The First of Two Summer Skirts

When I was in my 20's, I primarily sewed skirts. I could make 2 or 3 on a Saturday afternoon. Add a great blouse, which I could tuck in at the time, and I had 3 new outfits for the work week! Of course, I was a perfect size 12 straight out of the pattern envelope then, and I don't remember lining anything either!

I love sewing skirts! I love that you can get a great punch of color or an interesting print in such a fashionable piece. I also love the fact that a skirt can be any length and how it makes me feel feminine and flirty. But the best thing about a skirt is how cool it is on a hot summer's day! I would rather wear a skirt than wear a pair of jeans any day ~ does that date me?! *LOL*

Here is skirt one:

Right side out and inside out

Fabric:

100% rayon print from Emmaonesock

Notions:

2 yards of lime green lining

burgundy lingerie elastic

3 yards of white 1.5" lace for the lining hem

Pattern:

OOP McCalls pattern 2795 copyright 2000.

Pattern Description: Misses'/Miss Petite Shirt-Jacket, Top, Pull-on Pants and Bias Skirt, Easy fitting skirt-jacket or top has loop and button closure and side slits; sleeveless top has bust darts, pull-on pants and bias skirt have elastic waist; pants have side seam pockets.

This is the original description of the pattern. I have primarily used the skirt pattern. And I have altered the pattern into several different versions - shorter bias skirt, 4 gore bias skirt, and a longer 4-gore straight grain skirt. I used the last version for this skirt.

Alterations:

None ~ since this is a TNT pattern. I basically lay it down, cut it out and sew it.

However, this is the first time that I made this skirt using lingerie elastic at the waistline. So it was a different experience. I measured the length for the elastic by putting it up to a pair of my underwear, marked it and left enough for a seam allowance before cutting it. To apply it to the skirt, I pinned the sewn elastic circle to the four seams. Then stretched the elastic as I sewed it down. I saw a friend of mine wearing a skirt like this a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to duplicate the look. Especially since this has been a popular skirt treatment at JJill.

The only other addition was that I added a small lace trim to the hem of the lining. Why? Probably because I could and lately I have been trying to use up some of the trims that are overflowing my trim drawer! It's a nice touch.

And a tip when hemming a wide bottom skirt - I sew the amount that I want to turn under on my sewing machine using a basting stitch. Then I press this up. The steam gives me the ability to shape the hem. On this skirt I used a double folded hem because I didn't want to use rayon hem tape to clean finish the hem.

Finally here is a shot of me and how I will wear the skirt to work tomorrow...I think though that I will do my hair and make-up! *smile*