Simplicity 1783: Denim Skirt

My last version of this skirt stretched out over time and I donated it in the last big wardrobe cleanout. For a skirt I didn't wear that often I've really  missed having it.

This pattern needs bugger all fabric, I squeezed this out of just over 1m of denim leftover from a pair of jeans. This denim is thicker than my first version and sits a bit stiffer but it wears well and I know it will soften up with a few more washes.

I made the skirt a pull-on, not just because I'm obsessed with pull on bottoms at the moment, but the first waistband stretched out at least a couple of sizes and at least with an elastic waistband I don't have to worry about that happening again!

Pattern details;
Size 18
Tilted waist adjustment - removed 2" from front rise
Changed the vent from the front to the back

I really love the vent on this pattern, very easy to sew and sits really nicely while wearing.

SBCC 302: Cosmo maxi skirt

I'd been contemplating this skirt for awhile and then I saw Thornberry's version and downloaded it straight away!
I've been wanting a simple pull on knit maxi for ages - I made up Simplicity 1616 (unblogged) which was ok.....but not swishy enough and it was really short. Agreeably this pattern is specifically towards petite so is too short as well but at least you know it before you cut it out.

Pattern Details:
Size 1XL
Added 3" to the lengthen line
Added 3" to the waistband height (I'm 5'7" and I like my maxi's to graze the floor)

Fabric is a spandex knit from Spotlight that's on sale (I bought a few metres of it and am thinking about going back for more!)

I am so impressed with this pattern - I never have to do this few adjustments and the fit is pretty spot on. I could potentially go up a size and I think I will for the next version but other than that its kind of perfect! And so swishy!

I do have a couple of nit-picks about the instructions though, I found the waistband attachment a bit confusing - there are no notches or markings on the pattern piece, I went with the grainlines to work out what was the sides and top of the waistband. The instructions on how to attach were a bit odd too.

But overall, highly recommended.

Sewaholic 1401: Gabriola Skirt

I've had this pattern since it came out but seeing Julia Bobbins gorgeous skirt made me get it out and get started!
After making the vogue 1247 skirt I really like a straight waistband on me, it makes the skirt hang better and doesn't give the fitting nightmares that I've had on skirts before. All this is missing is some pockets, with all those seam lines on the yoke its crying out for a hidden pocket or two....next time!

Size wise: I used the size 16 and graded up at the waist to about a sz 20. I think this has to be the most easiest skirt to fit I've ever made because I made no other adjustments.

The blue fabric is a rayon from Spotlight, I didn't have quite enough (2.5m of 112cm wide) so I made the skirt side panels less flared at the bottom and used a black cotton poplin for the yoke inserts and waistband. I do wish I'd used a more thicker fabric on the yoke and waistband, it does feel a bit flimsy and could do with a bit more heft. Its showing up pretty lurid on my monitor, but its just a nice bright blue in real life.

The waistband called for interfacing but I used elastic instead.

I love how fitted it is at the waist and hips and how swishy it is to wear, it really is a fantastic pattern and I can see a few more makes in my future!

Vogue 1247: Denim Skirt

I feel like I'm the last person to make this pattern up - I've admired the skirt on so many of my favourite bloggers and finally picked up the pattern when Spotlight did one of their very rare $5 pattern sales.

The pattern goes up to a sz 18 (38-32-42), so I had to grade up about 8" - I did a really simple grade by just adding 2" to each of  the side seams. This made the pockets a bit too close together at the front so I widened them to make it look balanced. Lengthened it by about 4"

I took a wedge out of the front length for my tilted waist. Not sure if I should have taken more out or changed the front darts a bit though because it bunches up when I wear it over leggings, can't see it if I wear my top untucked though.

 

This is my second version of this skirt - first version was a lovely ikat cotton, it was just too thin though and didn't sit right. The fabric here is a medium weight denim I picked up from a clearing sale. Its lovely and soft, and I used hug and snug binding to do the seams inside.

 

Its a lot shorter than I'd usually wear a skirt, but since I normally wear skirts over leggings I thought I'd challenge myself!

Simplicity 1783: Denim Skirt

I've been dreaming of summer! Its been such a long cold winter down here this year, lots of frosts in the morning and rain. So its nice to sew summery clothes and dream of the beach and warm evening walks with the family!


I actually got this pattern for the pants (though they'd be nice made in bengalene for work), but I really liked the skirt and the top as well! Its meant to be made from a non-stretch fabric but I wanted a basic denim skirt. I graded up to a sz24 but with the stretch I ended up sewing a sz20. I made a tilted waist adjustment (finally figured out that's what I was doing when I raised the back waistband and lowered the front!), added back pockets too just to break the back up a bit.


I love using jeans buttons and rivets and have been ordering the prym brand from the UK to use with the prym pliers (beats a hammer any day!), but the stockist I'd been buying through has closed down. I found mrecht recommended on patternreview, you have to buy in bulk (100 buttons!) and they sell the backing bits separate, but it works out really cheap and I'm pretty impressed with them.


I really like the construction of the vent, I changed mine from being on the front of the skirt to the back and I like how its got a facing on it so it doesnt gape open.


I really like this skirt, I'll be making more for summer :)

Style Arc : Bobbie Bask Skirt V2.0

So I loved my last version enough that I made it again straight away, with the extra length added at the beginning this time!

I used a jersey which is a bit heavier than the ITY knit I used last time, but I've been wanting a stripy circle skirt since I saw this one over at icandy handmade

I like the way her stripes run more than mine, but this was the only way I could fit it onto my fabric.



This skirt is so comfy, I love it! The perfect summer skirt to sit at the beach and eat Fish and Chips!

Style Arc : Bobbie Bask Skirt

I found Style Arc Patterns the other day from Pattern Review, I love their Clover Cape and the Jasmine Pant, but seeing as I need more skirts first I got the Bobbie Bask skirt

I mean its a pull on circle skirt, who can resist!

Pattern Description: Fun semi-circle knit, knee length skirt, featuring a flattering gathered bask. Elastic waist makes this skirt easy to wear and easy to sew.



Size: Style arc don't do multisize patterns so I checked the sizing and ordered an 18 which I found spot on.

Pattern instructions; I found them a bit brief, there were a couple photos which helped a lot, but I would recommend some help if you were a beginner - the skirt itself is very easy to make and would be fine as a beginner project.

I used a ITY knit that was in my stash for the first version, and because I was feeling like living dangerously, I decided to do no muslin.

The only change I had to do was add 4" to the length - the pattern description say's its a knee length, but I found it a lot shorter.

I love the gathered waistband, it does add a bit of bulk though, so if I was using a heavier knit (like a ponte) I wouldn't have gathered it, I reckon just doubled over would be fine.

You can see where I joined on an extra strip for length. I used the rolled hem on my serger to finish the hem, and a mix of stretch stitch on my Janome for the waistband and a straight stich for the skirt sides and serged all the edges. I find if I just serge it isn't as strong and I get thread showing, could be that my serger needs a service (I was given it, its 23 years old and as far as I'm aware has never been serviced)


Anyway, I highly recommend Style Arc, I found the skirt was beautifully drafted, it all went together like a dream and the fit was spot on. I like how they include a sample of the fabric used to make the sample skirt so you can get a better idea of what fabric's the best and I found the sizing spot on - pretty much exactly what I wear in RTW clothing. I like the drape of the skirt and how the waistband is elastic but doesn't look elastic, in fact you sew the elastic on as if it was stay tape, so it stops the waist from stretching out over time as well.