This one is Irish linen – navy pinstripe.
How is it different to the others?
It has a zip in the side. The lavender one has press studs and the wool one has wooden buttons.The lavender skirt doesn’t have a back pleat.
The zip was a lucky charity shop find and dates from the 1960s (still in its original packaging). It works fine, but I rubbed the teeth with a pencil point to ensure smooth running.
I sewed this one on my modern Pfaff and finished the seams with a machine zigzag stitch. I did insert the zip by hand (because I am rubbish at zips) and hemmed the bottom by hand too. I sewed the lavender skirt on my 1930s Singer and finished all seams by hand overcasting. I sewed the wool skirt 100% by hand.
I think I might have made a mess of this skirt if I hadn’t made the other two very slowly beforehand. I have had plenty of practice with the pleats now.
I’ve been very encouraged by the support of EmilyAnn in Brooklyn who’s sewing 1930s along with me. Take a look at her marvellous recreation of a 1930s dress. Wonderful sewing and technical details.
Which is my favourite?
I love the wool skirt so much but I did need a slightly lighter version for warmer weather.
What next?
I’ve been trying to work out what I need in my wardrobe and I think a dress and jacket for a summer wedding need to be high priority. I’m also planning a garden dyed skirt (or maybe wide trousers) and a top but whilst I might make them now, the actual dyeing will probably take all summer.
I’m planning plenty of posts about garden dyeing for this year, so look out for that if you’re interested.
Thanks for dropping by,
Norma x
You are the cutest, I love this!!
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Thank you
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As a lover of 1930s fashion, I am inspired by these. Just lovely!
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Thank you. I’d like to do more 1930s but patterns are a problem as I hate PDF.
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I love that old singer!
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Thanks – it works brilliantly
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I like all three skirts. I also like the white top you are wearing with the pinstripe Irish linen. Can’t wait to see the summer dyeing.
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Thanks! I can’t wait to get started on it.
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Yay, another 1930s skirt. I love it! Pinstripe is always a favourite of mine but I think the lavender one will always be my favourite. xx
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Ahh but the lavender one doesn’t have a back pleat so it’s hard to like it best.
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You are so clever, Norma! I can’t wait for the dyeing instructions this summer. Working with natural dyes is on my list of new things to learn. Will you be posting a list of garden plants for us in early spring so we can grow some of them too? š
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Might be a bit different for you. I know a lot of U.S. states don’t allow woad for instance but it has it’s work cut out to survive in my garden. I will aim to find some resources for plants in other countries.
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You are kind to offer to research sources for us. Thank you! I order most of my herbs from Richters in Canada. I just checked and they have woad seed for sale with no restrictions to my state.
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That’s good to find out. My woad was eaten by hairy caterpillars
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Sad! š¦
Hopefully you got pretty caterpillars out of the loss.
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I love your skirts, but even more I love the photo taken in the garden! Cute sewing machine too!
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Thanks
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