The Mystery Skirt -part 1
I have been reading Stylish Skirts by Sato Wantanbe.
Sewbusylizzie reviewed it here
I’m rather partial to Japanese pattern books, with their clear visual instructions, occasional quirky designs and forlorn looking models. Stylish Skirts (which uses dressmakers models instead of the forlorn models) is a little different to other Japanese pattern books in that there’s no pattern sheet. Instead, all the skirts have their own drafting instructions.
And, as it would happen, the one skirt that I most wanted to make (Tweed skirt with panel detail) is the only one with no drafting instructions or measurements. There’s just a sketch to show how the pieces go together. It appears to be a spontaneous juxtaposition of triangles and rectangles. Spontaneity can’t just be left to the last minute, so from looking carefully at the front and back photographs, and standing in front of the mirror with a tape measure, I’ve come up with this:
I suspect it might be too tight around the hips since the rectangular panels have no waist shaping, but it depends how the triangular pieces work out.
The fabric I have in mind is some deep navy blue striped suiting purchased recently from the op shop. It must have been in someone’s stash for many years, certainly pre-1966 because the price tag is in pounds and shillings.
Hambours is still around, but now sells school uniforms.
Next time in Part 2, I’ll show you the toile/muslin/calico of The Mystery Skirt (I hope it works out!)
Maybe all those forlorn models are trying to emulate this dressmakers model???? 😉
Hi Juliet,
Ha! Ha! To be fair they don’t always have forlorn models in these books, although they often look serious.
Cheers!
Wow Liz! That fabric is quite a find! I can’t wait to see how the skirt works out. I love Japanese patterns but this one looks complicated! Have fun!
Hi Rebecca, thanks for leaving a comment. I didn’t realise quite how old or lovely the fabric was until I got it home. I cut it out yesterday and there’s enough left for something else -a neat fitting jacket maybe?
Looking forward to seeing the finished product. I remember Hambours just scratching my brain to remember where they were.
Hi Cathy, great to hear from you.
There used to be Steve Hambour’s Fabrics across the road from Marleston TAFE where I was a fashion student. We often used to go there at lunchtime. I don’t think he’s there now, and I don’t think it’s connected to the other Hambours.
“Spontaneity just can’t be left till the last minute” … absolute gold Liz, that is my new favourite saying!
Hi Scott,
I can’t claim the spontaneity saying as my own, but I know you’ll have fun using it!
Thanks for reading my blog.