Peplum Obsession

Everyone is probably sick to death of hearing me extol the virtues of the peplum, so I won’t.  Instead, I will tell you how much I adore this pattern.

Eva Dress 6111

This skirt is my third version of this 1945 pattern reproduction from Eva Dress.  There are not very many patterns that I love enough to use twice, let alone three times, so you can be sure I am a fan of this one!

The wool was leftover from this suit.  I had less than a full yard left, plus randomly shaped bits from the original suit cutting layout.  Now, a pencil skirt would be easy enough to squeeze out of the small amount of fabric, but I already have one from the first project, and the fabric weight is really not suitable for anything but a skirt or a pair of pants. 

Then I remembered that I have been meaning to make this Eva Dress pattern into a peplumed skirt for over a year.  And one of my sewing resolutions for the year is to make more separates, so it was just perfect!

It was necessary to shorten the peplum, but I may have done that anyway for a more contemporary look (and yes, I know this is not what most people would think of as a modern look!)  My original idea was to stick the zipper at the center back (instead of the original side zipper) and then brilliantly cover that seam with a second little mini peplum that would snap in place.  Well, my leftover fabric pieces were dwindling down to nothing, and the look was going to require one of those half-circle flounce pieces that always takes a great deal more fabric than I think it will.  I decided to go ahead and finish the skirt without the extra piece and see if I could live with the effect.  And I really like it!

Because of my fabric choice, a lining was necessary.  Thankfully I had some blue bemberg laying around.  I made a duplicate skirt, and dropped it inside the wool, wrong sides together.

For the waistband, I cut out a rectangle of wool, backed it with some cotton, cut another of rayon, stitched them together at the top, under-stitched the seam allowance to the lining and stitched that to the skirt.

My hem allowances may be the smallest I have ever used, but I do like the length of the skirt, so perhaps it was meant to be.

And, of course, my wool edges are finished with rayon seam binding (french-seams for the the lining).

I entered this project in the 2012 Eva Dress Pattern Contest which is currently running.  I would appreciate your votes!  And make sure to check out all of the entries – there are some fabulous finished projects in four different categories to whet the creative appetite.  I know I feel motivated to get back to my sewing machine!

Skirt:  Made by me, Eva Dress 6111

Blouse:  Marshalls

Shoes:  Miz Mooz “Lacey” in Blue

Fishnets:  Hue

Earrings: 1928

Ring:  Macys