McCalls 3830 -- Leopard Print Skirt

I am such a slow blogger that I have a couple of makes from before Christmas (as in late November/early December) that I am just now getting around to posting.  I like to record my projects on my blog, so.......if you are bored to tears by these sewing posts, I try to clue you in by the title so that you will know what you're in for.  However, if you do like to read about sewing, read on:)

Sorry for the slight blur of the photos

Even though I am late to the party, I wanted to join in the animal print trend.  Last year I bought some leopard print fabric from Joann Fabrics.  I'm not sure what you would call it.  It's not a knit, more along the lines of a microsuede, but I'm not sure if that's exactly right either.  Anyway, a fabric suitable for a skirt or a bag or even a structured jacket, but not right for a flowy dress.

I really just wanted a plain straight skirt.  I have not totally given up on A-lines, but so far I have not found one that flatters my poor body at all.  I chose McCalls 3830, which is a very basic but useful skirt pattern to have in your arsenal.  I chose view D because all the longer views have a kick pleat in the back and I didn't want to fool with that.  I did lengthen view D to hit me right above the knee.

Despite the supposed simplicity of skirts, I approach skirt-making with trepidation because skirts have to fit:  too loose and they fall off or twist around, too tight and you (as in, I) will look like a stuffed sausage.  It's a fine line.  Also, how to choose a size?  For dresses I usually choose a size 14 but then I add an inch to each side seam. I think I chose the skirt the same way, which put me in a size 18 for the skirt.

The skirt has a zipper up the center back and front and back darts.  One small change I made was to use hem tape at the waistband instead of facings as per the pattern instructions.  This worked great, so great that I decided to use hem tape on the hem as well, particularly as I did not add as much to the length as I should have.  However, the hem tape on the actual hem was my downfall.  I think maybe I made the hem tape too tight or something, but the hem looked AWFUL.  I redid it and redid it until it was passable, but I really wish I had just folded the hem up and sewn it down.  I always find a way to sabotage the simplest tasks;)

Anyway, I am hoping to get multi-season use out of this skirt.  Here I have worn it with black, but I think it can also look good with red, cobalt blue, denim, and even some other color combinations I haven't thought of seen on Pinterest yet.  I have quite a bit of the leopard fabric left, so I may eventually get around to making a bag out of the rest.

The camera was not cooperating with me 

My 12-year-old informed me that he thinks leopard print skirts are tacky(!).  I, on the other hand, think they are cool fun (so there you have it ........I hope I'm not alone:)  In fact, Anne of Pretty Grievances is hosting a whole month of animal print garment sewing (just go to her blog and click on Jungle January on the sidebar).  I would enter but since I didn't actually make this skirt in January, I will just have to be there in spirit;)  It is hard to explain to a twelve-year-old that 48-year-olds often feel the need for a little zip in their life and in their appearance.  (At least I do, do you?)