Vionnet-Inspired Bias Skirt

In this sew-along you will  draft a pattern and make a bias-cut skirt based on a design by Madeleine Vionnet (1876 – 1975).

A typical bias-cut skirt is made from a full circle of fabric.  The centres front and back are on the straight of grain, the sides are on the cross grain, and in between are varying degrees of bias.

Vionnet’s skirt has a 2-piece yoke with grainlines oriented differently from the lower portion of the skirt.  The lower skirt is made from 3 pieces to better manipulate the volume and drape of the fabric.  An added advantage for the home sewist is that the seaming enables you to make this skirt from fabric of standard widths – either 115 cm (45 inches) or 140 cm (54 inches).

FABRIC:

Your choice of fabric will affect the result.  For example, silk charmeuse has “drag”, so it skims and reveals the figure beneath.  Cotton or velvet has more “lift” when sewn on the bias.
Approximate meterage – 4.6 metres (140 cm wide); 6 metres (115 cm wide).
You may wish to draft your pattern first before purchasing fabric, so you can more accurately determine the required amount.

SUPPLies: