I love skirts. Other than the logistics of sitting on the ground, I so much prefer them to shorts. And just when my thoughts swing toward sewing up some leg-baring options,
Crafterhours announces their annual
Skirt Week. How fortuitous!
This lovely Echino linen blend fabric was purchased for another purpose (an apron), but I kept coming back to it with a skirt in mind. Rifling through my pattern drawer revealed nothing that I was excited about, particularly for a single yard of fabric. So I drafted my own pattern!
Using
this wonderful book and my own measurements, I drew up a basic A-line skirt pattern. Then, using the lines created by the darts, made a simple 6 gore skirt. Since all skirts need pockets, I cut the side pieces, added pocket bags and trimmed them with piping.
The skirt is completely lined in white muslin, since the linen is actually a little itchy. Besides, I like a few more layers to hide any lumps and bumps.
I did have to make some slight fit adjustments, but no more than I would have had to make with a commercial pattern. Maybe even fewer!
This is a little dressier than I need for my current role as stay-at-home mom, but I guess it just means I'll have to plan more lunch dates!
this skirt is so cute, I love the fabric.. I love skirts too. so comfortable to wear.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Now, I have to plan a more casual silhouette for every day wear!
DeleteLove this. The print, the pattern, the pockets--all of it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! The print was way too good for an apron (my original intention for it)!
DeleteI love it! The pockets are perfect too!
ReplyDeleteI never know what to do with my hand when I'm just standing around, so bottoms should always have pockets! Dresses, too. :)
Deleteso basically instead of making darts, you achieve the same effect by your separate pieces becoming smaller as they get to the top?
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn, I drafted the darts as you would for a regular A-line skirt, but drew a line perpendicular from the waistline down to the hem from the bottom of the darts. I cut on that line creating three pieces for the front and 3 for the back. So yes, the pieces get narrower at the top, but it's the exact size of the darts. (Don't forget to add seam allowance!)
DeleteI found your blog through Rae's spring top sewalong post, and then saw this! I try not to do too much commenting on the flickr groups so as to remain biased and fair, but hey, I'm not a judge, so I'm just going to go ahead and say that this is currently my favorite skirt in the running! Your fit and fabric choice and pocket detail - it's all perfection. Very nice :) And thanks for the two shout-outs :)
ReplyDeleteps: i can't believe I haven't seen your blog before! following now!
Wow, thank you! Skirt Week is such good kick in the pants (or rather, skirt? :) to create something lovely, so I very much appreciate all the work you do to host the event for all of us!
Deletebeautiful! i love the piping.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love piping and try to work it in wherever I can :)
DeleteWhat a lovely skirt Nicole, it's really beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Samantha! I think I even have an occasion to wear it tomorrow!
DeleteThe skirt looks great! Love the fabric and the fit!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I wore it today, and it was comfortable through an entire day of sitting at a conference (and a bit of running to move my car :). Yay!
DeleteBrilliant! I used the same pattern (or, ah, well, you know..made from the same book) and also made panels but I love how yours is shaped in a straighter style. And, obviously, the fabric choice is brilliant. So glad that skirt week brought me to your blog! (I think my chances at winning skirt week are slimmer as a result but hey, life is to short to worry about that.) <3
ReplyDeleteAll the other mums at a playground would turn green with envy :) Love the skirt :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Great fit and super fun pockets. Love the fabric!
ReplyDeleteThis skirt is absolutely fantastic! I would buy it in a second!! Congrats on winning!!!
ReplyDeleteSo cute! Love the fabric and details.
ReplyDelete