Thread: skirt desire 1001

yes..I'm obsessed..seeking seamstress to talk ideas with..must be comfortable working with silk of all types

I'd like to hand paint fabric to be made into various types of skirts..really nice high end stuff..

Gypsy wear and belly dance silks

since I don't sew, I don't know what would work..I'd love to make a crepe de chine skirt..it will be pricey I imagine

you guys know those basic 'gypsy' style skirts that are sold in your everyday stores? the ones that are 3 or 4 tiers and the bottom circumference is just a few yards (not the big tribal ones, I'm talking uber simple)

anyone have an idea of how much fabric that would you?

how about this scenario?

skirt sewing chicks..i took a quick measure..fully stretched the waist is 50 inches of fabric, there are four tiers, each 8 inches long. bottom ruffle circumference is 9 yard four inches..so how much fabric do I need? If I were to paint silk from the bolt, and the bolt is 45 inches wide, how many pieces do you need to make this happen?

The length of the skirt will affect the yardage. Here are some styles to give you ballpark measurements:

http://www.kwiksew.com/catalog/PDF/3373.pdf
Sewing Patterns : Simplicity Patterns : Misses Skirts (click on the "Envelope Back" tab)
B5330 | Misses' Skirt and Pants | Skirts | Butterick Patterns
M5812 | Misses' Skirts | Skirts | McCall's Patterns

Okay that was A LOT of math and a bit of guessing but for the skirt you mentioned it would be 3 yards of fabric.

The teir lengths I figured were :

50 inches (two 25 inch lengths x 8.5 inches)
106.6 inches (three 35.5 inch lengths x 8.5 inches)
246 inches (six 41 inch lengths x 8.5 inches)
328 inches (eight 41 inch lengths x 8.5 inch)

The extra half inch is for seam allowances (I make tiny seam alowances, So the seamstress you use may need slightly more fabric) I had to guess sorry if my measurements off! But they should be fairly close.

I wish I knew how to sew with silk making skirts out of your silk would be so much fun!

If youv'e got no use for any of the scraps, I have a home for them...

The Folkwear webpage lists a requirement of 8 yards for a Flying-Skirts style 10-yards skirt. I do not know how the math works out, but that sounds more like it for a "serious skirt" to me. And, I'd rather spend more money on that design, from having a seen a Flying Skirts skirt in silk; it is a wonderful piece and made just right for being danced in.

Since you are cutting across the grain and not with it (railroading) try to find silk as wide as you can get it so you don't have to cut so many strips. The garment will also last longer as the fabric won't pull part. Cutting the selvages from the fabric strips will keep the ends from puckering too. Another possible help is to sew the strips together using French seams. Start with wrong sides together, sew. Trim closely to stitching, then flip right side to right side, and sew. What you've done is enclose the raw edges. I use this technique often, with very narrow seam allowances because I work with some fabrics that fray like crazy. It also gives sheers a very nicely finished look and it's a durable seam. If you're wanting to do the French seam between the tiers it'll be tricky because there will be bulk from the gathering process. It's worth a shot on some scraps and since silk isn't that bulky you might find that it works. Since you want to go high end, this would be a lovely surprise for your clients...when they bustle their skirts there won't be any loose fibers or threads. It's a very couture thing to do.

How you cut your skirt pieces will depend on how you plan to decorate the fabric. If you are planning on decorative borders than you are probably going to have to use the 'railroad' layout Doozer describes.

One more: 4 tiers at 8 inches, that's 32 inches length, which is just a bit too short for most dancers.

you guys rule..

preferably I'd like to dye the silk and hand it over to someone who can make something really nice (of course you would be paid)

I do understand tiered skirts are labor intensive so I am anticipating that

Have had a burning idea lately for a Hawaiian inspired line of skirts..

the first one I want to do is hand painted..using a nice crepe de chine silk, I would hand paint it first (hand paints don't always follow a specific design so the strips could be cut any way needed)..the hand painted lava design literally looks like lava with bits of yellow, orange, red, black drizzle

here's a pic of a wrap



I could easily include enough fabric for a choli or vest.

I work best with 3 yards of fabric or less..I do believe I can get crepe de chine in 55 inch width

yes I'd rather go high end and use the good pattern and french seams, whatever those are (I just dye hehe)

what would be a good price to pay a seamstress?

also want to use the same type of fabric to make the narrow panel skirts

Originally Posted by jesennia

yes I'd rather go high end and use the good pattern and french seams, whatever those are (I just dye hehe)

French seams are probably the gold standard for tailoring, but a good seamstress who doesn't skimp on serger seams will also produce a quality garment--or at least something comparable to what you'd buy as ready to wear.

What Tourbeau said. French seams in crepe de chine with one side ruffled could end up a labor-intensive pain in the ass.

Jesennia, my personal opinion is that you don't need a seamstress, you need a designer (who may be a seamstress herself or who has people who sew for her) who will work with you as an equal on design and implementation. Someone who is willing to go thru ten iterations until it is 'just right.'

Or contact someone who is already in the costume business and see if they want to purchase yardage from you. You know a lot about dyeing silk, but it sounds like you know nothing about sewing.

i know NOTHING about sewing, and no desire to learn..I think you are right, I need someone who may be able to visualize on the same page ..a designer..

Hi Jesennia--totally off topic but your pm box is full--i wanted to contact you about a veil listed at your etsy store, thanks! (also wrote you via etsy).

No comments on skirts, since I am not a seamstress, although I would love to see how they turn out!