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The Vogue V1486 review post in which I murdered a curtain. I have sewn a total of 5 skirts using this sewing pattern!
READ | The Ultimate Vogue V1486 Sewing Pattern Review Post
I bought this fabric more than six years ago when I was making curtains forĀ our new place. With only 3m end of the roll left it was never going to enough for curtains. I bought it because IĀ loved the large dramatic floral andĀ thought I would make cushions.
The hazards of hoarding fabric…
It stayed hidden, forgotten, until I gathered all my fabric together over a year ago in a futile attempt to organise my stash and rediscovered it.
Only afterĀ I made the muslin for the skirt did I recall that this would probably work and it was about time I used it. Here is my pattern review entry:
Pattern Description:
Skirt has lined waistband, side pockets, and pleated lower front and back, cut on crosswise grain.
Pattern Sizing:
6-22 I cut a size 12.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes it did.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
They were good. However, I didn’t use the exposed zip (I didn’t have one in my stash) as per instructions and went for a concealed one instead. The instructions tell you to leave hem unhemmed but I wasn’t having that. SO be careful because the pattern paper length is the final length – it does not have a hem. You need to add a hem if working with a woven fabric.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I bought this pattern because I liked the dramatic flare on the skirt paired with the high empire waist.
Fabric Used:
I used curtain fabric that has been languishing in my stash for years. It was an end of roll 3m piece massively discounted. The fabric has a dupioni look to it with the big bold floral design on it. It got the stiffness to hold the flare. I also thought it had Dolce & Gabbana feel to it with the huge dramatic florals.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I didn’t change anything except for the zip as mentioned above.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would sew it again BUT there are issues with the thick straight waistband. If you are a straight shape (tube) then it will fit fine. But if you have a shaped waist like I do then the waist band does not stay nice and straight. You can see in the bathroom selfie picture taken after a night out how the waist band rolled down. Not cool.
For my next one, I have to draft a contoured empire waistband which will either have princess seams or a long curved piece.
Also, remember that you need to add a hem allowance as the pattern does not have one.
Conclusion:
Its a relatively quick project to make. Despite finishing hem with bias binding and encasing zipper seams, it took 2 days to make this skirt. The actual fabric recommendation is for stretch fabrics like ponte or scuba but you can definitely make with wovens – you just need to check pattern tissue measurements first.
I really like the contrast waistband in fuschia with pink satin bias binding – its so pretty on the inside too I wore this for a night out at Leeds Grand Theatre and got a lot of compliments. The outfit worked well with this Mimi G off shoulder top I whipped up for the outing.
Its a great pattern but that empire waistband will not work on curves. I will be making it after I redraft the waist.
And pictures….
Needless to say I felt like a million dollars in an all memade outfit. Will do a post soon about that top which only took me an hour to sew up on the Saturday afternoon that we were due to go out in the evening leaving the kids and the mother in law all at home :-)))).
As always thanks for stopping by my little corner of the interwebs. I have been sewing up a storm and will be posting more stuff later on this week.
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wakeymakes
June 15, 2016 4:52 pmStunning. Skirt pattern top. The whole package. Fabulous K xXx
Hila
June 15, 2016 9:20 pmThank you for the lovely compliment! I am blushing š
lisa g
June 15, 2016 5:26 pmVery cool outfit! I love the shape of the skirt.
Hila
June 15, 2016 9:19 pmThank you. It was the shape that attracted me to this pattern too.
kalimak
June 15, 2016 6:24 pmIt’s gorgeous! Good call on the fabric — excellent choice!
Hila
June 15, 2016 9:19 pmThank you! Cheers to forgotten fabric that have been in stash for yonks š
JaneyB
June 15, 2016 6:33 pmNot surprised you got lots of compliments – that is a stunning outfit! And is that a new pair of shoes we’ve not seen before??
Hila
June 15, 2016 9:18 pmLols I have worn them in May but they have been in my collection for 2 months now after picking them up on sale for only Ā£8 from Ā£65!. And they are real patent leather too – they had some marks which I cleaned off :-). It was strange receiving so many compliments in one evening – I got the hang of it as time went on though and didnt feel too awkward š
thedementedfairy
June 15, 2016 6:34 pmLovely outfit- I had planned to finish a skirt for this challenge too…but I don’t think time will allow!
Hila
June 15, 2016 9:15 pmI think there is still 8 hours left if you are up to a GBSB style make :-). BTW after what you said about hand sewing – I ordered a book on hand sewing (by Claire Schaeffer) which I got the other day and its seriously blowing my mind. Thanks to what was quite possibly a throwaway comment on your part – I am about to take my sewing to a whole new level :-)So huge thanks for that. X
thedementedfairy
June 15, 2016 9:24 pmWonderful- you will see [and feel] the difference: softer waistbands and hems, nicer zips, and some really interesting trims that just won’t work nicely on the machine. Hurrah! {i could do the sewing IF I had less marking to do. Dammit]
Sew_what73
June 15, 2016 6:36 pmLove it x
Hila
June 15, 2016 9:12 pmThanks!
HĆ©lĆØne
June 15, 2016 7:28 pmWhat a ravishing print! Can’t believe this fabric was meant for curtains. The ensemble is lovely with your powder blue shoes and you do look like a million dollars.
Hila
June 15, 2016 9:12 pmThank you Helene.What a lovely compliment – it made me smile.
carmenross88
June 15, 2016 11:01 pmI love this whole look at I think I have that skirt pattern, too. Kudos! I hope you win!
Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
June 16, 2016 6:26 amVery pretty! I love the flowers on the dress!
Emma
June 16, 2016 7:30 amThat is gorgeous! I can see why you couldn’t resist the fabric. I share your dislike of straight waistbands – they are always unflattering and uncomfortable for me.
lagrancostanza
June 16, 2016 7:31 amThe skirt is so pretty and you look gorgeous!
Lynsey
June 16, 2016 7:54 amLove love love your fabric, the skirt is fab too, it’s got a lovely shape to it and looks super on you.
themateriallady
June 16, 2016 9:35 amYour skirt is gorgeous but I can’t wait for the details on that top! It’s the current ‘off the shoulder’ trend but at a level that I would be willing to try. An altogether yummy ensemble.
Hila
June 21, 2016 12:24 pmThanks! I will be getting that post up by the end of this week. š
Naomi
June 16, 2016 11:10 amLove love love! And also love the toothbrush šš
Hila
June 21, 2016 12:24 pmLols š
Back to Blighty
June 16, 2016 12:05 pmLove it – so dramatic! š
Hila
June 21, 2016 12:24 pmThank you!
Janet
June 16, 2016 3:45 pmAbsolutely lovely! Perfect in every way!!
Draped in Cloudlets
June 16, 2016 6:06 pmThis looks so pretty ā„
idaaidasewing
June 16, 2016 9:40 pmGorgeous!
Hila
June 21, 2016 12:23 pmThank you!
Thimberlina
June 17, 2016 7:05 amStunning as ever! I love all the different style of clothes you make and every one you pull off with such ease! I can see why you got so many compliments. š
Hila
June 21, 2016 12:23 pmThank you!
fabrickated
June 19, 2016 7:01 amA great look. Love the lightness of the look. And the shoes – total bargain.
Hila
June 21, 2016 12:17 pmThank you. In a way I am trying to emulate your use of pinks and pastel which I absolutely love. Its a learning curve for me because I had always steered clear of them.
fabrickated
June 22, 2016 9:53 pmWhy thank you Hila.
Alex
June 19, 2016 10:10 pmI can’t believe that was curtain fabric! It looks ace! Now I can’t wait to see the post about the top!!
Hila
June 21, 2016 12:15 pmIts coming soon Alex. x
frougiefashionista
June 21, 2016 2:53 amLove the floral. Gorgeous skirt. I looked at the pattern and passed. I might change my mind.
Hila
June 21, 2016 12:10 pmI think you would rock this pattern!
Carmen Ross
May 3, 2017 3:53 amI’ve had this skirt since last year two and I am finally thinking about sewing it up now that Fabric Mart is running a skirt contest. I’m glad that you agree that this pattern will work with a non-stretch woven. Question: Do you think the waistband issue might be solved if the waistband was interfaced first? Or is it interfaced and you still have this problem? Did you ever end up making this pattern again?
Hila
May 3, 2017 9:43 amHi Carmen.I had interfaced the waistband but the problem is that its a straight band that is a rectangle shape but my waist isnt shaped like that. The problem can be resolved by reducing the width (thickness of the waistband so it doesnt curl. I havent yet made it again but plan on it – its a great style.