Wind making wrap skirt too revealing!
nmog
| Posted in General Sewing Info on
I am looking at making Butterick 4615, a three layer wrap skirt that fastens with one (actually two) buttons in the waistband. However, the last time I made a wrap skirt a sudden gust of wind made me decidedly more friendly that I wanted to be! Are there any suggestions for a simple way to fix this? I was thinking about putting a snap on the bottom layer roughly at knee height, but I’m not sure that would work. I could also cut the fabric so it overlaps more, but that wouldn’t give me much extra. Any ideas? Thank you!
Nicole
Replies
Hi Nicole,
That is a skirt pattern I also admired.
The only thing I could think of was maybe making a single crochet thread chain of whatever length is necessary - with a snap on it - and have the other part of the snap attached to the inside layer of the skirt somehow/somewhere. This would allow for the skirt to have some 'freedom' in movement, but should prevent it from flying open.
The other thing with a front wrap skirt is how when you sit down it tends to split open - at least I had that happen back in high school in the 70's - after that I decided only back wrap skirts since I could sit without that happening.
You could make a couple of those thread chains and have one for the inner fabric layer and have it snap to the side seam, and the second thread chain could snap to the inside fabric of the outer wrap layer.
I hope that doesn't seem confusing. If necessary, I could draw some pictures.
sosewnem
Another thing that might help..maybe,.. would be a weight in the hem like is used sometimes in jacket hems or drapery hems. Just a thought.
If you are able to draft your own pattern, you might care to try adding a large pleat (about 10 cm deap) where you would like the 'overlap' to end, creating a wrap around 'look' without being so revealing. (I personally like to sew down from the top of the pleat, 20 cm down with a topstitch so that the pleat doesn't flap open from the waist)
shelly
I have a wrap skirt that I designed years ago and love. I've never had a problem with "over-exposure" with this skirt and will make it again if I can ever find my pattern. I designed the underlayer of the front to extend all the way to the side seam and button at the waist. The upper layer overlaps to about three inches from the opposite side seam. It also is fastened with a button.
I haven't looked at your specific pattern to see how wide the overlap is, but extending it is an option to provide more coverage.
Thank you everyone for your quick solutions. I'm processing them all right now. I seem to need to think about things longer these days....Hmmmm. I guess that's the way it goes with 2 toddlers in the house!I chose 3 different fabrics (polyester and chiffons), and I put the heaviest one as the bottom layer of the skirt, so I'm hoping that will help. I may also do the pleat or chain idea, but I will see how the fabrics do on the bias first. I've cut them out and am letting them hang for a few days before sewing them.Thank you for all of the help. I really appreciate it!Nicole
In early 70s made reversible wrap skirts by the ton - they tied at waist and the wrap went totally across the front. I used them when I was traveling and because they had two wearable sides - 2 layers of fabric I never had a problem with wind taking unfair advantage - it was a Simplicity pattern (I think) and I have lost it - always the ones you really love and would use again are the ones missing.
...my solution was using a decorative pin - like a kilt pin ... looks pretty and stops "overexposure" .... L.
That's such an easy idea! Perhaps I'm over thinking this...
Nicole
A lot of good suggestions so far, and here is one more: After you have finished and hemmed it, try on the skirt, and then pin the upper layer to the under layer from about 7" below the waistline downward. Leave the upper 7" open so that you can get the unbuttoned skirt back down over your hips or over your head!
Then stitch along the hem of the overlapping half, catching the underneath half for at least a few inches. This will keep the wind from undressing you. If you have three layers of fabric, do this only with the bottom-most fabric of the overlapping half so that it seals the underskirt while leaving the upper fabrics to catch the wind, which is pretty.
The disadvantage of this technique is that you have to button the skirt in the same place all the time, or the stitched-together halves will be distorted. If you want safety using the all-forgiving tie closure, you'll probably need to extend the under half all the way to the other side seam, as others have mentioned.
You're right, there have been so many good ideas and you just added to them. I'm so glad I posted!I'm also glad you explained where to sew the skirt shut. I couldn't get my head around pulling up a sewn skirt even if I did leave a space open.
I think that I will use a button or two to keep the skirt closed and then do some hidden stitching as well.
Thank you!
Nicole
I love wrap skirts. I think the slim ones are pretty flattering, at least on my shape. I had the same experience as you and the second time I did this pattern and many more, I did the same as Fitness Nut. Never had to worry after that.
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