Replies

1. 
   starzoe | Aug 13, 2007 09:29pm | #1

   What sort of flare were you interested in? An A-line is (sort of) flared but unless you use gores, godets or ruffles your choice of flares is limited. What about a circle skirt, or even a semi-circled skirt?A yoked skirt with a semi- or circle attached would give you a sleek fit over the hips and a flare, but it would depend on the weight of the fabric. You would need a fabric that moved otherwise it would be stiff.

2. 
   user-51823 | Aug 13, 2007 09:58pm | #2

   why don't you want bias? a circle skirt is easy and good looking, but part will have to be on the bias unless you cut numerous panels.

3. 
   Teaf5 | Aug 14, 2007 03:19am | #3

   Can you find a photo or website that shows the type of skirt shape you are looking for?  Taffeta and 40s or 50s styles don't seem to click in my memory...

1. 
   dayenu | Aug 14, 2007 03:48am | #4

   here are some pics, sadly most of the others I found were barbie doll skirts LOL

   
1. 
   starzoe | Aug 14, 2007 05:22am | #5

   Well, there you have it, two of the skirts are circle skirts and the other obviously has pleats. What is the weight of your fabric? Those circle skirts were sometimes made of felt, so a heavier fabric would do, but do you want the skirt to stand out from the body or to swirl gracefully around you?

1. 
   dayenu | Aug 14, 2007 06:02am | #6

   I want it to stand out with hollywood style drama.

1. 
   user-51823 | Aug 23, 2007 05:49pm | #11

   i've seen some costumes with a vintage look that had a layer of strong tulle sandwiched between the indide of the fashion fabric and a layer of stiff fusible interfacing.

4. 
   jatman | Aug 14, 2007 08:54am | #7

   Hi Dayenu - have you thought about getting a dress pattern and just making the skirt?  Vogue sells a bunch of Vintage Vogue dress patterns and while the patterns are old styles they are newly printed and won't smell musty or moldy or anything like that.  In fact, I think that several of the pattern companies have a 'vintage' section of new old patterns now.

   JT

   ETA:  I just looked at Simplicity and they actually have a retro skirt pattern that is kind of cute - it's pattern number 3748.

   Edited 8/14/2007 2:19 am ET by jatman

1. 
   dayenu | Aug 14, 2007 07:04pm | #8

   GREAT IDEA !!! that's exactly what I will do. I saw some great New "vintage vogue" dresses in the catalog the other day. Thanks for jolting my brain.

1. 
   Teaf5 | Aug 15, 2007 03:28am | #9

   I love that pleated dress--just simple black and white striped fabric pleated into a black bodice and striped skirt--gorgeous!

   The other suggestions for patterns are great; I think you're also going to need to make a crinoline to go under it to give it the pouf you like.  A recent thread on "pettislips" discussed many good methods; the easiest I've used is a flared rtw half slip with tiers of gathered nylon netting sewed on the lower half.

   Make sure to show us your results!

1. 
   dayenu | Aug 15, 2007 04:03am | #10

   Isn't that B&W dress to die for? I made a petticoat with layers of blue lace and tulle years ago to wear under a blue linen flared dress. I used to wear it when we did the tango. Glad you  understand the look I am aiming for.

   diana