Aqueous Skirt: Factory Size Samples
On Friday (Mar. 23, 2018) we received and evaluated a partial size set of the Aqueous Skirt from our factory!
The size grading looks good, and the waist measurements match our first product.
On Saturday I discussed a few minor adjustments with the factory owner, and we expect to have a complete size set (sizes 28-29 through 44-45) within the next 2-3 weeks! Then we’ll do our official product photo/video shoot.
The skirts shown are in two of the potential color options: grey and green. Based on feedback, I’m planning for grey to be the Kickstarter campaign’s initial available color. Green is one of the possible stretch-goal colors that we can aim for if we reach our goal early.
I hope it’s somewhat apparent in these photos how much more fluid (drapey) this Aqueous skirt is compared to our first product, the Unaligned skirt.
What’s harder to show is that despite the fluidity, the new model is also 25% heavier:
- Unaligned size 36-37: 15.6 oz / 0.44 kg
- Aqueous size 36-37: 19.4 oz / 0.55 kg
That’s one of this product’s primary goals: to have excellent drape while retaining and even surpassing the sturdy, weighty feel of our first product.
Aqueous Skirt Update
Our factory completed their first prototype of the Aqueous Skirt in late December.
FABRIC
After wear and wash testing, we’re switching the outer layer’s fabric. A fluid drape (flowiness) is an essential goal of this product, and it’s the source of its name. The 6.5 oz cotton twill wasn’t quite doing the trick.
We’re loving the 6 oz, 55% linen / 45% rayon plainweave we’ve replaced it with, though. The linen gives it a textured, natural “hand” (feel). The rayon counteracts the linen’s inherent wrinkliness and brings excellent drape.
The inner layer of the skirt is unchanged: a 12 oz rayon/nylon/spandex knit which is extraordinarily flowy, smooth, and heavy.
SEAMS
In making the prototype, the factory identified that the yield could be quite poor – meaning that a lot of fabric would be wasted. The skirt’s main body consists of just two pieces of fabric that wind around one another. Those two pieces, when cut out flat from a bolt of fabric, are elongated, curving shapes that can’t be arranged very efficiently for cutting.
So we’ve added one short, curved seam in both the front and the back (which are nearly identical). It follows the natural curving style of the design, and it divides each large piece into two smaller ones for less fabric waste.
PHOTO
This photo illustrates the new seam line and the new fabric.
** The pictured item is not really a skirt, though – it’s just a quick, crude, partial sew-up of the new pattern that I did to test the changes. So please pay no attention to the thread color, sloppy hem stitching, lack of pockets/waistband/belt loops, etc. :-)
NEXT STEPS
The factory has received the new fabric and will be updating the pattern file and making a second-round sample skirt. We expect no further changes.
Next they’ll grade the pattern into sizes. We’re planning on waist sizes 28-29 through 44-45 inches (Unaligned Skirt is 30-31 through 44-45).
Then they’ll make a size set which we can test and use for the Kickstarter photo shoot!
FEEDBACK
Your feedback is welcome, either here in the comments or via email: joe@skirtcraft.com
Skirtcraft.com Re-launched
We’ve just launched a brand new incarnation of https://skirtcraft.com, our unisex skirts shop! The new design is meant to be cleaner, easier to use, and better-functioning on mobile devices.
Check out our skirts ▲, and a map of all the places in the world we’ve shipped skirts to in the last 2 years. 🌍 Feedback is very welcome.
Market Booth
Off they go!
Dropped off the pre-orders of the Unaligned Skirt’s 2nd factory run yesterday!
Black, khaki, and grey skirts are now available for immediate shipment: https://skirtcraft.com/#products