Sewing Experiment: First Pattern -Butterick A Line Skirt

Making my first skirt from a pattern

I have been so busy sewing owls and gold bags that I haven't ventured into making any clothes yet. Well that's only a partial truth... The other half is I absolutely hate to fail at anything so I won't attempt it unless I am fairly certain of success... So now that I am more comfortable in my sewing abilities I have set out to make my first skirt....

The first step of course is a good coupon for Joann's fabric store. A sewing buddy of mine was kind enough to share one of her coupons so off I went...  The Joann's out here is on the opposite side of town for me so I lopped a gold claim errand onto my fabric hunt and made a day of it on the north end of Vegas.That way I can justify the use of gas to Matt. LOL

The Joann's is huge! The first time I walked in my jaw dropped and I just stood there not sure where to go first.
I spent a good bit of time looking through pattern books trying to find something simple. I settled on a nice A-line skirt. I figure it will be an easy first project and something I can surely wear.  They have tons of fabric but most of it is more for quilting.

 I was hoping to find some great tribal prints or abstract designs but there was a lot of frogs, flowers, and old lady prints... Not exactly what I had in mind. So I need to do a little more research on fabric stores here in Vegas and see if I cant find something geared more towards fashion designers. Another thing I found alarming was that all the fabric bolts read Made In China.... I guess I shouldn't be surprised but if I can find some good quality fabrics not made in China I will spend the money for them.

My first skirt will be made of muslin fabric. I get to install my first zipper, waist band, and a finished hem on this piece. I can also get a feel for the pattern and how a 2-d pattern translates to a 3-d body.


First step: Study the pattern

Trying to figure it all out

  I sat there for a long time reading over the pattern, trying to imaging everything cut out and pieced together before I made my first cut of fabric. For a first timer like me the pattern wasn't as detailed as I was hoping for.  I finally got antsy and just plunged into cutting the fabric.  Well I didn't calculate right and the square I thought would be big enough wasn't. So I wasted a little bit of fabric but at least I can use it for a gold bag:)  That might have been a fatal error though if I had only small amount of specialty fabric to work with... Glad I am getting the kinks worked out now, LOL.

Using the carbon paper to transfer the pattern lines

Step 2: Iron, Iron, and Iron some more....

I am pretty sure 99% of your time is consumed with laying out the pattern, transferring the marks, and once you have it cut, ironing. Seriously, every step requires it if you want your skirt to come out straight... Just keep that baby piping hot and ready because you will use it....

Step 3: Fitting and Zippers

So I have my sides sewn together. I basted one side so I could adjust the size if needed but the size was perfect. Now I just need to sew it up and begin the zipper insertion.
 The zipper was more scary to think about than actually sew in. Basting the sucker down is a good idea because otherwise it might shift a little while your sewing along. Another good trick is to put a piece of 1/2in tape good side of your fabric as your guide. Just run the presser foot along side the tap and you get a nice straight stitch with out running into the zipper. Other than that there really isn't much to it. Just straight stitch up and down and your done.

Step:4 Waistband

First completed zipper

 

 

 

 

 

Thank goodness for books! They are priceless

This step is something you will use time and time again like the zipper. Just as easy but it takes a little thought before you sew it down. You need to determine where you want your button, snap, or hook +Eye to line up, and how that fits with the zipper. I didn't have interfacing so for this skirt it's just two pieces of fabric folded but for the next skirt I will be prepared. Once you have everything pinned and lined up you just sew it down. ...

The final product!

The final step is the hemming... It requires more ironing and since I don't have a serger I like to use a zig-zag stitch to prevent fraying. Let me tell you muslin likes to fray...
 I ironed the bottom up 5/8th of an inch and used the zig-zag stitch to prevent frays. Then I folded that over an other 1/2in and ironed for a nice crisp line. Then I finished it off with my final straight stitch and I was done. This skirt was something that you could definitely finish in a day and wear out to dinner that night:) 

Now I just need some cool fabric so I can make another. I want to try a dress next too.