Sunday, April 6, 2014

Skirt Obsessed - McCalls 6396


My obsession with the skirt continues!

I've had this jumper pattern, McCalls 6396, for awhile. (It is now OOP.) I kinda liked it, but kinda didn't. The tweed jumper with the deep v-neck... it reminded me of a school girl's uniform.

But I really liked the layered, asymmetric skirt.

I spent some time mulling over how to change the jumper to make it more "me". I had several ideas but none gelled. Finally, I decided to chop the pattern at the waist and to make it as a skirt.

'Cause I love skirts!

I made view A, which features two front pieces that overlap. After I chopped it in half, the jumper with a princess seam bodice, became a skirt with a princess seam yoke.

The fabric is a fabulous double-sided stretch woven from Italy with an abstract print. I purchased it locally in two color ways. This is the swampy green color way, but I also have some in a grey/black combo. It washed/dried beautifully and resists wrinkles. A really nice fabric.

I made a size 10 skirt, but increased the waist. This involved modifying all 6 yoke pattern pieces, as well as all three skirt pattern pieces. This alteration is not for the faint of heart, but if your waist/hip ratio is closer to the pattern's idea of a body shape, it shouldn't be hard.

Because my waist and hips are close to the same measurement, I converted it to an elastic waist and omitted the zipper.

I love this skirt and will definitely make it again!

I am also linking up with Patti's Visible Monday. Thanks, Patti!

Bison Followup

Thanks for all of your feedback on the bison hat! It was a lot of fun to plan and execute.

For most of April Fool's Day, the security guard and the two receptionists enjoyed the reaction it received. I learned that the security guard was counting the number of people who were spinning the propeller - in fact, they started telling people it would bring luck.

Then I learned that, at the end of the day, the bison was moved.

Yes, moved!

It was moved to another building at the outskirts of the campus. I went to visit the bison in his new digs on Friday. I hear they plan to leave the Noogler hat on his head.

This is fine with me!

Bernie in his new digs

Mem took a photo of me with Bernie in his new, well lit, lobby.

I also learned that they call him Nickel

But I prefer Bernie.

In totally unrelated news, DD2, who has been traveling the world on a Gap Year since last September, returns home tonight! Woot!