haha you guys… i actually finished this *almost* a year ago. why didn’t i post it? BECAUSE THIS PATTERN IS SERIOUSLY FLAWED, THAT’S WHY.
anyway.
vogue 7313, circa 1988
i *love* how dramatic this pattern is. eventually, i would like to try the full skirt with the suspenders (too much? oh well). the pants i could live without, but clearly the previous owner was all about them. i bought this pattern at my favorite secret thrift store for 25¢ are you jealous
Pattern Description: very easy, very vogue 7313, fitted and flared or tapered skirt, above mid-knee or tapered pants have shaped, partial waistband. A,B: front princess seams. C: front pleats, B, C: straps with back-button closing. i made view A.
Pattern Sizing: 6-8-10, mine was already cut in a 10 so i used that.
FLAW #1: i always go by the “finished measurements” when cutting my pattern, since the suggested measurements always allow for way too much ease and i like my clothes to be supa fitted. the measurements on this pattern corresponded exactly with my waist/hips measurements with just enough ease for me to move around/sit/walk. someone lied to me, obvs, bc the stupid thing ended up being way too freaking small and i had to let out the seams like a mofo. my 5/8″ seams are now a scant 1/4″ waaah. as a result, the inside of the skirt is super ugly and no you can’t see it.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? actually, it looked exactly like it. i even made mine in red!
Were the instructions easy to follow? well my pattern only came with the first page of instructions… those were easy. the second page was MIA so i had to invent them myself and they were easy too.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? the sizing was complete bullshit. also:
FLAW #2: this skirt, with this kind of fit, does NOT need buttons down the front. mine gaped sooo bad. this is the #1 reason why i finished the skirt (including the hem!) and then stuffed it in a drawer for a year. every single button had a huge gape and you could clearly see my undies ughhh.
but you know what? i love the design of the skirt. i love the high waist and i do think the buttons are cute. the darts in the back are particularly flattering to mah azz.
Fabric Used: i used a lightweight lipstick red 100% wool. it is soft and supple and GORGEOUS. also it was mega cheap bc it is actually from a pair of loose-fitting plus size pants from talbots that i snagged from the $1 section at goodwill 🙂 i still have the lining and invisible zipper 🙂 haha
the buttons are just plain ol’ fabric covered buttons with black fabric. i couldn’t find any solid black shank buttons that i liked.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: i had to reduce the seams around the ass/waist to 1/4″ bc the original skirt was waay too small. it fits now, but it is tight and may or may not be appropriate for work (what do you think? comments plz). it does make my butt look amazing, tho.
as far as the buttons go, i ended up sewing hooks and eyes (snaps DO NOT work as they tend to unsnap as soon as they are snapped… ehhh) between the buttons to control the gapage. i think it is ok now. it looks a little tight/pulling/wrinkled in the picture, but irl it doesn’t look that bad.
Would you sew it again? not this specific one, because i don’t need more than one skirt like this, but i might make the full skirt version if i can find a fabric i like.
Conclusion: this skirt makes me feel hott. someone take me on a date asap thnx.
pictures:
haha i had to move bc the sunlight was crampin’ my style
bootay!
i just realized i didn’t get a picture of the back… so dum, since the back is the most flattering part. o well.
bonus:
here is a picture of me in the skirt. my legs look awesome bc the photo was heavily edited wheeee!
LLADYBIRD 
This looks GRRREEEEAAAT. I’ll take you on that date.
well HOT DAMN let’s go! 😀
who’d ever thunk that was an 80s pattern?! that looks so now and ~fashion forward~ on you. i love it so much! werk it gwarl! *snaps*
haha right? i love that the 80s are totally back in style 🙂
That looks fantastic! I always have issues with sizing with patterns. Some are spot on, others are huge. I just made a simplicity skirt and had to take it in so much even though I cut the size that matched my measurements. Its so frusturating!
that’s why i use the finished measurements instead of the “suggested” measurements. those pattern companies are crazy with the amounts of ease they shove into every garment. i don’t understand why they do it??? very frustrating!
do you think it would work if the skirt did not actually button up the front and was instead sewn closed, but looks like it is buttoned? I assume a hidden side zip wouldn’t be too hard to add and that I think would eliminate the gap problem.
It looks really cute though and I think I may have to search my thrift stores for one like it.
i think it would, and that’s what i originally wanted to do (and why i stuffed it in a drawer for a year haha) but i don’t have enough seam allowance to insert a zipper, since the dang thing was way too small. i may sew up the bottom buttons and just keep the top 2 “real” buttons.
Love it! I may have to go searching for fabric treasures at Goodwill now. 🙂
I found your blog a couple hours ago through Colette flickr. I am amazed by this skirt. I tried to find the pattern, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. No I am trying to create a replica from your photos. It is not easy 🙂