The Great Patternless Skirt

It's almost July 27th 15 years later. My psychological jaw drops at this. Sometimes my physiological jaw also does. How can that be?! And also, only 15?? This was a lifetime ago. But yes, I do still have this skirt. Do I wear it? Well, it's not as loose & free-flowing as it once was, and for fear of busting a seam I leave it neatly folded on the shelf of my closet so I can see it, know it, thank it and remember that at one point in my mom-career I had these free afternoons in July with nothing to fill them but creative endeavors and blog-spiration binges. 

Afternoons aren't like that anymore. They aren't quiet, and I'm certainly never alone for them. It's glorious & daunting and this week, as my kids are all away at various camps, I can slip easily into remembering the quiet reflection that would happen as I explored the deeper parts of my interests for often more than 1 whole hour a day. No direction or specific objective other than to be semi-productive in a way that served me and thereby, my family. 

This ol' blog post has (by way of pinterest) been perhaps the most 'viral' of things I've ever contributed. 10,000+ page visits and 10's of thousands more pins). The lesson in the easiest and (in my opinion) least well put together of things has been the most useful pin-worthy information of my career of information dispelation* is not lost on me. (*not a word??)

Anyway, there is nothing glamorous about it, but there is something very disarming for the not-so-savvy-sewer in this pattern, and I highly recommend you sew one. And, add pockets, just on the outside--roughly and without precision. If my girls (all now 15 years older than they were when I published this originally) were remotely interested in wearing a skirt that draped below their knees, I would make it an afternoon assignment for strengthening their stitching confidence.

But, in spite of my own modest disposition, or because of it, my girls are much more on trend then I'd have expected. While I wish the constant battle of 'You can NOT wear that where we're going' is would relent, I am grateful that I get to navigate this harder part of rearing women this day and age--I wasn't as much of a challenge for my parents as my own kids are for me bc I had some innate need for comfort over style--but I do find these conversations to actually deepen my own curiosity about what is modesty? What is the responsibility of women to uphold & keep track of it? How can we help our girls feel beautiful--all the time? Not just when they're gussied up, but when they're grunged out? 

I'm noticing a trend toward self-mutilation I find alarming. The definition of beauty looks less and less human on the covers of magazines and in social media feeds. Anyway, this original blog is about none of that, AND I wish this skirt could heal the hurt these women (me too) feel about their looks enough to bring them to a place of doing this to themselves. How do we make natural beauty trendy again??*

If you were to make this skirt, I hope you enjoy. If you're here for the story it is this: skirts, like looks, are better when they're comfortable, forgiving, a little rough around the edges and even practical. Wear the fancy stuff every now and again just to remember how fabulous it can be to drape just below the knee so sitting cross-legged on the floor is still totally doable. 

*note: I know and respect women who have had work done and exude confidence--however, I do believe that no matter what your stance on surgery is in terms of women's empowerment, the false narrative that is taught young girls on the covers of magazines, in reality tv shows, from stages, etc is no encouraging holism. To cut, alter & pump up a part of our body comes with innate risk and to tell that story with our bodies does perpetuate the normalcy of it which isn't empowering in the end. 


JULY 27th, 2010
I've been stockpiling fabric for some time, but specifically intended for skirt making for a couple months. I have a few staple skirts that I wear all the time through the summer--some of them quite simple & so comfortable. When I'm at a store with a discount fabric section I'm more or less obligated to buy 1-2 yards knowing it will at least be enough for children's clothing, or a skirt.

Well. This all brings me to confessing that I also recently made a dress. I was so stoked about it & anxious to finish it in time for a party where I just knew I'd impress everyone with an adorable dress made by my own resourceful hands. And I did finish, but it wasn't quite perfect, an adjustment needed to be made to make things line up right & this totally knocked the wind out of my sails (not to mention the less than over the top excitement I got from those to whom I revealed it privately. There was no harsh critique, or condemning look, just felt a reaction that led me to believe the dress wasn't as great as I'd thought)...so. It sits, awaiting the finishing touch that will make it wearable & good.

This has to do with the skirt because skirts are SO much less in your face. I can wear a skirt & someone may notice, but if I don't want them to I can power it down with a flashier top. A dress--now that's all or none, unless it's cardigan weather and, it's not cardigan weather--not even evening cardigan weather, or wee-small hours of the morning cardigan weather.

This is becoming a wordy post for such a simple pattern. But it's a great opportunity for you, sometimes I think you all miss out, due to my lack of worthwhile conversation pieces, on all my honestly inherited wit and sarcasm. I like to ramble & bramble, just ask anyone. But, in my old age & strengthening wisdom that comes as a result, I recognize how misguidedly I've often spoken and so now try to error on the side of silence, especially in mixed company--i.e. the internet.

Watch out, the flood gates may be opening. That is if you're even (still) here...

So, simple-undaunting-nothing shocking in that-skirt pattern.

So, simple-undaunting-nothing-shocking-in-that-skirt pattern.

Get your adorable (& cheap) fabric. Cotton is great, nothing stretchy. Fold in half, right sides together. Lay (fabric) on floor. Find favorite skirt & situate so that one side is along the folded edge of the fabric. Measure out 3 generous inches from the side that is not along the fold & 1 inch above the waist line (make it a straight waist line if it's not already). You can adjust the hem line by adding length there as well. Cut.

 

Simple pattern=simple happiness. The best kind really. & this can reasonably be done in 20 minutes if you live a very direct & undistracted life (lucky you), that's why I wash all my fabric when it comes home from the store. You never know how long you'll have to sew something up--washing & drying takes time and that's a step I never skip! ;) (click here for great tips on pre-washing that I just found)

& I must give credit/thanks here b/c her simple pattern reminded me to refer to my favorite skirt & that got the ball rolling--quickly, which is key because when not enthralled there's a danger I'll move on before completion.