The solution

BWOF #111 from Jan 2009. The one with the pretty cool waist band. That I couldn't get to work. Period. So here's my solution. Not really perfect, but very wearable and didn't become either a UFO or a wadder. It was well on its way to being a wadder as I messed with the flap that was supposed to somehow go OVER the waist banduntil it was a frayed mess. So I cut it off to match the rest of the front and just finished it (does anyone else hear Tim Gunn echoing "Make it work, Make it work"?) .

ETA: Karendee's comment made me realize that it would be a really good idea to show you what the waistband should have looked like according to the designers at BWOF. I bring you BWOF #111 January 2009, technical drawing:Anyway, I still like this one and I really like the fabric and the color. The full photo is closest to the real colors, its almost a navy/black, very dark purple. The picture above is lightened to show the detail, it's no where near that lavendery. The fabric is a (probably? ) rayon blend, not certain since it was from the $2.97/yard table from GStreet (pretty sure about that - Still working on getting a system) It was very soft and drapey, very little body - I did wash it.

For the lining, since the front was so complex, I just made 2 backs and left a walking slit up both sides. I saw this on an Ann Taylor pleated skirt once and liked the solution. And the final pic is the inside top. I still need to hand stitch the lining to the zipper, I'll do that when I hem it. It's prepped to hem, but DH wasn't in a pinning mood tonight (and truth be told, I am tired, too), so I'll try to get to that tomorrow night. I'm not sure if it shows, but there is no need for a hook at the top of the zipper, I placed the zipper so it stops at the very top of the band, so I don't get the gap at the top and the need for the nasty hook/eye. This was all done on my Singer, I'm kind of digging the slidy zipper foot thingy, it works really well, I can get right up on the coils and it makes a nice straight stitch. (Yes, the zipper is navy, it really matches much better in natural lights - none of these colors are this brilliant) .

I'll do an actual review on PR if/when I can get a picture of it on me. For now I'll say that I really like this pattern, but I just never got the waistband. And I fiddled around with it until it was too fragile to fool around with anymore. I may try again sometimes, we'll see. Otherwise the skirt went together very easily, the pleat were a cinch, just be VERY careful and get the 2 center pleats PERFECT at the center, if they're off they'll show on the right side. The 2 center pleats fold so that one goes right, one goes left and they share a center line that has to match up perfectly. The waist band (tricky part aside) was fiddly, but I think a big chunk of that was my very soft fabric.

Whew! A wadder avoided. And I'll have a new skirt on Wednesday morning. Good night.

ETA: photos of it on me: I like the side view best. I should crab walk when I wear this. As a side note, I never tried this on a single time when I was making it. I am that confident (cocky) of BWOF sizing. I put it on for the first time this morning to wear today. The only surprise was the width at the bottom, it's pretty narrow - no walking pleat, so I have to walk like a lady today. No giant steps, "mother may I"? (and NO, I didn't wear that scrunchy in my hair to work, in case you were concerned)