Skirt- test run

You must've seen these in the blogisphere- I've seen them everywhere, Lotta Jansdotter's new fabric line for Windham Echo.  As soon as they came in at M is for Make, I knew I wanted some for a skirt and couldn't resist the fat 16th bundle, 12 little pieces from the whole line.  

This is the skirt, Cynthia Rowley for Simplicity 2215.  I plan to make the dress too, but the skirt will do for now.  Before I cut into the good stuff, I am being very well behaved and making a toile, a test run to check size and shape.  I tend to pick patterns based on how I would like to look, not on what always suits me- there is a high degree of wishing I was the sort of women who dressed like this or that, rather than what I really wear. 

If you are unsure about doing a pattern, I thoroughly recommend a look at Pattern Review.  I look at this site before I buy any pattern because you can always find someone else who has made it and read the highs and the lows.  It helps with sizing and also highlights potentially tricky areas- on this skirt there are pockets and a concealed zip both in the same side seam.  It helps to know such things in advance!  I made this on my new machine- named Florence as in Florence and the Machine.  The name followed a very funny conversation with Melinda who names not only her sewing machines, but her kitchen appliances too- I'll say no more, maybe she will elaborate but she cracked me up!  

I was very unsure when I was making this.  I don't usually wear my skirts so high.  I tend to wear very long low waisted skirts but I am a bit tired of hiding everything all the time so I fancied a change.  I also hate very close fitting clothes so I am making this with a bit of ease as it is quite a fitted shape

Apologies for the blurry photos, it was poor light and I was wobbling around.  I am happy with the test skirt, especially the pockets.

I am quite slim but also curvy and fullness around the waist can make me look rather plump but I think the shape works in this case.  It is hard to look at yourself objectively but this looks better than I thought it was and I threw it together very quickly.  You can just see the gap underneath my pocketed hand- hiding a big expanse of hip where the zipper would go- very attractive!

The hem is a lovely detail and when I make this on the real skirt I will show the process as it is not hard and adds a bit of weight and texture.  The very bottom of the hem is a raw edge and the lower crossweave threads will be removed to make a fringe.

Fancy making a skirt but want the help of others along the way?  Check out Anna's  Sew-a-long.  Fancy finding out more about dress making and using beautiful and feminine patterns, visit Florence's blog and read her review of the new Colette Sewing Handbook.  Tomorrow she interviews Sarai Mitnick, the founder of Colette.  Happy reading and happy sewing x