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Mina Harker’s Ripple Skirt
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
I've been drooling over the idea of a ripple skirt for months, so this became my perfect excuse to just do it. I've been on a graphic novel (& film adaptations) kick this year, so I quickly settled on Mina Harker as my inspiration and excuse for my ripple skirt. Dracula was published in 1897, but I was more inspired by her character in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I mean, forget the husband, here she is a suffragette, a bisexual woman, and to be frank a badass. There's this fabulous image of her in this voluminous blue-black dress and I just thought 'that's it right there, that's what I want'. The pattern I used was from 1895 and the first graphic novel takes place in 1898, so it worked perfectly. It's not exactly her dress, but it's the version I wanted to make for myself (and what I would actually wear on a regular basis.)
Sort of side motivation, Zack Pinsent's video where he called out grubby loungewear... I may have taken that as slight challenge. Who doesn't want to lounge around the house in gigantic, warm skirts?
Outline the construction…
I used the Truly Victorian Ripple Skirt pattern, along with Bernadette Banner's Modern Edwardian Walking Skirt video and Cathy Hay's recent Walking Skirt video to fill in some gaps in the instructions (like the placket). I'm a visual learner, so watching the videos for help with the placket, waistband, and tips like basting was so helpful.
Budgeting and fabric size constraints meant rather than the wool and horsehair canvas I would have liked to use, I found a shirting flannel, interfacing, and cotton lining at my local fabric store. I did most of the big seams on my modern sewing machine, but I did all the finishing by hand. So much felling. SO. MUCH. STITCHING.
This skirt was a challenge for me because I've never made clothes (curves and tailoring, AH!), let alone pleated anything. I've made two very straight-line quilts and helped my mom re-upholster a very square loveseat once, but I figured, hey why not dive in? All in all, I'm pretty happy with how the pleats turned out.
One thing I didn't add but may go back and add later is pockets. There's not really a convenient seam in this skirt for a pocket, so since it will be a loungewear piece, I'm leaning towards a couple of massive patch-pockets, big enough for books or snacks.
Loungewear goals! It looks wonderful, the lines are a dream, and I love the colour. Best of luck x
this skirt came out nice. It’s very flattering on you.
Your skirt looks really nice and cosy. I hope my next one turns out as well as yours. 🙂
Lovely skirt. I adore the color. Well done!
The stitching is very neat ! And the overall shape looks great on you!!
Your stitching is wonderful and I’m in love with the colour that you chose!
Your skirt is beautiful. You did a great job, and to be honest, felling does take forever! I’m glad you persevered, and made such a lovely garment.
Mina is one of my favorites in pretty much any incarnation, very much including LoEG! She would wear this in a heartbeat. Beautiful work!
This is great, really well done!
Maybe it’s because I’m Lesbian, but I never thought of a skirt as loungewear…interesting! I love this! Thank you!