September 1, 2014

Simple but effective


Another Metro Textiles winner up on the blog today! This gorgeous silk was the first thing I snapped up when I visited earlier in the year – it has a lovely southwestern inspired pattern, and it’s absolutely gorgeous to feel. That Kashi has a lot to answer for. 
In my new endeavor to actually wear fabric I love rather than hoard it in my sewing room, I decided that I needed to whip it up into something, pronto. *Obviously* it was going to be a maxi skirt, but then I started contemplating putting a zipper into silk and… ugh. No. So instead, let me present: a gathered tube of fabric, with a hem tube and a waist tube through which some elastic was put. I’d release my own pattern, but I don’t want to bring the Big4 down.
This took less than an evening, and now I get to swan about in amazing fabric for the rest of the summer. And when I say swan about, I really mean swoooooossshhhhhh….
It must also be noted that elasticated waist silk maxi skirts are potentially the single most comfortable thing in the entire world to wear. Like, more than pyjamas. The only negative is that if you stand on the hem while getting up from the table where you’ve just been eating brunch, you may accidentally expose yourself to the entire restaurant. Guess how I know that. 

I make no apologies for the maxi skirt love here at Cashmerette towers, but never fear: more adventurous plans are afoot! Once I’ve made some more maxis. And maybe another wrap dress.

30 thoughts on “Simple but effective

  1. I love this color on you and with the necklace it’s gorgeous. Very nice!

    1. Jenny says:

      Thanks Rory! Turquoise is one of my favourite colours but I rarely sew with it. The necklace is from Greece where I lived years ago!

  2. Yes, I’m a huge fan of the elasticized waist maxi skirt too! You chose a lovely piece to make your skirt.

    1. Jenny says:

      Thanks Carolyn! This is definitely one where I found the fabric first and then tried to figure out the best way to showcase it. I also have it in another colour way!

  3. Laurwyn says:

    You should patent it the Maxi-Tube 🙂 But you would probably compete with toothpaste brands…
    The fabric is beautiful and from experience, it is sometimes the simplest patterns that you will end up wearing the most. Enjoy the last days of summer 🙂

    1. Jenny says:

      The Cashmerette Maxi Tube: I like it’!

  4. Just lovely! Would you please post how you went about doing this?

    1. Jenny says:

      I will see if I can find time!

  5. Heather says:

    Absoulutely stunning! I would totally be one to step on my hem and expose myself – another reason to always wear pretty knickers! 🙂

    1. Jenny says:

      Hahaha sadly I think Boston just got a glimpse of my Marks and Spencer’s black standards that day 🙂

  6. lisa g. says:

    totally gorgeous! for some reason i find it tricky to get a non elastic waistband the exact perfect size so it stays put AND is comfortable–perfect solution here!

    1. Jenny says:

      It is! Stylish as real waistbands look I can never get them to fit well when I’m standing up and when I’m sitting down… I also want to experiment with the waistbands that are flat in front but elasticated at the back

  7. Gorgeous! The color is fantastic on you. Great job on matching up the pattern in the skirt. You look like a million bucks!

    1. Jenny says:

      Thank you! Lots of pinning and only two seams helped 🙂

  8. Susan says:

    Amazing outfit and impeccable styling! That skirt fabric looks delicious — I’m a fan of Metro too 🙂

    1. Jenny says:

      Thanks Susan! And yay for Metro – my fave NYC
      Spot now

  9. Tina says:

    Beautiful. You’re wearing a lot of my favorite colors 🙂

  10. Janet says:

    You look stunning! Great fun reading your blog too. Thank you! 🙂

  11. Beautiful! Isn’t it a good feeling to get something out of fabric storage and into your closet?!

    1. Jenny says:

      It is! Now I have to get through the rest of them 😀

  12. Sophie-Lee says:

    Your many maxi skirts have finally inspired me to make my own this spring!

    Love the t-shirt colour and, of course… the Armani?

    1. Jenny says:

      I am envious that you are going into spring as our summer is just ending… And yes of course Armani darling. What else?!

  13. Lovely indeed. Inspires me to get some of my loveliest fabric out and use it rather than just stroke it and croon at it…..

  14. Amanda says:

    Maxi skirts are totes the PJs that you can wear out of the house! This fabric is delish and definitely should be out and about and not being a stash ninja 😀

  15. I love your maxi skirts. Inspires me to make one. Perhaps I finally will!

  16. I love everything, the color, the skirt, the necklace, your hairstyle, your shoes, you look stunning.

Let me know what you think!