Saturday, December 26, 2015

McCall's 3830 - Silver sequin straight skirt

Just in time for year end festivities I have made something sparkly! A sequin skirt has been on my list for a few years now. This fabric was purchased months ago but has just been sitting there staring at me because I was procrastinating. Sewing with sequins is always extremely messy and time consuming. I finally decided it would be handy to have for New Year’s Eve so I stitched it up. Surprise! Because I chose a fabric with super tiny sequins, they didn’t need to be removed for the seams or darts, and I had no messy piles of them to clean up. I used Mood fabric’s baby sequins on mesh, which they carry in several different colors. I ordered a yard for this straight skirt and have plenty left over.


The pattern is my TNT (Tried ‘N True) straight skirt pattern, McCall’s 3830, which I have made a thousand times. I wanted to keep the sequins from catching on my blouses so I opted for a grosgrain ribbon waistband. I also fully lined my skirt with some silver china silk.



The back invisible zipper has to be gently pulled up to not get hung up on any sequins. It didn’t give me any problems to insert.


I’m on auto pilot when I make this pattern. If only all my sewing could be such a reliably good fit!


I had to add a band of fabric to the bottom of the lining since I cut it a little short. I always like my lining long enough to cover the top edge of the turned up hem. Then I do a sit-down test to make sure it doesn’t peek out.


The waistband is made using a 1 3/8″ wide petersham grosgrain ribbon that I stashed for this project. This is the 3rd time I've used this type of waistband finish and I love to do it. Next time I'll snap some pictures and post a little how-to here for anyone interested. I also sewed a 1″ wide ribbon in the same color to the bottom of the skirt and turned it to the inside for the hem. It was whip-stitched in place by hand. I didn’t want any scratchy sequins touching my skin or chewing up my hosiery.


Finding ways to use fancy fabrics in my non-fancy lifestyle is fun to me. I have it styled here for a casual date night or New Year’s house party with friends but it could easily be paired with a silver silk charmeuse blouse and heals to be cocktail party appropriate.

Note: Both fabrics were purchased with my Mood Fabrics monthly allowance, as part of my participation in the Mood Sewing Network.

41 comments:

  1. Beautiful, Amanda. Thks for the tip on the baby sequins! sound so much easier than full size. I like a petersham waist as well on special fabrics. This looks great on you.

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    1. Yep, those tiny size sequins will be my go to from now on for sparkly stuff. Thanks Coco!

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  2. Pretty and beautifully finished.

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  3. Such a great skirt perfect to dress up or down. Would love to see your ribbon waistband tutorial too when you post it. Happy new year!

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    1. Thanks Manju! I'm not sure when I'll get around to it as I have nothing waiting in queue that requires that type of treatment. Eventually though! Happy New Year to you as well!

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  4. Beautiful skirt & lovely finishes. Look forward to the ribbon waistband tutorial!

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  5. Love the fit, very flattering. I'd love to have a go at a sequin skirt, but can't think when I would wear it.

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    1. Haha, I couldn't think where I would wear a sequin dress, hence the skirt. Thanks Mags!

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  6. Such neat work and hey, everyone needs sparkle in their lives! Looks fabulous on you!

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  7. so pretty and what a great color choice, to wear as a sparkly neutral. I will have to check out that fabric.

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    1. Lol, sparkly neutral. I guess there's not too much it wouldn't go with. Thanks Beth!

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  8. Would love to see a how-to on the grosgrain ribbon waistband. Fabulous skirt! Your work is always lovely.

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  9. I love it, and all your tips. I saved this post for future reference. Will be watching for a ribbon waistband tutorial.

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  10. Very cute, I have wondered how hard it was to sew with that type fabric. I will remember the baby sequin fabric was good to work with.

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  11. Gorgeous skirt Amanda! So versatile and perfect for New Years. Gotta love a pattern that can be sewn up so mindlessly.

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    1. Yep, wish I had more TNT patterns for that very reason. Thanks Margo!

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  12. What a beautiful skirt - perfect for holiday festivities. Love it!

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  13. Beautiful skirt!!!

    I recently used petersham for a skirt waist--my first time. Although I referred to one of my books for how to use it, I don't think I got it exactly right. So I'd love a tutorial.

    Did you fold the petersham over? Or is it 2 pieces--one on the front one on the inside?

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    1. I folded it over. I started with a 1 3/8" wide piece of ribbon but I've also used a 2" wide ribbon. I will definitely post a how-to when I use the method again since there seems to be lots of interest. Thanks Melinda!

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  14. Amanda,
    I'm always amazed at your ability to snap back after a baby! You look fantastic, love your skirt. Happy New Year!

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    1. Well, he is 16 months old now so I've had plenty of time lol. Thanks Sheri!

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  15. A stunning skirt and great sewing details to take notes from!
    Happy New Year!!

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    1. Thank you Tany! Happy New Year to you as well!

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  16. This is so shiny and fun! I appreciate the shots of the inside- you really handled the sequins beautifully!

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  17. What a beautiful skirt - just the right amount of "bling" to be quite festive. Hope you had a fun New Year's Eve in that pretty outfit!

    Thanks for sharing this, too.

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    1. Thank you Barb! Our plans changed and I ended up wearing something more appropriate for sitting on the floor with a baby. Oh well, that's my life right now. I can always be glamorous when my kids get bigger. ;)

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  18. Very beautiful and versatile! I look forward to the ribbon waist tutorial! :-)

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    1. Thank you Lisa! I seems like there is a lot of interest for it. Now all I have to do is find another garment where I want to use the technique!

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  19. That's such a sweet skirt! Beautifully made, and it's fun to have something blingy in your wardrobe, "just in case"!
    I'm so sorry about the commenting problem on my blog... I've tried to fix it so anyone can comment, and I appreciate that you did leave one, so thank you, and for letting me know too!

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    1. Thanks Carolyn! I figured out the commenting. Really I just need to copy my comment if it's especially lengthy so it's not lost. ;)

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