the mermaid skirt.

[dancingleaf]

So I decided to give it a go.  Cut out my fabric, - sewed the main panels together.  Cut out the inserts, sewed those into place.  Too big around the middle.  Took it in. 

Discovered something important.   It is too short.  Here I thought I cut it on the long side - plus I was planning on a two inch waist band.  The length is not too bad in the front but... in order to reach the ground in the back... I'm going to need a waistband of 4 or more inches or have some major butt cleavage showing. 

The next dilemma is how to solve this problem exactly.  I could.... Add a four inch waistband all the way around and then gather it down in the front? .. I could... create a waistband that is wider in the back and narrower in the front from the start?  I could just finish it off (for a shortie) and give it to one of my students.  or I could sleep on it  and think it over...

I'm glad the fabric was cheap.  3 m is enough to do the skirt & insert panels, (and still have enough for a top & gauntlets and a little left yet.)

Edit to add: I'm winging this without a pattern - just stuff I've read on the net.  I also read a recommendation for Simplicity pattern 4401. - So if this really doesn't work I may go pick that up.

Comments

[kelsey-lynne1.livejournal.com]

Hope it turns out okay.

[dancingleaf.livejournal.com]

this was intended mainly as a pattern so - it's fine. Even just knowing that I need to cut the back sections longer is worth it.

I'm also going to try taking it in more at the knees too. I wanted to be sure that I had enough room to dance... but I want a more pronounced flare ... so...

That's why I'm doing it with cheap fabric, right?

[ata1anta.livejournal.com]

Exactly why you use cheap fabric.

If it doesn't look dorky, what about a bottom trim? It can be tapered longer in the back to cover up that it's too short.

[dancingleaf.livejournal.com]

maybe...

I'll give it some thought. Thanks for the suggestion.