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I think Butterick B4686 is my new favourite skirt! B4686 is a good basic skirt for work and I’ve worn it several times already.
I made view C without the decorative buttons in size 16. It has a self-lined yoke and a half-circle skirt. I used about 2 metres of a wool-blend twill fabric. it looked black in the store (Fabricland) but in some light it looks navy. I had wanted to make myself a basic black skirt since once I had in a black (poplin?) from H&M got really faded and old after 7+ years of wearing. There is probably some poly in the blend as the fabric resists wrinkles (great for when I’m sitting in my office all day!). The fabric has a tiny amount of stretch.
I wanted to have a lining so I could wear the skirt in the winter with stockings/tights/leggings and not have to wear a separate slip underneath. I had a turquoise Bemberg in my stash so I used it for the lining; now there’s a pop of colour underneath the skirt! The lining is shorter than the skirt by ~4″. I shortened the skirt by ~4 ” so it just hangs at my knee. Other than that, I made no other alterations to the skirt itself.
I added an invisible zipper to the skirt and lining using this method : https://www.youtube.com/
However, the first time I wore it, the invisible zipper broke. I think I must have broken the zipper while inserting it since the fit of the skirt is fine. This obviously made me super frustrated. I hung up the skirt for around four months because I couldn’t bear to try and insert a new zipper. I finally started sewing again and ended up spending a lot of time ripping out the broken invisible zipper and then inserting a regular centred zipper. Now I get to finally wear my B4686 skirt! Since I’ve fixed the zipper, I’ve worn the skirt four times in the last two weeks! I’d like to make the pleated views too.
Since the twill was a bit ravely, I finished most seams with a cream coloured seam tape. I’m not sure how old it was, but I inherited it from either our great aunt or got from our mom’s sewing stash. The brand is Eaton’s, which was a department store that went out of business in 1999. The price was $0.25, so possibly it was purchased long before then; we weren’t living in Canada in 1999 anyway.
The fabric itself is great too; it resists wrinkles and doesn’t attract lint. Now I wish I had some in other colours; I’d love this skirt in a cherry red and mustard yellow. Next time, though, I want to add in-seam side pockets too!
Below mid-knee skirts A, B have pleats, waist facing and left side zipper closure. A: Made with a border print. B: Ribbon ties. C, D, E: Self-faced yoke, flared below mid-knee skirt and back zipper closure. C: Decorative buttons on front yoke. E: Contrast yoke with purchased trim inserted between yoke and skirt.
It’s lovely, what a shame about the original zip. You’d never know what a tussle you’d had with it looking at the back view.
It would be fabulous in mustard too, sounds like a plan.
This skirt is just gorgeous! I love the tapered yoke and it looks like the fabric has perfect drap for the half circle! Nice job! 🙂 Lisa
Thank you! It’s a great pattern and (other than my zip problem) really easy to make!
I’m not a “sewer” but noticed the style and think it looks great! You did a marvelous job; can’t tell it from anything else you’d buy in a really, really nice store. Very talented lady!
Thank you! I’ve worn it three times this week and I really need to make another!
Very cute! I haven’t sewn clothing in years. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
This skirt is so cute and very flattering on you! I haven’t sewn a thing in ages (minus a few repairs here and there), and hopefully, I haven’t forgotten how to at least turn the machine on! Just wish there was enough time in the day to make use of it. 🙂
It’s a great hobby, and I love the freedom to make something I can’t find in stores. However, Ryan and I don’t have kids so I have the free time to sew!
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