https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/40-s-agent-carter-inspired-skirt • Posted by The Sassy Sparrow
I've always loved the 40's. I mean really, when you look at women like Katherine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Grace Kelly how can you not love their look? I love love love wool. It is always very easy to work with and quite flattering. So when I found this skirt for one dollar at a local thrift shop it was a no brainer despite the size. I usually prefer not to deal with skirts that have pockets because it can be hard to work with the side seams when you are trying to keep the pockets accessible. However, I made an exception for this skirt because I loved the fabric so much!
I've always loved the 40's. I mean really, when you look at women like Katherine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Grace Kelly how can you not love their look? I love love love wool. It is always very easy to work with and quite flattering. So when I found this skirt for one dollar at a local thrift shop it was a no brainer despite the size. I usually prefer not to deal with skirts that have pockets because it can be hard to work with the side seams when you are trying to keep the pockets accessible. However, I made an exception for this skirt because I loved the fabric so much!
First off try on the skirt and get a good idea of how much you will need to take in. My skirt was about 4 sizes too big so I had plenty of fabric to work with but the pockets were a bit of a road block. Because of the pockets I decided to put two box pleats in the front and one in the back and leave the side seams alone. I started by measuring the length I wanted and cutting off the excess fabric. After that it was much easier to see the idea of what I wanted. Then I started on the front. I tried it on and decided where I wanted my box pleats to start and marked it with a pin. Instead of regular box pleats I basically sewed two seams that started out small and gradually increased until by the time I hit the pin marking where the pleats should end I had taken in an inch and a half of fabric. I then ironed it like it was a regular box pleat. This is what it should like from the inside.
A close up of it from the outside. At this point I realized that I had too much fabric left to take in and if I tried to take it all in one seam It would pucker like crazy. So, I put in a box pleat just like in the front and decided to try to take in the extra fabric on the side seams. I had wanted to avoid the side seams but when I looked at it it actually turned out to be pretty easy. I just tried on the skirt inside out and fitted it with pins (accidentally sticking myself with pins several times, no biggie) then sewed it with a straight stitch.
Then all I had to do was hem and trim off the excess fabric!