When I found myself cutting out yet another maxi-length skirt, I worried for a moment that I’d never see my ankles again. And, then in the next moment, I was OK with that. I mean, the gals in the 19th century rocked maxi skirts and dresses everyday, all day. Playing tennis, riding bicycles, running after children, running households….basically saving the world.
It’s too bad I’m a klutz when I wear long, full skirts. Tripping over or stepping on my hem, getting it caught in car doors, letting snacks melt in my pockets —like a stylish anti-hero. So, this may be my last 35-inch skirt of the season. A great occasion for a wide, mudcloth waistband. And an even better one to make the basic white tee that eluded me all summer.
A dreamy chocolate linen from my stash wanted to be a summer neutral, but needed a little something to tame the rich color. Something like the fab-u-lous mud cloth I bought somewhere at sometime in the past that I can’t quite remember. It’s history didn’t matter the moment I attached the skirt to the waistband. The two fabrics were so right for each other, you’d think they’d met on eHarmony instead of in my sewing room.
The mud cloth has a canvas weight, so interfacing wasn’t necessary, but the two-inch waistband could’ve used more support, maybe even boning at the side seams or hidden elastic that would act kinda like a snugly interlining to keep it from collapsing. I fastened it at center back with a zipper and a massive sew-on snap. I love the look and novelty of it, but after a hearty meal, that snap has been known to randomly pop open like a jack in the box (scaring the snap out of me), so I think I’ll go back to boring, more predictably behaving closures.
The volume of this skirt is what I love most about it. It’s also what I have to get used to so I don’t end up face-planting. Maybe I can help someone appreciate the awesomeness of a handmade skirt instead of being distracted and (possibly entertained) by its uncoordinated wearer.
Wanna Be Sewing Something 
You’ve done it again. I love this skirt and the waistband is genius. I’ve got a piece of it in my stash. I hope you don’t mind if I “borrow” your idea. BTW-have you made it to Paradise Fabrics yet?
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Thanks, Angela! You don’t need my permission. That mud cloth in your stash is ready for you! I just looked up Paradise Fabrics and I had NO IDEA it was there? It’s right in my BFF’s neighborhood, too. How’d I miss it? Oh, it’s ON. Might check them out this weekend. Thanks for the referral!
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Stunning! I love how the waistband brings it all together. Pretty shirt too!
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Thanks, Marianne.
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EHarmony. spitting out my coffee over here. i love the length on you, sometimes ankles want to be mysterious! and that waist band is YUMMY.
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Thanks! I do like a little mystery, especially where my unshaven legs are concerned ;-).
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That is a gorgeous outfit and works so well for you! 🙂
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Thank you, Andy. I am really basking in the maxi look. Just glad I can pull it off even though I’m so short.
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I like this ALOT! Now I want some contrast waistbands too!
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The discovery blew my mind. Though, I bet if I try again, I won’t be as lucky with the awesome pairing. The gods are fickle.
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What a super outfit. I love the colours. I love deep dark brown with bright white and the mud cloth waist band is just perfect. What a great look. Well done.
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Thank you so much, Kate. I am equally happy with the outfit and want to do more brown with black and white pairings this fall/winter.
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This is such a great outfit on you – simple, chic and perfect. Maxis all the way!
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Thanks, Sarah!! I agree wholeheartedly about maxis…especially now that I’ve gotten more practice not tripping in them ;-).
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