This skirt is cute and really easy to make. It’s a simple wrap skirt, so it’s easy to adjust it to your exact size.I liked the front of the skirt because it’s different, but I think this skirt needs darts in the back. I have had a bit of a hard time getting the waist to fit the way I’d like.
Supplies
(Click fabrics for direct links for purchase at Warehouse Fabrics Inc.)
Hampstead Ebony
Black sheeting
Lightweight fusible interfacing
5-6 buttons
Fabric needs depend on size, which can be found on pattern. I started with 2 yards of the main fabric and had leftovers. I had 1 yard of the lining fabric and 1 yard of lightweight fusible interfacing. The pattern uses 5 buttons (about 5/8″), but I added an extra one.
The pattern
This pattern from Interweave was featured in Stitch magazine and is available online at interweavestore.com. The direct link is here. You can also find coupons here. There are 47 pages to print and tape together before you can cut out your pattern. I simply paid for my pattern, downloaded it and then uploaded the PDF file to FedEx Office (formerly Kinkos). I think it cost me about $5 to have it printed, which is probably less than I’d spend on paper and ink for my printer. Make sure you print to exact size or your pattern will not come out the right size.All of this sounds like a bit of a pain, and I thought it would be. But it was quick and easy. The hardest part was taping the pages together while keeping an inquisitive and destructive baby away.I did change the way part of the skirt’s hem was done. I think this method makes a much neater and flatter hem. See below.
The process – changes to the hem
You’ll have to get the pattern for full instructions, of course, but I wanted to address the hem. There is a facing that runs along the waist of the skirt and down each front edge.The pattern has you simply fold up twice to hem, encasing the facing in the hem, as shown at left.To me, this seemed really bulky and sloppy looking.
There is a better way. See how much neater this looks?
First, turn your facing around at the hem of the skirt so that the right sides are together. Sew a seam that is the total width of your hem. For instance, the hemming instructions on this pattern said to turn up and press 3/8″ and then turn another 5/8″ and sew. That’s a total of 1″, so I sewed this seam here at 1″.Now clip that corner to reduce bulk and turn it around.
You’ll get this nice corner. Now the bottom of the skirt between each facing is still unhemmed.
You’ll simply turn it under, pin and press.Since this skirt was curved along the bottom, I found it best to pin at the seams first and then in the middle between each seam, and then continue along. That helped me keep things more even.When you sew, you’ll sew from edge to edge, including right over the facing. Otherwise, you’d see a seamline from the right side starting and stopping part way in from each edge. See three pictures up.
Here is a picture of the front bottom corners using this method. Nice and crisp, and no bulk.
This pattern suggested finishing all raw edges before sewing. I don’t know why this has never dawned on me. It allows you to have serged seams that are pressed open, reducing the bulk of the seam. I always try to finish these raw edges after sewing the seam.
The hardest part of this project was cutting open the buttonholes after making them. The fabric was folded so thick in these areas, that I had a really hard time doing so. Other than that, this was a fun and easy project!
