My Latest Obsession: Vogue 1941 and Leopard Print Ankara!
Oh, friends, do I have a treat for you today! If you’ve been following “Sewing For My Sanity” for any length of time (and if you haven’t, where have you been for the past decade?!), you know I love a good challenge, especially when it results in something truly show-stopping. And let me tell you, this skirt? It’s a showstopper, and then some. It’s so good, in fact, that it’s getting its own starring role in a professional photoshoot next month!
I’m talking about Vogue 1941, an asymmetrical skirt pattern that immediately caught my eye. It comes with two views, A and B, offering different lengths. View A is the shorter, sassy version, perfect for showing off a bit of leg, while View B (the one I opted for) gives you more of that dramatic, flowing silhouette. But more on my choice in a bit!
Now, let’s talk fabric. The pattern specifically lists Ankara as a recommended fabric, and who am I to argue with Vogue? Plus, I had this absolutely gorgeous leopard print Ankara in my stash, just begging to be transformed into something fabulous. The rich colors and bold print of Ankara fabric always make a statement, and this leopard print? It’s pure magic. I knew it would be the perfect complement to the unique design of this skirt. There’s just something about the vibrant, expressive nature of Ankara that speaks to my creative soul, and pairing it with a high-fashion pattern like Vogue 1941 felt like a match made in sewing heaven.
The Great Cut-Out Caper: A Test of Patience (and Scissors!)
Alright, let’s get real. Every sewing project has its moments, right? Sometimes it’s the finicky zipper, sometimes it’s unpicking a rogue seam for the tenth time. With Vogue 1941 pattern, my moment of “sanity testing” (hence the blog name!) came before I even touched my sewing machine.
Cutting out this skirt, my dears, was an experience. Due to the very nature of an asymmetrical skirt, most of the pieces are not “cut 2.” Oh no, that would be far too simple! Instead, you’re dealing with individual, often large, mirror-image pieces. It felt like I was playing a giant, fabric-based game of Tetris, trying to fit all these unique shapes onto my precious Ankara. My cutting mat has never seen so much action, or so many deep sighs.
Seriously, if you’re tackling Vogue 1941, prepare yourself for the cutting phase. It’s extensive. And just when you think you’re done with the cutting, you realize there are several large pieces to interface. This also takes up a significant chunk of time, as you want to be precise to ensure the skirt hangs beautifully and maintains its structured silhouette.
Let’s just say my iron got quite the workout that day. I’m pretty sure it looked at me and said, “Are we done yet?” If I had to put a number on it, I’d say it took me at least four times as long to cut out this pattern as it did to sew it. I am not exaggerating. I even questioned my life choices at one point, wondering if I should just order a pizza and call it a day. But then, I remembered the vision of that stunning leopard print skirt, and I powered through!
From Cutting Chaos to Sewing Serenity: The Facing is the Kicker!
Now for the good news, the really good news! Once you’ve conquered the cutting phase, you’re in for a treat. This asymmetrical skirt is super ridiculously easy to sew! No, really! Despite the intimidating cut, the actual construction is incredibly straightforward. There are only a few pieces to cut and sew, and the instructions are clear and concise. It was such a delightful contrast to the cutting marathon. I practically breezed through the sewing, humming a happy tune the whole time. It’s like the pattern designers knew they were putting us through the wringer with the cutting and decided to give us a break with the sewing. Bless them!
However, there’s one key technique that truly makes or breaks the professional finish of this skirt, especially with those beautiful large facings: you must know how to understitch and topstitch. The facings are absolutely the “kicker” with this pattern – they give it that clean, crisp edge and beautiful drape. If you skip these steps, you won’t get that polished, high-end look. Don’t fret if you’re new to these techniques! I have a fantastic tutorial on my YouTube channel that walks you through exactly how to understitch like a pro. YOu also need to understand grainline. You can watch it right here: Mastering Grainline. Mastering this will elevate your Vogue 1941 to a whole new level!
Choosing a View for Vogue 1941
I decided to make View B, the longer length, because I love the dramatic sweep of an Ankara maxi skirt. For my sizing, I cut and sewed a pattern size 10. However, I did make one significant alteration: I reduced all hems and hem-associated pieces by 4 inches. This was a personal preference to get just the right length for my height, ensuring it grazed my ankles perfectly without dragging.
A crucial tip when working with Vogue 1941 pattern, especially if you’re doing View B, is to remember that the hem is curved. This isn’t your average straight-line hem, so you need to be diligent when you cut, sew, and adjust. Take your time with this step; a beautifully curved hem makes all the difference in the finished look of an asymmetrical skirt. I spent extra time pressing and pinning the curve before I stitched it, and it really paid off. Patience truly is a virtue in moments like these. I reminded me of another asymmetric make – Butterick 6213.
My Photoshoot Debut: Styling My Leopard Masterpiece!
And just like that, my Vogue 1941 pattern skirt was finished! The leopard print Ankara looks absolutely phenomenal with the architectural lines of the asymmetrical skirt. It’s a statement piece, for sure.
For styling, I envision wearing this skirt with a sleek black Aritzia bodysuit. The simplicity of the bodysuit will really let the skirt shine and allow the vibrant Ankara print and the unique silhouette to be the star of the show. And to complete the look, I’ll be pairing it with my favorite Maje block heels though the shoes paired here are a suede Pedro Garcia wedge. The combination of the bold print, the elegant shape, and those chic accessories is going to be pure fire, if I do say so myself!
I really love that the Vogue 1941 pattern specifically mentions Ankara as a choice fabric. It feels like a nod to the beauty and versatility of these incredible textiles. Ankara fabric, with its bold patterns and vibrant colors, is truly a joy to work with, and it brings such a unique energy to any garment. Remember my mission trips to Ghana. If you need need a guide on how to fabric shop in Ghana check out my full post. If you’re looking to explore more about Ankara fabric, you can learn about its history and significance here. For more fantastic Ankara fabric resources, check out this great article from Mood Fabrics about sewing with African prints here. And if you’re curious about the history of Vogue Patterns, you can delve into that here.
Some challenges that paid off
This project was a fantastic reminder that even when a pattern throws a curveball (or several large, asymmetrical pieces to cut out!), the reward of a beautiful, handmade garment is always worth it. It’s also a testament to the fact that sometimes, the hardest part of a project isn’t the sewing at all, but the prep work! But now, every time I look at this stunning leopard print Ankara skirt, I’ll remember the triumph of getting through that cutting phase, and the pure joy of seeing it all come together so effortlessly in the end. And knowing it’s going to be immortalized in stunning photographs? That just makes it all the sweeter!
What’s your biggest sewing challenge you’ve overcome lately? Share your stories in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out some of my other favorite skirt patterns, like my recent post on the perfect everyday A-line skirt [link to a relevant internal blog post about an A-line skirt]. Or maybe you’re looking for tips on working with tricky fabrics? I’ve got you covered with my guide to sewing with slippery satins.
Happy sewing, everyone!