Suggestions & opinions on a sewing project, please?

[cupcake_goth]

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm working on making a version of this skirt:





The bottom of the skirt: it looks to me like it's about a 3" - 4" band that is NOT gathered (no ruffling), but is scalloped along the bottom, with the bottom edge trimmed in small black ball fringe. Is that what it looks like to the rest of you?

Also, should I find small black ball fringe to put on my version? I think it looks darling in the photo, but I'm worried that in Real Life it will look a bit twee. (Yes, stroppy_baggage, I'm kind of assuming that you don't like the ball fringe and would prefer that I didn't copy it.) What do you people think? If I don't copy the ball fringe, I would probably edge the scallops in narrow flat black lace.

(I've already got the body of the skirt sewn. I just need to add a waistband and zipper, and then cut out and sew the bottom band. I'm getting faster at skirts, and good LORD, how did I do anything before without a serger?)

Comments

[icprncs.livejournal.com]

No ball fringe. People should not look like 1950s curtains.

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

yes, exactly.

[maschalismos.livejournal.com]

From what I can see, I think your description is pretty accurate.

I'd be more partial to the scallops being edged in the lace. Not even for the aforementioned twee factor, but because those damned balls bouncing around as I walked would drive me nuts, no matter how tiny they are. If things like that are going to move around on the edge of my skirt, they should jingle or be able to be used as projectile weapons or something. But that could just be me.

[dykestar.livejournal.com]

oh hay, replied to the wrong comment. haha, sorry!

[smu.livejournal.com]

I like the idea of lace better. The little balls look too much like a 70s lamp.

[arinye.livejournal.com]

~SNERK~ it's so true.

[dark-phoenix54.livejournal.com]

Go with the lace. Those balls just scream retro lampshade. *shudders*

[dykestar.livejournal.com]

FYI, I'm pretty sure the black band at the bottom is velvet or a velvet-like material. In fact, I'd be willing to bet the whole skirt is. That's part of what's making it hang heavy without them having to gather the ruffle. My advice is to maybe try it with satin panels on the skirt and a velvet band at the bottom with the ball fringe-- the ball fringe btw is NECESSARY FOR GREATNESS! and don't you forget it!

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

Ha! So far you are the only person who is voting for the ball fringe.

The fabric I'm using is a mid-to-heavy weight sateen-finish cotton, so it *should* hang okay.

Hey, do you know what *line* this skirt was from? I know it was AP, but other than that, I have no clue.

[minim_calibre]

Lace, but eyelet lace, would be my vote. It would be a step between the ultratwee and the highly formal.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

Add me to the anti-ball-fringe contingent. The last garment I ever had with ball fringe was a poncho, and I was five. People older than five should not wear ball fringe.

[trystbat.livejournal.com]

I agree with the velvet -- or perhaps a heavy satin -- comment. The flat band seems to stand out stiffly (could be the photo, but I bet it would IRL, & besides, it'd look nifty!).

I like the ball fringe, bec. I like victoriana that way. But I can see it w/out the fringe too.

[mrs-batman.livejournal.com]

I vote no fringe. I think it might be too much. (I don't have the skill set to advise on anything else, sadly.)

[oldhalloween.livejournal.com]

I adore teeny tiny ball fringe. Pin it on and see what you think.

[cass404.livejournal.com]

I find myself anti-ball fringe. It's darling in the picture, fun to say but would be less so (darling, it would still be fun to say) in real life, on a grown woman, with cats. In that it would look too twee, a little odd and like you were a walking cat toy.

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

Yes! Or the equivalent of hanging a row of corks from the brim of your hat to keep flies away. Are you trying to keep flies away from your knees? No? Then no ball fringe for you! Go with the lace.

This skirt is going to be the cutest thing ever, btw.*

*But not if you use ball fringe.

[mahariel.livejournal.com]

For me, it's the snag factor on the ball fringe that makes it unappealing. I imagine it getting caught on boots rather terribly.

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

I have already vetoed ball fringe. Now I offer you an alternative.

make the scalloped bottom a wee bit more severe and then put a little tiny edge of gathered chiffon ruffle behind it, in either white or pink (depending entirely on if you are doing white and black or pink and black for the striped panels).

From my perspective, if you put lace edging along the bottom, but layered behind, so that you do get the straight with the scallop as well as a layered effect - still darling, but a teensy bit more grown up with it... and, of course, giving you a place to put more bows. ;)

[bork.livejournal.com]

I like the ball fringe, but I'm worried about it getting snagged, as others have mentioned. I think it'd also be hard to wash, even if the dress is dry cleaned. But aesthetically? Yes on ball fringe.

And as usual, take my fashion advice with a huge grain of salt.

[icprncs.livejournal.com]

YOU should *definitely* wear ball fringe. You are the only person on earth who should. Ball fringe on cargo pants.

[coulrophobe.livejournal.com]

Add me as one of the proud-but-few pro-ballers. I think it's what makes the skirt stand out - lace would be boring. BALLS!

Caveat the first: I just like saying "balls."
Caveat the second: I'm biased, because I have a little magenta t-shirt dress with ball-fringe, and I wear it with impuny. And balls.
Caveat the third: I've been told my taste is questionable, being a fan of haggis, Teletubbies, and Keanu Reeves... so any endorsement from me might give you pause/the heebie-jeebies/convulsions.


Off topic - I have used a cupcake-shaped, chocolate scented soap from Bliss today, and thought, "That's so Jilli."

Off topic the second - I think it's funny that the sparkly vampire book I remember you talking about has put my mother's alma mater on the map. I'll have to ask her what she thinks of Forks being a tourist destination. They do have a damn fine demolition derby on July 4, but that was the only attraction I was aware of until recently.

[master-cobweb.livejournal.com]

I would say if you find a black lace that mimics the silhouette of the bobble trim it would be far superior. Bobble trim is never a good idea in person.

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's flat scallops. No to the ball fringe. That skirt is sooo cute!! Kind of inspired a future project for me, too.

[gingerk.livejournal.com]

My mother put ball fringe on a number of curtains back in the day. They do not wash well and the balls mate all the time and you have to keep untangling them.

The skirt looks like velveteen and taffeta to me and it looks like there's some kind of trim (tatting? narrow lace?) on the top of the black band. You could repeat that on the hem, although adding trim to the scallops is going to be a bear.

[leenerella]

I'm in the anti-ball fringe camp.
Pro-tiny ruffle, though!

[mskat.livejournal.com]

I'm very pro ball fringe. Or at least anti-lace. I think lace will not have the right weight to look good with the scallops. If you don't want to do ball fringe and since you are already using a cotton, howabout either leaving the scallops naked or trimming them with black eyelet?

Or even Pleated ribbon (http://www.mjtrim.com/Catalog/Category/155847.aspx) (clicky link for you, missy).

[brumbjorn.livejournal.com]

add me in the pro-ball group.... BUT...

you have cats right?

Small, fuzzy, dangling items at just the right height... sounds like a lot of runned stockings to me in the near furute :)

[alexiarnps.livejournal.com]

I am the absolute wrong person to ask about ball fringe, since I love *real* ball fringe. The fluffy pompoms are like Cheez Whiz to the St. Andre that is true, weighted velvet ball fringe.

:-P

[savannarama.livejournal.com]

I think what 's oddly stirring about the ball fringe is that it's different and unexpected.

Why not a third option--perhaps some sort of lace-shape you've never used, a unexpected color (don't know how that would work, though, unless it was black-&-colored lace) or another kind of trim altogether?

I liked the skirt immediately but I did not grow up around ball fringe, so I don't associate it with anything--and have never washed it. Perhaps it moves strangely when one walks, too. Cats! Cats, leaping into underskirts!

But I like that the skirt is different. Maybe a walk through the upholstery trim section (underrated!) would prove inspirational, in addition to walking through standard trims. Or it might make you quite certain that lace is the way to go.

[mina5643.livejournal.com]

Could someone explain "twee" to me?

I am anti-ball, also.

Would you sew the lace so that it looks like it's coming out from under the skirt? I think that would be an interesting idea. Or, if it followed the scallop in shape (I dunno).

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

"Twee" is a uniquely British term meaning cloyingly cutesy and sweet, verging on annoying. At least, that's the impression I get from the various Brits I know when they use the term.

A Couple of Lace Links

[moonfiregirl.livejournal.com]

I agree with the no ball trim as it looks rather 70's.

here's a few lace links I use that might help:

http://www.lacefactory.com/www2/mainpage.php
http://www.laceheaven.com/scollopedlace.html

Maybe something like this would work?