Simplicty 8019: How I did....

I wanted a skirt pattern which was a simple skirt with a bit of flare. I got that with the Simplicity pattern 2906. I saw this pattern however and had to have it. It is a re-print of a 1970s retro pattern. This was the second time I made this pattern. The first time I made it from some Michael Miller fabric (cool spools) which I'd bought a while ago and was waiting for the perfect project! This time I made it from a gorgeous Lewis and Irene fabric.

 

I bought myself a rotary cutter to cut my fabric with a few weeks ago. I'll be honest, I'm still getting used to it.

 

In order to ensure the skirt keeps it shape whilst constructing, its a good idea to stay stitch along the top (a row of stitching)

 

This pattern requires interfacing. I'll let you into a secret: I don't iron other than when sewing - I don't believe in it haha.

 

There are many different types of interfacing, but I use the medium weight, iron on interfacing for most of my projects as I mostly use woven cotton.

 

The interfacing I use asks for you to set your iron to a medium heat.

 

Once interfaced, the front of the front panels needs to be turned over for the buttons and buttonholes to be put on.

 

Once this is done the rest of the skirt needs to be constructed, so the two back panels sewn together, the side panels sewn to the front panels. Then the tow back panels sewn to the side panels. Giving you a front opening skirt.

 

Next is the waistband. On my first attempt at this skirt I did it right, this time my brain disengaged and I did it completely wrong. Like last time the first waistband I cut was too short, and I didn't have enough fabric left to cut another so I had to add a small piece of fabric onto either end.

 

You then place the waistband right side to right side to the skirt. Sew. Fold back onto its self (right side to right side on the waitband) sew. Fold over so the seams are encased and sew onto the skirt.

 

Next is to hem and add the buttonholes. On my latest machine I have only an automatic buttonhole. I must say I do wish my 4 step button hole. A lot. The automatic buttonhole is great most of the time, but sometimes things go wrong when sewing a buttonhole and you want  the ability to just go over the bit that has gone wrong rather than having to unpick the buttonhole and start all over again. Things that go wrong can be as simple as it gets caught on a bulky seam, as happened here...

 

Once you have (successfully) added your buttonholes, you just need to sew on your buttons (I must admit I am not a fan of hand sewing at all!)

 

Voila - finished :)

 

and one I made earlier:

 

I do really like this pattern. It is quite easy, and I do really like retro patterns. It is enjoyable and easy to make and the end result is effective. I think it would be easy to make each version really unique. Next time I'm thinking I might make it from denim, maybe with a rainbow on haha.

Simplicity 2906: How I did....

I saw this 'Cath Kidston esque' fabric in Trago Mills a few weeks ago and then went back to get it. I have no idea who it's actually by. Its very summery though. The pattern was another simplicity sale one, as I needed a plain slightly flarey skirt pattern.

It is a fairly straight forward pattern.

 

Firstly you sew up the side seams, bottom to top on the right side and up to the stitching mark on the left side, as this is where you will insert the (lapped) zip.

 

 

 

Next you insert the zipper. A 7 inch normal (so not invisible) zipper.

First pin and sew the right hand side of the zipper as normal.

 

As you can see I'm using my zipper foot to get a close stitch.

Next, pin the left side of the zipper with a folded over lap to create the 'lap' of the lapped zipper. I had never created a lapped zip before, this is how the directions in the pattern said to do it, so this is how I did it :)

 

 

Now onto the waistband. This requires webbing, again something I have never used (had to ask in the haberdashers what it was :) ).

The instructions in the pattern said to pin and stitch the top edge of the webbing onto the top edge of the waist.

 

 

Then, flip it over to the wrong side, thus creating a nice encased edge to the waistband. Pin and stitch.

 

Now, I'm only 5ft 1 inch, so most things are too long on me. When I cut this pattern out it seemed like it was going to be a midi skirt. It was, but with the width it did not look good, so I wanted it to be knee length, meaning I had to adjust the length (ahem, cut the excess off haha)

 

 

Penultimately was the hemming. I am not great at this on curved edges but we got there.

 

 

Lastly was the buttonhole and button. I had one of the lovely pink buttons left over from the sailor dress - it happened to be perfect for this skirt so it got used. I think it looks lovely.

 

 

Finished! I really liked this pattern, it was very easy. I would highly recommend it if you want to practise your zips, as it was easy to put a zip in as its a straight seam and you can just do an exposed zipper (or invisible) rather than a lapped one :) It didn't take me long at all to make :) very recommended for beginners.