Wednesday, April 18, 2012

McQueen Knockoff skirt

My second to last piece in the Wardrobe Basics SAL is done! I still need to make my LBD, but I think I'm going to come in just under the April 30th goal. Yay!
I fell in love with this Alexander McQueen skirt that floated around Pinterest and really wanted my own. I spent a lot of time contemplating this skirt and went back and forth on what pattern to use. Initially, I thought I'd use McCall's 3630, since it is a TNT for me, but it is a pretty straight skirt from the hip down, and the McQueen original is clearly pegged. I wasn't even thinking about it when I went in to Hancock's to pick up a couple of Burda's that had been on my list. When I brought home Burda 7248 I realized it was the perfect base for this knockoff.
You can see the hi-lo shape of the flounce a little better from the back. Sassy! For the flounce, I used Vogue 1269. Drafting the flounce from scratch would have been pretty easy, but the Vogue was a perfect fit as it was, so I decided to go with it. In retrospect, and in comparing the pictures of the original with mine, I can see that my flounce is a little bit shorter, although since my skirt portion is a bit longer, I end up at the same place.
The original design closes with an invisible zip at center back, which I did. I deviated from the design in that I added a waistband. I prefer a stable waistband to a faced waist in general, but particularly with this fabric, which is a very stretchy bengaline, I didn't want to worry about it stretching out. But, in keeping with the feel of the original design, I installed the zipper to go all the way up to the top of the waistband, eliminating a button or other closure there.
Although it isn't clear from the description if the original was lined or not, I suspect it probably was. I lined the upper portion with an acetate jacquard lining which I cut on the bias, so that it would have some stretch with the bengaline. You can see from the photos on Net-a-porter that the original flounce had Hong Kong finished seams, which I replicated. The original had a faced hem. I really wish I had done that or lined the flounce. I did a narrow machine stitched hem, but it was a serious pain. Since the flounce is circular, the edge  includes quite a few bias sections, all of which stretch in different ways. It was ugly. I think I did more ripping on the hem then I did sewing the entire rest of the skirt. Live and learn.
Overall, I am pleased with the skirt and with the success of the knock off. Not to mention that I actually used something I pinned!! Woo hoo!
Linked up.

18 comments:

Little Hunting Creek said...

That is an awesome skirt - great detective work!

Lori said...

Amazing job re-creating the skirt. Your skirt looks fabulous, great job on all the wardrobe sewing.

Pam said...

Oh my gosh - I saw this skirt and really thought I was on a parisian blog (I follow a couple) - (Not kidding!). I love it - you are definitely advanced plus - Great job Katie!! I wouldn't mind some tutorials from you - you just keep getting better and better!!

Kitschy Coo said...

Fantastic re-creation! You nailed it :)

Pam said...

Jonathan just saw this skirt - and agrees - fantastic! I really did think I was on one of my parisian bloggers!! Again, I just have to say it - BRILLIANT!

Sara Noemi said...

stunning! how clever of you!

Marie said...

Fantastic knockoff - you look fantastic wearing it.

meli88a said...

Very nicely done. It's amazing how all those patterns came together to re-create that skirt so perfectly!

Dr. Fun (AKA Sister) said...

Wow - beautiful job! Also congrats on your BIL and doing the wedding dress - can't wait to see it!

Elizabeth Made This said...

It looks great! I love how the flounce dips down in the back. It looks very close to the original. I can imagine the hem being tricky. My wool skirt that was unfortunately shrunk had the same issues--it had all of these floofy godets and I could not get a clean press pretty much no matter what. I wished I had known at that point to try a narrow hem. Live and learn indeed.

The Slapdash Sewist said...

I totally love this skirt! I am not on board with the mullet hemline in general, but this completely works. I may have to reconsider my position on the trend.

Marjie said...

I was thinking about a skirt like that, too, while drifting off to sleep last night. Yours came out really well. It's not dis-similar to one I made for my daughter a couple of months back, but her flounce was shorter than yours, and the hem was level, not up and down. I used a narrow hem on hers, and it worked better than trying to take up more and fit it.

Cindy said...

Love it! You did a fab job knocking it off!:)

Lynneb said...

Oh Kate! It's amazing! Beautifully done!

michal said...

I Love the way the skirt looks on you! it really looks great on you!

Victoria said...

Cute skirt! Nice job knocking it off:)

gwensews said...

Terrific knock off! It's very chic.

HeathersSphere said...

Very chic skirt! You look terrific!