Tuesday, April 18, 2006

The skirt that had to be

There was a time, not all that long ago, when I kept makeup in my desk drawer. That was when I had both a desk and occasion to wear makeup. Back then, there were frequent events to attend in the evenings, and my wardrobe reflected those events: gallery openings, literary events at the library, museum parties, and drinks with friends.

These days my grown up, well-cut clothes hang in the closet, and my daily wardrobe consists almost exclusively of jeans and t-shirts (or capris and tanktops in the summer).


Back then I left work late and attended awards ceremonies at the library where Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman read excerps from the nominated novels. These days I put the baby to bed early, make pasta, and knit while I watch the videos from those books made into films.

skirt1
But I'd like to dress up a little more when I am at home. After all, this is New York and I used to be a clothing designer; shouldn't my attire reflect those aspects of my life? So I'm in search of the perfect playground-going skirt; one that can slide down the slide and crawl under playground equipment while looking supremely chic, or at least a little bit more pulled together

This skirt is not it. It's slim, it requires dressy shoes, it's light colored, and there is no way I can wear it down a slide without disgracing myself.

skirt4
But I had to make it. When I saw the Japanese fabrics at Purl I knew it was meant to be, and I thought immediately of this photo. The skirt was predestined.

To hang in my closet, I guess.

Update: Erin, and anyone else wondering about the Japanese fabrics, you can get them at Purl Patchwork on Sullivan Street in SoHo. By the way, Purl is also offering bundles of select fabric on their website now. Unfortunately, no Japanese fabrics for sale on the website yet, but the online inventory is planned to expand soon, according to Joelle!

25 comments:

  1. What an adorable skirt!

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  2. That skirt is WONDERFUL!

    And you have to tell me where you're finding Japanese fabrics in New York. Pretty please?

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  3. Anonymous9:46 PM

    Oh my, that skirt of FABULOUS!!!

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  4. Anonymous10:15 PM

    Well done Liesl--the skirt turned out beautifully! Clever you.

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  5. love the skirt.... also love to hear about the "old" vs. "new" you... :)

    next time i'm in NY i hope to go to purl soho.... sigh....

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  6. Oh, thank you!

    I'll be there a week from Tuesday. :-)

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  7. that skirt is fantastic - and it looks perfectly great on you!

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  8. I'm so in love with your skirt!

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  9. Anonymous1:09 AM

    I've never worked in fashion, but I did live in Milan for 6 years where I did like to dress the part. And now I am facing the same dilemna as you. I need a wardrobe that looks stylish, that can still follow a nearly 2 year old around all day without compromising my dignity! Does such a thing exist? I'll buy it if you design it!
    (I think the hardest part to master is the shoes, Birkenstocks just don't look glamourous!)

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  10. Liesl: The skirt is so chic! I absolutely love the fabrics you chose. What a wonderful idea! P.S. Cute shoes!

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  11. Anonymous3:45 PM

    Liesl,
    Wow! I love it. Please wear it in next time you come by the shop..

    Joelle

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  12. Anonymous4:18 PM

    very cute!! i am planning on using the fabric from that line to reupholster two of my fave chairs and you can buy it online at materialgirlsquits.com some of the other prints in this line are fun too!

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  13. Anonymous4:22 PM

    Liesl! I love the skirt! And I am in the same boat. Tons of fancy work clothes and 1 pair of jeans that fit at the moment. (working to get back to my pre-baby Diesel's) Although this is off topic I wanted to let you know that Martha Stewart Kids Magazine is ceasing to be published! I am so bummed and wanted to let you know (you wrote about the mag in a previous post) I loved that magazine for it's inspiration and adorable magazine for the little ones inside.

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  14. Wow and I so know what you mean. I have about 7 really fabulous wool suits with a good dozen nice shirts and silk blouses and now I wear jeans and workboots and skanky old cardys.

    But good on you for making the effort and having some fun. The skirt is absolutely fabulous.

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  15. Anonymous12:43 PM

    The skirt is great, I also fell in love with that fabric.

    Where can I get the pattern ?

    Thanks,
    Stacey
    jladyl@yahoo.com

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  16. Anonymous1:35 PM

    Wow that skirt is incredible and you look fabulous in it you lucky lucky girl!!

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  17. Anonymous2:38 PM

    The skirt is wonderful - I'm hugely impressed by your design skills (even though I know you were a designer in a previous life).

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  18. i too think that is a fantastic skirt!!!

    I made a skirt awhile ago...never been worn....doesn't work with the regulation sneakers at the moment. It too hangs in the wardrobe....waiting until I am a teacher and don't need to run faster than the kids!!

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  19. Anonymous12:00 AM

    Can you believe Joelle didn't anticipate the popularity of the Japanese fabrics? She was out of them in no time. I'd liked the green, leaves fabric, but hadn't bought any for an obscure reason. And two weeks later it was all gone. Instead, on this second trip, my friend bought the last bits of the lime Chrysanthemum and of your scallop skirt fabric. I was too slow to grab them from under her. But mothers with babies strapped on should get a break!

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  20. Wow such a gorgeous skirt! Iwas doing a search for japanese postcards and your blog came up, I'm so glad, it looks like a really nice blog, I'm going to mention your skirt on my site cause it's fab. And I LOVED the baby/stroller video clip!

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  21. Anonymous11:13 PM

    Holy cow, that skirt is fantastic. I'm passing through NYC next week, must stop by purl.

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  22. I love it. I want to watch movies and knit. Your life sounds fantastic.

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  23. Anonymous6:36 PM

    WHY AREN'T YOU SELLING THE PATTERN TO THAT BEAUTIFUL SKIRT! I don't even really know how to sew and I want to MAKE THAT!! ???

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  24. an awesome skirt! you really have an good eye for design! why aren't you starting a business doing this?!?

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