Success!

I made a skirt! Not only is it wearable, I will actually wear it!



A few things I did for the first time on this project:
1. I graded the pattern size (way) up.
2. I redrew the pattern onto pattern paper rather than cutting the tissue.
3. I finished the seams by serging them. I was too lazy to rethread the serger, though, so I used black thread on my gold fabric. I also finished the hem edge by serging it, but then I cut off the serging. The fabric doesn't ravel anyway and the serging was crooked and unattractive.



4. I stitched the hem with the double needle on my sewing machine. Living dangerously, I wound up with exactly enough thread in the color I was using--another few inches and I'd have had to change color!



And, not a first, but I got a lot of help from my familiar William.



Below is my (first) review on Pattern Review:

Pattern Description: Misses'/Women's Dress or top, skirt, pants, jacket and tie belt. I made the skirt.

Pattern Sizing: Size AA: 10-18. I graded (way) up from the 18.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Not really--mine's fuller at the waist, shorter, less tapered, and I used a drapier fabric.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Absurdly easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? What's not to like? I like how simple it is. I also like the wardrobe-building possibilities in this pattern.

Fabric Used: I used a dark gold moleskin I bought at Jo-Ann years ago to make a cloak to go with a Lord of the Rings movie party costume! I never made the cloak; I could probably make the whole wardrobe out of the moleskin I have left after the skirt!

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I'm in serious denial about my dumpy shape, so I'm always trying to make too small a size. So this time I decided I'd just start with something way too big and enjoy making it smaller. I took the size 18 (should have bought the Women's sized pattern), shortened it by 6 inches and added 2 inches to each side of the pattern piece. Since the single piece is cut 4 times, that added 16 inches to the circumference of the skirt. Then I cut some of the excess out again and wound up with something that fits without having to think too hard about exactly what size I am. Neurotic, I know, but it worked. Of course, the final product bears little resemblance to the pattern picture.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes and yes. I need lots of skirts and will probably make another before the weekend is over. If you don't mind an elastic waist, this is quite serviceable.
Conclusion: I needed to make something to wear to work and to break a sewer's block I was suffering. This worked.