Shades of Gray skirt

I have gone back and forth on this skirt for quite some time.

I've debated purchasing it, I've debated fabric for it, I've even had the great topstitching debate.

Well, with my self at least.

And in the end, I just went with it.

And suprised myself.

Details:

Pattern: Sewaholic Crescent Skirt, view A

Fabric: black Kaufman Essex Yarn Dyed Linen/Cotton blend, other colors here

Notions: interfacing for waistband, 7" zipper from stash

Notes:

First up, the zipper.  The pattern calls for a 9" zipper, but the only gray regular zipper I had in the box was 7" long.  I had a couple longer black ones, but just in case my zipper insertion sucked, I hedged my bets with the shorter gray one.  It works, but I may (yes) have to suck in while easing it carefully over my rear. 

Also, I've always hated centered zippers.  I've never gotten them to look right, and seriously debated using an invisible zipper here.  In the end, though, I went with the centered zip because I had an OCD need to make the topstitching match the rest of the skirt.  And since I'm aready tooting my own horn, it didn't turn out too shabby!

Next up, the instructions call to interface both the waistband and the facing pieces.  Because my fabric was already on the thicker side, I only interfaced the waistband (not the facing).  It worked out perfectly.  With a lighter fabric, though, I'd probably interface it, too.

Also on the waistband, I just serged the facing edge and let it hang loose.  I think folding it up under would've created a bulky ridge, and by doing it this way, it sits pretty flat.  Next time though, I might trim more off that serged edge, as I have about 1/2" of overlap from where I stitched in the ditch on the front of the skirt.

 

For the hem, I made some 1" wide bias tape to face the hem.  The unhemmed skirt is the perfect length, and any shorter and I'd have been uncomfortable at work.  Next time I'll lengthen the pattern a bit in order to have it end up right above my knee.

In the end, it's a super easy super wearable skirt. 

I don't usually wear a lot of black, but this is a perfect gray mix that will go with just about everything.

Anybody else surprise themselves lately with a project they weren't sure about?