold shocking pink tulle skirt? To a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Pink Party -- sponsored by the North Central Alabama Susan G. Komen and B-Metro Magazine!
Of course I used Simplicity 1427, view C. I knew I wouldn't make a ball-length like Kelis', so the midi length would be perfect. Remember back in the day, we called that "tea length". I had previously read some negative reviews on this pattern. So I *tried* to work this pattern with an open mind. I tried too... So here goes: First for view C, I cut the size 14. You need over 14 yards of tulle. Thank God for how cheap tulle is per yard! And over 4 yards for the lining which I used satin fabric. So this ended up being a $50 project. For those of you that don't sew and wish to have a custom skirt like this made -- DON'T even think of scrunching up your face when you're quoted a price. A lot of labor goes into this!
I've never had a problem with slow sewing projects. As a matter of fact, I actually love them and I'm so glad it's fall so that I can get into some tailoring projects. But what I don't like are fiddly and tedious sewing details. And working with tulle and having to make gathers falls under fiddly and tedious. Also, hemming a wide circle skirt. Yep, that's pretty tedious as well. I hated that and literally suffered through it.
Let's talk about how this skirt is constructed. Now, if I were making this skirt on my own I can see why you'd need that amount of tulle and why to do it in layers -- for the fullness. But what I don't understand is why cut the tulle into sections and THEN sew it back together. The first pattern piece (why do you even need a pattern piece???) has you cutting out 8 pieces of 60" sections of tulle, and sewing 4 sections together twice, that will create 2 sets of gathered circle skirts that will be layered atop each other. My question is what's the benefit of adding the seams? Those two layers are sewn onto a yoke (center picture below) and the lining. Remember that part.
The next pattern piece is a little larger than the first and you do the same thing all over again. These two layers are sewn onto the waistband and all of this is sewn to the yoke and first set of layers. The finished look is the first picture above. Why is the yoke needed? I think this part is what threw off other people that made this. I didn't find it confusing, just unnecessary.
But even after the weird construction method and details, I was pretty pleased with the way the skirt turned out. I guess the end justifies the means! And who knows, I may even make one in black! Here are some shots with friends from the event:
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39 comments
Love!
ReplyDeleteLove! And you look smashing in it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter!
DeleteWhat fun! You look fabulous in it! Love!
ReplyDeleteWell, it is beautiful! Can't wait to see you style a black one that I know you will construct without that pattern.
ReplyDeleteThanks Faye!
Deletebeautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenese!
DeleteIt's gorgeous! Your hard work certainly paid off. You look like a princess!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tomasa!
DeleteVery smile-inducing :) that does sounds like an unnecessarily tedious set of instructions. But you prevailed!!!! Looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mrs. Smith!
DeleteLooks great!
ReplyDeleteThanks Beryl!
DeleteI was wondering how many yards of tulle you had in there when I saw the preview picture, 14...nice. The yellow one I made has 16 yards. :o) Yeah it's poofy, but that's what I was going for. I didn't use a pattern for mine, I doubt you'll need one if you make another in black. You have me VERY intrigued by that idea...hmmm do I need a black tulle skirt????
ReplyDeleteJJ
www.dressupnotdown.blogspot.com
Who needs one! But they sure are fun! Thanks JJ!
Deletehi JJ... how did you create the tulle skirt without a pattern? Is it on your blog?
DeleteAbsolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteBlack and pink are so hot right now! You look great lady!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alicia!
DeleteFearless Erica! Bravo! It takes loads of confidence to work this gorgeous skirt and you did it )
ReplyDeleteThanks Marina!
DeleteI love it!....:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Christy!
DeleteThat skirt is EVERYTHING!!! Love it. Sure you were the BELLE of the BALL!!! I wonder if I could pull this off at a wedding? too much?? Maybe not!! Be prepared :)
ReplyDeleteI think you should! Thanks Sassafras!
DeleteGorgeous skirt!
ReplyDeleteXO
Jeanne
http://fashionmusingsdiary.com
Thanks Jeanne!
DeleteSupercute!!
ReplyDeleteThanks conestasmismanitas!
DeleteI wish I had the patience to really find out what those daggon instructions were telling me to do lool Yours looks great!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tasha!
DeleteOMG I'm in love with this! I've been wanting a skirt like this for forever!
ReplyDeleteThanks Andie!
DeleteAieeeeee!! I wish I could sew! I did not balk at the $50 price at all. I was like that's it?! You look so fabulous and amazing! I LOVE IT!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on all your hard working in making this skirt. It is lovely!
ReplyDeleteMy sister asked me tp make her this awhile back and I assumed that it would be a fairly easy make, boy was I wrong! I also fell victim to being tripped up by the part were you cut the tulle into all those sections and sew them together. But you pictures helped me make sense of it.
ReplyDeleteP.s the skirt is beautiful and you look beautiful in it. The color looks so good on you.
I made this skirt for a friend of mine, it was her birthday yesterday, which is when she needed it, but I was stumped by the last part, thank you so much for posting those pictures, otherwise I would not have been able to finish it! You’re a lifesaver!!!
ReplyDeleteHello! I'm working on a tulle skirt right now with the same pattern that you used. You did a fabulous job and I love the colour you chose. I found an explanation online from the pattern maker (Andrea Schewe) who created this pattern as to the purpose of the yoke. It's there to take some of the weight and bulk of the tulle away from the waist. I can't help but agree with you about cutting the tulle into all those sections though... Why do that? Did you bother? It seems unnecessary. (?)
ReplyDelete