Category: Skirts

Click the links below to jump to learn about sewing vintage style skirts from specific pattern companies:

  • The Billie Collection Skirt by The Fold Line

    The Billie Collection Skirt by The Fold Line

    The Fold Line, The Billie Collection Skirt, House of Pinheiro, skirt | Vintage on Tap

    So excited for autumn! The Fold Line, The Billie Collection Skirt, House of Pinheiro, skirt | Vintage on Tap

    The Billie Collection, House of Pinheiro, skirt made in wool | Vintage on Tap

    The Billie Collection, House of Pinheiro, skirt made in wool | Vintage on Tap

    Flowers in San Francisco | Vintage on Tap

    40s pinup style, The Billie Collection by The Fold Line made in grey wool | Vintage on Tap

    Back view with exposed zipper, The Billie Collection by The Fold Line made in grey wool | Vintage on Tap

    Exposed zipper detail, The Billie Collection by The Fold Line made in grey wool | Vintage on Tap

    Pocket fabric detail, House of Pinheiro The Fold Line | Vintage on Tap

    Erstwilder Owl novelty brooch | Vintage on Tap

    Happy for autumn! The Billie Collection skirt by Tribe Patterns | Vintage on Tap

    If you’re building an autumn wardrobe, a good place to start is The Billie Collection Skirt by The Fold Line.

    Seasonal changes for me always start with packing up my off-season clothing and putting it away for next year. There’s nothing quite like only having rich, warm colors and fabrics at your finger tips when you’re ready to rock a pumpkin spice latte (viewer discretion is advised ? ?) But autumn brings more than PSL, though: it brings thick wool fabrics, comfy scarves, and hats.

    While packing things away, I realized that I was missing transitional pieces which are imperative to San Francisco. Luckily, The Fold Line came to the rescue with their new Tribe Patterns venture! It was no coincidence that the moment I was shoving spring clothes into a box in my closet, I got the e-mail from The Fold Line, announcing their collaboration with House of Pinheiro. The Billie Collection is their inaugural collection, “Designed by the Sewing Community”– which I absolutely adore. The next collection is currently being sourced by a competition which closes out on Nov 4th, 2016 and will then be voted on!

    The dress and peplum top are lovely- but I knew The Billie Collection skirt was what I needed, ASAP! Within an hour of buying the pattern, I had all ready printed out the PDF and was taping it together.

    What I loved about the pattern was that it was super straight forward and the directions were written with an intermediate seamstress in mind. There were no unnecessary photos or explanations and everything was “searchable,” meaning that there was enough explanation of each step that doing an online search to find additional information was easy to do. For example, the exposed zipper, which I had never done before. I was able to watch a quick video online and was able to start sewing right away.

    For changes, I added 7″ (17.5cm) in length to make it more suitable to my height and for the season. Also, I changed the hem depth to 1.5″ (3.5cm) which I prefer more in general. I also used rayon hem tape to hand sew my hem in place and used a contrasting rayon printed fabric for the pockets.

    Things that took a little bit of adjusting while I worked on this skirt from The Billie Collection was in the organization of the instructions. The size charts, cutting layouts, and general notes were at the back of the packet and I had to awkwardly look for them every time I needed to reference something. Quick fix, though- just staple those sheets in the front (technically out of order) Also, the instructions for the exposed zipper at the waistband were a little bit awkward as well. I recommend leaving the ends of the waistband open at the Center Back so you can sew the zipper up to the top of the waistband, then fold the waistband down and sew by hand, encasing the zipper completely.

    For pattern adjustments, I didn’t do any, which in general was fine except for the back panels which need a little more… “fullness” for my booty. Not a deal breaker, though, and I will gladly make this piece again.

     


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  • Completed: Dirndl Skirt

    Completed: Dirndl Skirt

    Dirndl Skirt, 50s retro style | @vintageontap

    Dirndl Skirt with Goorin Brothers Hat | @vintageontap

    Dirndl Skirt, hand picked zipper | @vintageontap

    Dirndl Skirt, pattern pieces | @vintageontap

    Dirndl Skirt, 50s Fashion | @vintageontap

    Dirndl Skirt, 50s Inspired | @vintageontap

    Dirndl Skirt, self drafted 50s style skirt | @vintageontap

    The dirndl skirt is a wardrobe staple.

    Using fabric I had in my stash (one of which I picked up in the LA garment district)- I sewed up a couple dirndl skirts to continue filling the holes in my closet. Silhouette 1 for The Colette Wardrobe Architect is complete!

    Happily, the dirndl skirt is a pretty straight forward design; I was able to draft the pattern in less than an hour and sew both skirts super quickly. Basic rectangle waistband and gathered rectangles. Lots of hand stitching at the waistband, hem, and handpicked zipper help give these skirts the little construction details I love to admire.

    It was also very nice to make pieces like these, because they were a nice break from longer, more complicated projects which, while rewarding, can be a time suck! Both skirts were whipped up casually over two evenings and a few episodes of The Walking Dead. Now that the pattern pieces are drafted out, I’ll be making more for daily use. I may lengthen the skirt, though– as these hit me just slightly above the knee; I could go with a little bit more of a tea-length.

    For the photos I wore the Astoria sweaters I made a few weeks back which are coming in handy all the time. These sorts of skirts the sweaters tuck in really easily which helps give that small-waist visual effect.

    The petticoat I used for these photos was from The Black Ribbon and is MAXIMUM poof. Designed for EGL, it made me feel like a cupcake (which I loved.) The chiffon used to make it is amazingly soft and light weight, and packs really well. I haven’t ever had a problem with this loosing its poof and its super easy to wash. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a workhorse petticoat! And for size reference, I’m 5-foot 2-inches tall.

    I have a couple more versions of this dirndl skirt I want to sew, but those will come when I have time!