A couple of weeks ago I asked Mum if she could look after Willow while we went to see the Dresden Dolls, and she said “We were planning to go to the beach that weekend… but we could take Willow if you don’t mind her being away until Monday!”.

A whole long weekend by ourselves? Don’t mind if we do!

I was determined to take full advantage of the time – and, to be honest, keep myself busy so I didn’t miss the little scroggin-face too much – and I’ve done so much, I am very pleased. As well as seeing the Dresden Dolls concert (spectacular, as always!) we had brunch with friends on Saturday, then lots of discussion and amazing ice cream at Giapo (you must try the Sour Cherry Yoghurt, and the Butter Pecan, and the Red Velvet, and and and…), a trip through town to a new Japanese goods store (on lower Queen Street, about opposite Max), a visit to Amy’s new house on Sunday morning (with bonus viewing of sheep in a turnip field at the end of her street), and finally a 24-hour sewing marathon.

I snapped a quick picture of some of the sheep relaxing under the trees. This is only about a quarter of them! There were so many!

Historically I haven’t enjoyed sewing that much, but I really wanted some new skirts and I just don’t fit commercial clothes – it’s not even a fat thing, there are plenty of clothes out there big enough for me, but they’re all the wrong shape. Sewing patterns are no better, since they’re made for similar proportions as ready to wear, so I took matters into my own hands and had a go at draping my own skirt pattern.

I got out an old worn sheet, saved specifically for this sort of task, and made a flared tube a bit bigger than I expected the finished skirt to be. I put it on and gradually pinched out the excess fabric, sewing in little tucks and darts until it fit well. Then I pulled it apart to transfer the shapes I’d discovered onto cardboard to make a sturdy pattern, and sewed another test skirt out of the sheet to check and refine my shaping. After a few more changes to the cardboard pattern I moved onto some proper fabric and got the BEST FITTING SKIRT I’VE HAD IN A DECADE.

When I put it on it looks like a simple, swingy knee length skirt, but there’s a lot of construction to get there! My pattern has masses of darts shaping the fabric around all my curves, and a sloped waistline which crosses high in the back to prevent gaping and peeps of underwear when I bend or sit, but swoops low in the front for comfort, while maintaining an even hemline. I used flat felled seams to completely enclose the raw edges, and a faced waist and hem.

I made a second skirt this afternoon using my pattern, and it’s just as good. Now I can make a new skirt out of any fabric I like in about three hours, and the sewing really wasn’t too bad. It turns out having a dining table to cut fabric on is much more pleasant and accurate than crawling around on the floor, and it’s very motivating when I know the finished product is going to suit and flatter me.

So, can you see these wonderskirts? Well, that’s tricky… I can’t really model them because I don’t have any suitable coordinating tops in my wardrobe until I make those as well. But these are the fabrics I used; the leaf pattern is pinwale corduroy and the blue crockery-like print is cotton drill. I promise that I will take outfit photos once I have outfits!

I particularly like the skirt with leaves, which makes me look (intentionally!) like a lovely sofa cushion.

My next project will be to make a simple, well-fitting shell top. I have a pyjama shirt that’s close to what I want, and I’m going to try and ‘trace’ it to use as a starting point. I’ve saved a couple of JSR’s old t-shirts so I have some stretch fabric to use for trials and I’m all set to go next time Willow is away for a day or two. Since skirts, tops and knitted cardigans and sweaters are all I need in my wardrobe I’m well on my way to avoiding clothes shopping! Hooray! (Except for underwear, which isn’t a problem as Thunderpants cover my bottom with superior comfort, and I’ve worked out how to alter bras for a good fit. They’re way beyond my sewing skills/patience anyway. I’m also happy to buy a few items where fit is not critical, like socks, and thermal layers to go underneath my regular outfits in winter, particularly if they’re NZ-made. But otherwise I should be quite self-reliant.)