Let’s just start at the beginning, shall we? I saw a sequined skirt at some store and thought, hey, that’s kind of cute, so I decided to make one. I got the fabric, Peter took one look at it and asked, “Have you lost your mind?” I told him I was going to make a skirt, and then he asked, “Where are you going to wear it? 82nd Avenue?” (82nd Avenue, for those of you not from Portland, is where the, ahem, working girls patrol). Then he declared, “I am NOT going ANYWHERE with you wearing that.” There were also some comments about Halloween costumes.
But, like a bird drawn to shiny things, I was not to be deterred! It was actually a fun experiment, and I learned many things. First, sequined fabric is kind of a pain to sew. That is probably not a big surprise. I basically just sewed a tube and added lining and a ribbing waistband. For the one seam, I cut away all the sequins so I wouldn’t have to sew over any. This gave me a nice edge to sew, but dang if it didn’t pucker. I ripped and retried, but there was still a bit of a pucker. I decided to let it go, hoping the shimmers would just make people dizzy, plus let’s be real, who’s looking at my butt, anyway.
For the waistband, I ordered some heavy nylon ribbing. I knew the sequins were going to be heavy, so I wanted a nice, thick ribbing. Unfortunately, the ribbing I got was very stretchy and not really hefty enough, and I was afraid the skirt was going to fall off. I ended up pinning it to my shirt so it wouldn’t slide down! If you decide to make one, be sure to get VERY heavy duty ribbing. For the hem, I didn’t want to deal with anything complicated, so I tried to make sure sequins were out of the way then just did a rolled edge on my serger. And voila!
The whole thing cost me about $20 to make. I wore it to a wedding and initially felt a little ridiculous, but the more people drank, the more compliments I got, and that worked for me.
I think it’s cute! I think it’s cuter that you had to pin it to your shirt though 🙂
You need to make sequined suspenders to hold it up. Peter would love that.
that skirt is AWESOME! i’m glad it didn’t fall off at the wedding. :o)
I too, think you should make sequined suspenders. But for Pete to wear.
I think it’s great! So cute with the black top and boots.
I love it! And I love that you wore it to a wedding!
I’ve knitted sequin ribbon into a top before, so this doesn’t surprise me at all. I think that you might have been better off with either the fabric you chose with some heavy duty interfacing sandwiched in the middle or maybe something like a matching corduroy to give it that strength. Now you just need to make a matching bustier and give him really something to go wah wah over.
Woohoo! I like it!
okay- I have been WAITING for this photo!! so cute! and not trashy at all! I am sort of sad it’s not more trashy. quite elegant. I totally am going to have to copy this–maybe in a champagne color?? very very nice!
Were you the entertainment at the wedding? Cher impersonator? Well, better that than my last outfit to a wedding. So drab I’m surprised I wasn’t mistaken for one of the wait staff.
Hi. I think it looks fantastic!
love the skirt on you! maybe try wearing the seam on the side instead of the back?
how ’bout a drawstring through the top of the ribbing?
I love it! Sewing with sequins sounds like a real pain but it looks like it paid off!
I’ll bet you could get some mileage out of this over the holidays. It turned out cute. If Pete thinks working girls wear sequins and feather boas I think we can rest assured he hasn’t been cruisin’ 82nd.
I am laughing that Amy wishes it was more trashy. The picture in my mind is nothing like the real thing. It looks so cute. And it takes some kind of lady to pull all that shine off.
You looked super cute!!
I’ve been wanting a sequined skirt or dress!!! I love the color!
omg you are such a brave girl! you rock the look! plus think how good it will look for caroling, valentine’s and 4th of july. that $20 was totally worth it! for 4th of july i’m thinking blue suspenders and white t-shirt. no?
I think you look hot! Peter doesn’t know what he is talking about when it comes to fashion!
Ha! I like your last sentence, what a hoot! You’re funny. As always, thanks for being the guinea pig so the rest of us know what to do in case we, too, get a hankering for sequins.
I LOVE this skirt. It looks awesome with those boots. I want to make one in gold!
pretty skirt. i think it would look even better on you if it’s a little (or much) shorter, though.
I think you look great! I didn’t know sequins could look so hip.
I’m assuming Peter ate his words.
note: what about running some elastic through through the ribbing?
on you, darlink.!!! it looks fabulous!!! (and i am not just saying that) i think it looks very festive…