Sewing: Super Wrap Maxi Skirt

20 Comments

I didn’t put the question up here on the blog, but I asked what I should do with this triangular rayon challis about two weeks ago. It’s not a print I would normally gravitate to, but I love the colors and the drape of the fabric. It was a $2/yard score in LA.

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When I first started sewing the skirt, the opinion was for the long skirt with a slit. Since then, the opinion has changed. No matter. I’m not second-guessing my decision for this skirt. It works beautifully as a wrap maxi.

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I’ve mentioned this before, but my beef with wrap skirts is coverage. We live on a pretty drafty mountain and I hate showing off my underwear to family and friends. I do like how easy these skirts are to draft, sew and wear.

With this skirt, I drafted something slightly different. Most wrap skirt patterns (that I’ve seen from the big pattern manufacturers) are rectangles with darts. This doesn’t create a whole lot of room at the bottom for flowiness or for covering lady bits when the wind picks up. Instead, I drafted up a partial circle skirt (just shy of a third of a circle) for both sides, the front flap being only 2-3 inches shy of the side seam rather than a whopping 6-8 inches. That makes all the difference in the world.

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The skirt walks really well and doesn’t show off really any skin above the tops of my shins. I say that’s perfect for the upcoming fall and winter months.

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The fabric used here is a soft, breathable rayon challis. I love this kind of fabric. It’s fairly easy to work with, breathable and drapes really nicely. I can’t seem to find this print anywhere, but I now have a pinterest board dedicated completely to rayon challis. Check it out. You’ll love it.

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Outfit details:

I love my new skirt, even if the colorway is so nuts I only have two or three shirts that actually match. Two Sundays ago, I couldn’t find any clean shirts that matched this skirt (but I wanted to wear it so bad!) that I rummaged through my “to refashion” pile and came across this white button-up.

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I bought this button up in the boy’s section at DI for $3 or so. It fit great in the body but not in the arms. I simply grabbed my serger and quickly zipped up the sides of the arms for a more tailored look. Pre-serger, that improvement would have taken about 30 minutes because of pinking or finishing the exposed fabric edges. This time it took me 5 minutes. I felt like I cheated it was that easy.

Have you ever made a wrap skirt before? It was one of the first garment sewing projects I ever did. I think I was 12 or 13.

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    1. Faith says:

      That skirt is AWESOME! What a fabulous design!

    2. Heidi says:

      I have never made a wrap skirt, but since I’ve had experience wearing one, I appreciate the modifications you made to the usual design. It never made sense to me that the overlap was so slim, most would work better as swimsuit cover-ups rather than an everyday skirt.

    3. Brenna says:

      I love that skirt! I’ve been wanting to do a black challis maxi for fall, but couldn’t find a pattern that I liked. The flow on this skirt is perfect. It looks like the hem goes on for days. I’d love to see a mini tutorial!

    4. Kristin H says:

      Brilliant idea – I hate the rectangle with darts. As I am a fleshy rectangular build, that kind of pattern only emphasizes what I want to hide. Rayon challis is my best friend! Even if I forget to air dry, it bounces back well and drapes like a dream. I know I said it before, but I adore the fabric you used. I can send you some of that purple knit I have – it may match.

    5. WHAT?!?! You don’t like showing off your underwear to your friends?? Now where’s the fun in that!?! Just kidding (obviously, I hope). Me neither, which is why I’ve never made one. will you show us how to make this? It looks perfect.

    6. phil says:

      very good match with the top .
      i like the knotted shirt

    7. Dee says:

      Love the wrap skirt Melissa ! I think the fabric will look great with palazzo or wide leg pants too .. I’m digging them this summer!

      • Melissa says:

        Funny you mention palazzo pants – because of the wide bottom and the wrap, as I walk they look like big palazzo pants. I love it. I think I may need to make a pair this year!

        • Dee says:

          Yes! For a moment I thought they were , I was secretly hoping you’d make one soon ! Also I must say there are a lot if times i feel The fabric choice you make is unconventional or I would never pick those kinds of prints but when I see the finished product , I’m blown away …. This above skirt is so cute …. Modern yet feminine …. I would wear it everyday ! Is there a tutorial( for beginners) or a pattern for this ?

    8. That fabric is epic – like it floated straight out of Klimt painting. Now you’ve got me all obsessed!

    9. alana says:

      Love it! I think it looks so dressy with a white shirt and you look great in it.

    10. Suzanne says:

      LOVE LOVE LOVE this skirt! PLEASE post a tutorial:)

    11. David Preston says:

      This skirt is gorgeous and I love the print! Great job, as usual!!

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