Isn't this the most glorious fabric? It's a metallic taffeta with ginormous flowers on it by Zac Posen. I did do a burn test to try and determine it's composition but I can't remember what the outcome was and I don't particularly want to burn the finished skirt. But suffice to say I think it's poly, although the price would indicate otherwise.

Lets just address the fact that I'm standing in the snow. It was -5C but I really wanted to take some pictures in the park as it looks so glorious. Needless to say I lasted 5 minutes (with some very strange looks from the local dogwalkers) before returning to this more appropriate attire:

I had been searching for a floral metallic for quite some time to make a version of a must-have-it-but-oh-look-at-the-price-tag skirt I saw in the window of a gorgeous little boutique in my neighbourhood (called Bird). That skirt was cotton, black and green with metallic patches; a simple A-line with a funny little pleat at the front. This is that. On steroids. But I suppose that's the purpose of inspiration: It's a starting point.

Unsurprisingly, I found the perfect fabric at Mood.

Following on from my Zebra skirt, I drafted the pattern myself. I added some width to the hem of my sloper then slashed and spread to add one deep inverted box pleat to the front pattern piece and one to the back (so therefore four in total). I included an invisible side zip and a 2 inch deep waistband. (It was initially deeper but as it wasn't curved it stood away from the body and looked dodgy, so I shortened it.) This time I got the length of the waistband right and there is a nice overlap - although I used seriously crappy interfacing which hasn't done it any favours.

The actual sewing took no time at all - if you discount the endless hunting for the black silk habotai I had bought for the lining that vanished when I needed it. Typically I found it two days after I completed the skirt having used a hideous black poly I've had for a hundred years instead. I pleated that as well and it actually works well as it helps the shell to stand away from the body and I like the silhouette that creates. The photo above really shows the goldy-black-metallic of the background. It's fab!

I was so eager to get this made, that I only made one muslin and there is something afoot with the way the pleats sit which I need to go back and address on my draft, but fortunately the volume of the fabric, means the pleats hold well and stand away from the body, so I can more or less get away with it. I will make an amended version of this again and have seen some sumptuous scuba pleated skirts as well as many beautiful horizontal striped midi versions that I would love to replicate (this is particularly spectacular).

But I do also need to consider when I will wear an army of pleated taffeta skirts. The Wardrobe Architect can not come soon enough.

Skirt: self drafted with Zac Posen poly taffeta from Mood Fabrics
Top: Keyhole back with nice pleat detail on the sleeve hem from a cheapy store close to my apartment.
Shoes: Aldo (I have very big feet and Aldo is one of the few places that accommodates them.)
Necklace: Modcloth

See you soon x

A skirt for the birds