The “Topped with a Hat” Skirt
The Facts
Fabric: Chiffon $9.96 for 2 yards, Lining $5.96 for 2 yards, Velvet – gifted
Pattern: New Look 6872, I lengthened the skirt and made the waistband wider. ($1.50)
Year: 2009
Notions: invisible zipper $2.39
Time to complete: 3 hours
First worn: Jan. 8, 2012
Wear again? Of course!
Total price: $19.81 plus tax
Accessory: Burgundy Hat inherited from Grandma Mary Elizabeth
I inherited a lot of hats from my Grandmother, when she passed. She had impeccable style. I love her hats and I always want an excuse to wear them, but I don’t have a lot of clothing that matches them. This challenge gave me a reason to do that, especially since one of my resolutions this year is to accessorize more. This challenge called my name.
I chose this flowy skirt to copy from a skirt I saw at Anthropologie I wanted, but didn’t want the particular color it came in. I figured I could make my own and I can make it any color I wanted. A dear friend gave me this burgundy velvet a few months back, which I used for the waistband. The brown chiffon and lining I purchased from fabric.com. I thought burgundy and brown would go very well together, plus I have two fabulous hats from my Grandma, one happens to be brown and the other burgundy. I have choices!!!
To be honest, I hate sewing with chiffon, but a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do to get the look she wants. I mustered through it. Lining isn’t so easy either. I don’t line a lot of my creations simply because that’s just more hems to sew. Now velvet, I have never sewn with velvet. This was interesting. It wasn’t hard, but it wasn’t easy. It moves a lot and it’s thick. I would do it again if the occasion calls for it.
I wore my skirt and hat to church on Sunday. I received many compliments, but I truly owe them all to my Grandmother. All in all, I am glad I made this skirt and challenged myself to work with unfamiliar fabrics. I’m glad I thought outside of the box. Grandma would be proud of me.
We took the pictures at our Santa Susana Railroad Museum in Simi Valley, CA USA.
Love the velvet bow on your skirt, it sets off the hat brilliantly.
Oh good. That’s what I was going for. Thank you!
Great job sewing with such difficult fabrics! Love the styling of your photos
Thank you so much! My husband has to do a good job with the photos or he’ll hear no end of it from me.
So stylish.
Thank you!
I love that you’ve got such a fabulous array of hats from your grandmother – it’s wonderful to have things that are so full of memories. Bravo on working with chiffon! It looks great paired with that fantastic velvet. A great piece for your wardrobe – well done!
Meg, you give the best and most genuine compliments. Thank you so much. I want to just take you everywhere with me.
The big purple velvet bow is lovely and the skirt suits the hat so well.
Thank you! I love that dang bow.
What a darling outfit. The skirt, especially the length, really suits the hat.
Thank you. The original inspiration of the skirt was a mid calf length, but I thought a maxi length would be more suitable. More elegant.
I’m not normally a fan of maxi skirts but this is just wonderful!
Such a great match to your hat :D