Calm Under Tension by Gwen Gyldenege
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Surfer Girl, Dance and Play Skirt: Kwik Sew K3672

8/21/2015

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I fell in love with this awesome Hawaiian print lycra at Pacific Fabrics (I want more - anyone know of a lead?). I knew it was perfect for me because everyone had that, "OMG it's too bright" look on their faces.  I've also been wanting a Surfer style skirt: nylon, lycra, print, fun, the kind of thing you just put on over a swimsuit. 

So, I made Kwik-Sew K3672.  I really liked it, but the waist band to skirt resulted in some ruching and I wanted a smooth look.  Here it is with one layer of milliskin as a lining and K3672 straight out of the pattern.

I wasn't sure about this #kwiksew #k3672 skirt at first due to the fit, but after I let it "rest" and ignored it for the last few days I'm now totally in love with it. It's so the surfer girl style I've been looking to create in my wardrobe. I love this neon tropical tribal fabric from Pacific fabrics! This is all nylon Lycra. Loving it!!!#littlemomentsapp#memade #isew #sewcialist #neonpink #tropical #surfergirl #surferchic #hawaiianstyle #livealoha

A photo posted by Gwen Gyldenege (@gyldenege) on Jun 9, 2015 at 6:17pm PDT

I wore it over capris while shooting hoops and playing basketball. It was great, except that it kept shifting on my body and the hem would droop low in front and ride high in back. "Hi like my bum?" No, not really that high, but higher than I prefer. 

Then, I got the wise idea a) let out the waistband so it would be smooth and b) to put it on my dress form and shorten the hem to accommodate what was happening while wearing. The end result? I have a skirt that friggin looks like stage curtains. Short, almost too short in front and long in the back. The waist is smooth over my body, but now it's TOO loose. Maybe that's a result of my dancing. It's overall a great skirt, But it needs some alterations again. I topstitched the side and center seams so I'm a little reluctant to rip the seams out. 
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I'd say, it's pretty awesome in the mood lighting at the dance studio. I GLOW. Hello amazing. 
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In these 3 photos above, you can see the hemline changes much easier. It's also nice how the skirt doesn't have those odd lines that run vertically now that the waist is smooth. I love this skirt. I intended it only for wearing over capris. Though, next time, I'll make a smaller size in the hips to address the wrinkles. And, I'll add length to the back instead of taking away at the hem.  I know that's not the right way to alter patterns. But, I thought, why not. Just try it and experiment. Maybe that rule can be broken.  I'd say it can in the right way. 

To go along with my outfit, I also altered my Under Armor cross back tank by folding the hem up the entire amount of the bottom band. I'm much shorter in the torso and having it those 3" longer just ends up with baggy fabric hanging out at my hips. Not a good look. I like this alteration, but I'll take the band off and put it back on for my 2nd top like this. It was a quick fix so I had a top for dancing that night. 

Last, but far from least, is my hair. Since I began watching Mako Mermaids, I've been infatuated with braiding my hair.  I've long loved wearing flowers in my hair, but the braiding is a fun renewed trend.  My hair has been everything from Susan Powter blonde or pink / red and spikey to this length.  Braiding in fun and funky ways infuses me with the spirit of mermaids. I feel glamorous and playful. Plus, I look good and can dance (sweat) without hair in my way or without having my hair flop and look bad after 20 min. Win!

What's your latest hair or fashion infatuation?  Why? What do you just *love* about it?
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    Gwen Gyldenege

    Author: 
    Gwen Gyldenege

    I'm a one woman circus.  
    I'm curvy and athletic.
    ​I am a dancer.
    My last name translates 
    to "Golden Oak". 

    I'm an artist, intuitive, engineer, seamstress 
    and performer.

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Except for sources otherwise stated beneath images or bottom of the page (Creative Commons), all images and works are copyright Gwen Gyldenege, all rights reserved.  Contact Gwen to request permission.
Photos used under Creative Commons from I Robertson, DoNotLick, Gustty, Jayson Emery, Nbepko, Gamma Man, I Robertson, Lars Plougmann, RowdyKittens, Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious, The Wandering Angel, VasenkaPhotography, quinn.anya, Léa Chvrl, Lost Albatross, Guttorm Flatabø, BEST PHOTO, RowdyKittens, allistair, BozDoz, tanakawho, Navicore, Bilal Kamoon, D-Stanley, Kris Krug, glasseyes view, essers, Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious, Alex Pepperhill, Found Animals, adactio, Office Now
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