Well… I can’t tell you how grateful I am for being given a Sewing Dare to sew a pencil skirt because if I hadn’t been given the sewing dare I would have never thought to make myself a high waisted pencil skirt… yet alone one with boning in the waistband!
This is the finished result of my high waisted pencil skirt with boning… what do you think? I think I’ve pulled this look off and can wear it with pride 🙂
When I put this ensemble on and looked in the mirror I could hardly believe it was me… it was only 12mths ago that I was 25kgs heavier than I am now and would have never imagined myself wearing a pencil skirt yet alone one like this or even look like this wearing one. What about those shoes?? I just love them… especially as they have a little animal print and what a bargain they were marked down to $5 from Kmart!
I’m kinda hooked on animal print ever since Jungle January hosted by the gorgeous and super funny Anne from Pretty Grievances. Anne is now hosting a Spotted Carpet event where she’s showcasing many of the people who joined in on the wild animalistic fun and has even included little old me here
Anyway… back to this high waisted pencil skirt
I had initially planned on using this lining for the skirt but the lining ended up becoming the fashion fabric for first pencil skirt I made as my sewing dare and was a great way to test out the pattern I chose which was from Gerties New Book for Better Sewing by Gretchen Hirsch and included the pattern and the option for the high waist.
So after a change of plans I needed to find another fabric for the lining of the red skirt and I just happened to have this pretty red and white fabric in my stash which was a perfect match.
After sewing the lining it was time to get started on working on the waistband and the boning and I chose to use steel boning. I was a little nervous and excited all rolled into one as I’d never sewn anything using boning before yet alone steel boning… so armed with all my tools I set off to get started.
Here’s all the waistband pieces with interfacing and interlining all ready to go and ready for the boning…
Below is my set up and equipment for preparing and cutting the boning. It wasn’t easy cutting the boning, actually it’s a real pain to cut and to try and get it to the exact size I wanted was near mission impossible… I can tell you there was a lot of grunting and groaning going on as I squeezed and squished my hardest to cut and clip and crimp those little suckers together. I evenly spaced out all the boning pieces and pinned them into place on the back waistband piece which I had already added the fusible interfacing.
I added a thin layer of fusible wadding over the top of the boning once I had basted them into place to ensure the boning didn’t show through on the right side of the waist band… it actually worked out really well as you can’t see the boning at all from the right side even after pressing. This is what it looks like from the inside after the boning and all the pieces were sewn together, the lining attached, and the seams trimmed, clipped and notched.
This is what the waistband looks like from the inside. You can see it doesn’t look as smooth and pretty as the front due to the boning and batting that I added… but it sure does make a difference from the front as you can’t see any signs of any boning being added and I can’t feel the boning against me either (nicely padded). And how cute does that lining fabric look? Makes me feel like going to a tropical island and want to sip on cocktails while I’m wearing this.
Here’s a little sneaky peak under my skirt… no laughing at those sexy legs of mine… oh alright you can… I did LOL… and check out those shoes again!
Here’a a full view of my rear end… you’ve gotta see both sides as you just never know what’s going on from behind LOL
So there you go… my first high waisted pencil skirt including boning all completed and ready to wear.
Would I make another pencil skirt and use boning again? I definitely would and will be for sure 🙂
I’m actually drafting my own pencil skirt pattern for my Fearless February challenge… so there will definitely be another pencil skirt for sure.
I don’t think we could ever have too many of these skirts in our wardrobes… what do you reckon?
The skirt is lovely!
Thanks Laura… I’m really happy with the outcome of this one 🙂
Holy…….(insert expletive here)!!! This skirt is fantastic!! It looks so elegant and va va voom! Fabric choice and the style suit you so well! Hubby MUST take you out for fancy dinner this evening. Tell him, Kitty said so!! 🙂
Hahahaha I think my hubby said the same thing when he came home and saw me all dressed up so he could take some pics for me as it was the first time he’d seen the skirt on me yet alone all dressed up wearing it… I usually show him progress of the things I’m making when I’m trying them on for it etc but I didn’t with this one he only saw me making it. The red fabric was from Nancy’s Sewing Notion and it’s not easy having to buy all your fabric online as you never know what it’s really going to be like until you get it… I’ve also got a black piece of this fabric and might use it for the next pencil skirt. I’ll be sure to tell hubby he’s got to take me out for dinner on Saturday night because Kitty said so and what Kitty says goes… Kitty Rules LOL And thank you for your kind words and support too and now because of you I have two gorgeous pencil skirts… one casual one and this dressy one. Thank YOU!
Lol. You’re so cute!
This looks so awesome on you! It’s a really beautiful skirt and it’s very flattering on you. Gorgeous!!
Thank you Jenny and wearing it makes me feel that way too. It’s amazing how putting on an outfit makes you feel… it’s like when I wear my comfy house clothes I tend to slouch and lounge around but when I get dressed up I seem to want to stand tall and put my shoulders back and stand up nice and straight… it really is amazing what a difference something we wear can make 🙂
I’m in agreement – you can NEVER HAVE TOO MANY PENCILS! And you look so gorgeous in yours. I think you are to be commended! I’ve never done anything with boning.
Oh Faye thank you so much for your kind words and glad you agree… I can definitely see a lot more pencil skirts filling up my wardrobe and by the sounds of things you’ve probably got quite a few as well 🙂 Now that I’ve used boning I think I’ll definitely be using it a little more for more especially for more structured and fitted garment which I think I’d love to try more of. You’re such a talented sewer and I’m sure you wouldn’t have any trouble working with boning at all 🙂
I love your skirt & you wear it well. You should be proud you did a great job & it looks great on you!
Thanks Omega… I wasn’t how I’d look wearing something like this… it goes to show it’s well worth giving something a try and testing it out as you just never know. I am actually quite proud of this one as I got the fit right and loved working on the extra details in it and learned a few new skills that I hadn’t tried before like working with boning. Thank you again and for your support and encouragement 🙂
Absolutely stunning. My favourite kinda skirt. And in red and wow… a boned waistband. This skirt is perfect and you look a million dollars… and of course, I love your shoes 🙂
This is definitely now my kinda skirt as well… and thought the red would be a perfect compliment for it as there seems to be quite a bit of red around at the moment. Oh and those shoes… I still can’t believe I only paid $5 for them and they are actually quite comfortable to wear which is a bonus LOL
Its truly fabulous Chris….love RED!!!! and it looks terrific on you……I cant believe the patience you have …. as you know I love sewing…but sometimes I want it done now!!!!!
Julie 🙂
Oh Julie I can so relate to wanting it done now!!! I use to be like that and get really impatient and just want to start and finish sewing something in a day so I could wear it that night LOL… but I seem to have gotten over that and now rather spend a little extra time on the finer details and put in some research and learning new tips and tricks along the way… I don’t know what made the change happen… whether it just came with doing a lot more sewing, or my age, or having a little more free time living in a remote town… who knows what it was but I sure am grateful for it LOL. And thank you for the kind words and the support and encouragement you’ve shown me along my sewing journey as I really appreciate it 🙂
Chris you look SO lovely!!!!! You’re practically radiating. Your skirt turned out great! Your talent definitely stood up to that dare! Red is definitely your color (wink)! Can’t wait to see the skirt you draft!!!!
Thank you so much Victoria and I’m so grateful for the Sewing Dare and can’t wait to finish drafting my pattern as well. I’ve done quite a bit of reading and researching on this so as I get it right… I’ve drafted my draft LOL and this weekend I’m hoping to finish the pattern and make it next week. I’ve got a lovely black fabric I’ve chosen (the same as this red fabric) unless of course I change my mind as can easily happen at times like with this skirt for the lining LOL. I think I can see a little more red coming into my wardrobe as I’m loving it too… winking right back at you 🙂
Another beautiful skirt. You really do suit those dramatic colour combinations. Not sure I could summon the patience for boning myself, and would probably never have cause to wear such a formal skirt, but it looks very good on you and I hope your hubby takes you somewhere special to show it off!
Thank you Fiona and I’m loving the dramatic colours too. I don’t really have much cause to wear this skirt and it probably won’t get worn as much as I’d like to but I’m definitely going to wear it out for dinner this weekend… hubby doesn’t know it but he’s taking me out on Saturday night LOL. It’s nice to know there’s something special hanging in my wardrobe for anytime the need arises… just have to hope it still fits when I got to wear it again next time 🙂
Lady you look classy fabulous! This is one elegant look on you- feel the envy? I want one now! Where are my pliers!?
Oh I’m feeling the envy mixed in with love LOL… come on over and you can borrow my pliers and nippers and we can have some sewing fun :)… imagine the mischief we could get up to if we lived near each other… mmm double trouble hahahaha
Chris,
That skirt is fantastic!!! Hurray for celebrating a weight loss with a red skirt!
I loved the photos of the waistband construction! Boning is such a useful addition to many designs. You started out on the right foot using that wonderful metal boning for your first attempt!
The red and white lining is perfect, and the skirt that you made using your “lining” as your fashion fabric is super, too!
Those shoes are awesome. I can look forward to wearing something like that in about three months when I can take off my winter boots!
Thank you so much Patty and thank you for the beautiful email you sent me… really appreciate it! I did quite a bit of research on the boning and it seems that even though steel boning was meant to be harder to work with (cutting mainly) the end results were meant to be better for comfort and flexibility and I’m glad I chose it now as it really is. And I just love this lining fabric too as it really is fun to see it on the inside and even though no one else see it I like knowing how good it looks in there LOL. Oh and those shoes… aren’t they great! Unfortunately it doesn’t really get cold enough here to wear boots and I wish it did… and I’d love to be able to make a gorgeous jacket like the one you made with your daughter, I loved it and it looks beautiful on her. I bet she she was happy to have you over to enjoy a sewing weekend together and loves her jacket too 🙂
The skirt looks fantastic!!
Thanks Sarah… I have to admit I really love this one 🙂
Hi Chris, I found your blog via the Fearless February challenge, which I have also joined. Haven’t found many other Australian sewists in this challenge. I love this skirt – it does look so gorgeous on you. High waisted skirts do need boning or otherwise they just crumple up. Shall watch your blog – pop over and say hi to me one day. Like you, I like to make new sewing friends.
Hi Sarah, I hope you’re enjoying your Fearless February challenge. I’m so glad I signed up to take on the challenge and happy to report I’m making great progress… will have to share an update on where I’m at with drafting my own pattern for a pencil skirt. You are so right about a high waisted pencil skirt having to have boning and this is definitely the case for me with my waistline. If I didn’t have the boning the waistband would definitely fold over when ever I bent over or sat down. Thank you for the lovely compliment too and I’d love to pop over and visit your site and say “Hi” as it always great to make new sewing friends and always good to meet a fellow Aussie sewist 🙂
Thanks Chris, I look forward to seeing your next skirt and meeting you here and there (my blog). I agree, it is nice to meet another “local” – although you live in a much drier part!
You’re welcome Sarah and it’s definitely one of the driest parts of the country… although at the moment you wouldn’t think so as Cyclone Rusty is in full swing and bringing quite a bit of rain (and destruction) on her way. Looking forward to having clear blue skies again 🙂
You are looking super fab! Love the shoes too!
Thanks Lisa and I just love those shoes too 🙂
Just added my #inlinkz link: http://t.co/VxG1nBMemR here: http://t.co/rw1U7ueWXO via @inlinkz
This is an awesome skirt. I feel the best part of handmade garments is we can customize it the max extent to flatter our figure 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing it on my sew book inspired link party
Thanks Diya and yes I agree for sure and it’s actually a lot of fun customising patterns. Thank you as well for hosting the link party 🙂
You look studding