Winter Wonder

Flattering and fashionable (not to mention warm!), this skirt was cut from Folkwear's #209 Walking Skirt pattern in purple wool and trimmed with black middy braid and jet buttons. Don this with boots, a sweater and a tam, and you'll be set for an afternoon of shopping!

After Lorna Doone

When the wind turns biting, a skirt like this one is oh, so cozy! Inspired by tartan dirndls worn in Lorna Doone (2001), I fashioned this skirt from heavy blanket flannel and here, you see it paired with a modern top. For a more dramatic effect, a fitted westkit, or laced bodice, worn over a chemise would fit the bill.

Tip: check out Lorna Doone if you haven't seen it!

Anna's Rescue Mission

The moths dared to touch Anna's gray wool skirt,

But "a curved row of tonal freehand flowers sewn on by machine in 'artistically messy' fashion" fixed that!

Images: Pleasant View Schoolhouse. Used with permission. (Thanks, Anna!)

Denim, Her Way

Lillibeth of The Pleasant Times submitted this as a lovely feminine application of denim. Great find from the Spiegel catalog!

For a Grandmother

I loved the colors, patterns and textures of my grandmother's ensemble: a pleated wool skirt, a silky navy blouse with a conservative pattern of paisleys, and a chunky cable knit sweater and cap. What could be more perfect for this warm and spunky woman!

It's In the Blue

RetroGirl over at the Sense and Sensibility Forum fashioned this skirt from Butterick 5041 and a length of fabric she found on the bargain table. Isn't it lovely?

Feminine, Fashionable, & Frugal!

Erica created this fetching skirt for as a class recycling project last spring. She lengthened an old denim mini skirt by sewing on a width of red bandana print fabric and ruffle of white jacquard that she salvaged from another garment. We give her an A+!

Sisters Share

My sister made me a gift of this lovely Emma James skirt (right). The fit and flare of it makes me want to dance! Amy is wearing a stretch denim skirt I bought at Dress Barn.

Inspiring Images (& A Skirt Tale)

Seeking old-fashioned inspiration for your wardrobe? The Baker Lane Inspiring Image Archives offer a wealth of it! Now viewable on Flickr, the gallery includes images of most of the custom projects I created while dressmaking at Baker Lane. Enjoy!

Psst! Notice the broomstick skirt I'm wearing. I didn't make it, but it was a favorite for years. Only when it was in shreds was I convinced to retire it to the rag bag. Then, o happy day, I found its twin at a thrift store, in red!

Skirt Tales

Elizabeth in Alaska wears a far-from-dowdy hand-me-down from Grandmother.

A move accross campus prompted me to take inventory of my wardrobe. I had hoped to find some clothes I could toss out, or at least pass along to the Free Box (the place for student shoppers) because I'm taking up more than half the closet my roommate and I share. However, what I discovered surprised me; I have more than 20 skirts and I don't want to part with any of them. I guess you could say I collect skirts.

Since it's obvious my closet won't hold all the skirts I see and love, and because not every skirt I like will fit, I thought I'd expand my collection to include other people's skirts. When I see a pretty skirt, I'll ask its wearer for permission to photograph it! Or if I spot your skirt photo on the web, I may just ask you if I may post it here. These photographs, along with shots of favorite skirts in my collection, will appear in "Skirt Tales," a series celebrating feminity.