Tuesday, March 10, 2009

I think there may be a girl in here afterall.

I've always prided myself on not being a girl.

Yes, you read that right, on NOT being a girl.

I'm plenty female, yes, but not girly. Not one little bit.

In fact, I've always been suspicious of girly girls all through my life (in many ways), but that's another post completely. Anyway, lately I've been itching for Spring, as you already know, and with that itch comes the overwhelming need for lighter clothing. Late last summer I started wearing skirts. I know, right? Skirts. I'm struggling to get past my pasty white Irish girl legs and just set them free when the weather agrees, and recently I've decided to start making my own skirts instead of buying them. I'm not much of a seamstress, and clothing has never been my strongsuit. The skirts I've made in the past have been worn strictly around the house, but never out in public. I worry that they'll look too handmade or sloppy, and more importantly, not appropriate for work, so I limited the wear to bumming-around-the-house attire only. That changed during last month's Troy Night Out, though, when I broke out of my safety zone and wore one of my handmade skirts to work. I received so many compliments on that particular skirt that I decided I must be doing something right.

So, Ben and I ventured out to the fabric store last night and I bought some material specifically for skirt-making (3 skirts to be exact). I've finished one and have the other two cut out and ready to be sewn together using this tutorial. If you're a beginner in the wide world of sewing, or if you know your stuff and need a simple pattern for making skirts of your own, give this pattern a shot. Super easy, totally customizable, and the finished product is adorable! I snagged some sweet little trims at the store, too, and I'll be adding them to the hems of the two unfinished skirts (you can see the black trim on the white skirt).
I think I'm in love.

6 comments:

Modernsnap ! said...

OMG! So relatable, the whole girly girl thing is completely alien to me, don't get it. I'm jealous that you can sew a clothing item! Do these beauties have zippers, elastic, buttons? I could possibly do the main part but the tummy finishing area, scary! In 7th grade home-ec I made a pair of Hawaiian boarder boy shorts with 2 pleats on one side and 3 on the other. I haven't gotten any better since...

Murray said...

love the fabric, especially the white with the black lace. you'll have to post a finished pic, ON YOU! the last time I wore a skirt, bjork was my fashion role model so I doubt I looked very girlie... it's all about attitude so I'm sure you'll look great!

Kim said...

I can totally relate to the not being a girly girl. :)

I recently bought a great book called "Sew What! Skirts-16 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics". There are no patterns, it explains (simply) how to make your own.

By the way, I think I have the same lace, with the ribbon down the middle.

Please post photos of the finished skirts!
Kim

shoshonasnow said...

Good stuff! I was also never a girlie girl. BUT, skirts are so damn comfortable and way cooler in the summer. Also, because I'm covered in clay most of the time, it's nice to look "nice" when I actually leave the studio. I've been making simple wrap skirts lately. I started collecting vintage ones a couple of years ago and last year bought some vintage patterns and fabric to make my own. Simple, easy and ADJUSTABLE!!

Bronwyn said...

those fabrics are gorgeous!! yes pls. do post the finished skirts!!!

I have a weird Jekyll/Hyde thing with my girlygirl side. most days I wear the same pair of jeans, and I spent most of my youth in combat boots. I know how to change my own oil, etc...

but then I have this weakness for sequins and high heels...

it's all very confusing. good luck with your own girly explorations!!

Good Girls Studio said...

How cute ! Will you be selling them or are they just for show & tell :) You must posts pics of you modeling them! & are you suspicious of my girlishness ; )