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.

[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.

[smu.livejournal.com]

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

[dark-phoenix54.livejournal.com]

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

[dykestar.livejournal.com]

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

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[dykestar.livejournal.com]

ummmm it appears to be... *mumbles*

Lemme go check, I could swear there was some kind of circus photo involving that skirt...

And there you have it.

[dykestar.livejournal.com]

Can't read the Japanese, but it's from this year and has something to do with carnivals. lol! I think it was the non-horse version of that carousel horse applique series.

Re: And there you have it.

[dykestar.livejournal.com]

or maybe they're two different series that both use panels and ball trim? Lord only knows with AP!

Re: And there you have it.

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

Ah-ha! And looking at the red skirt shows me the bottom band is scalloped on both edges. I may make the band on my version out of two layers of fabric to give it some more weight. I don't think I want to use velvet for the bottom band, because the black of the skirt body and the black of the band wouldn't match and it would drive me CRAZY.

(Predictably, when I showed The Husband the picture and explained about ball fringe, he made a pained expression and said "OH GOD, NO!")

[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.

Re: And there you have it.

[icprncs.livejournal.com]

The model in that second photo looks like a live-action Strawberry Shortcake. I don't mean that as a compliment. ;)

(But I sure do like that polka-dot sweater...)

[maschalismos.livejournal.com]

I got your comment and was like, "...dammit, I was good and didn't even namecheck her in my comment and how I *knew* she was gonna roll up in here all BALL FRINGE IS WHERE IT'S AT, and she STILL singles me out. Can't win for losing, man."

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

yes, exactly.

[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.

Re: And there you have it.

[maschalismos.livejournal.com]

And why am I not surprised that not only are you the only pro-ball-fringer in the comments, but that you had photo evidence of what line this all came from?

[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.