An Everyday Skirt

This is the Everyday Skirt by Liesl & Co.  I saw it featured in Sew magazine recently and thought it would be a good wardrobe basic pattern.

The pattern is a pdf dowload from Liesl & Co at Oliver and S. It's the first Liesl & Co pattern that I have made and I was very impressed with the simplicity of this pattern and the clear and thorough instructions.

It's a skirt suitable for beginners and it features front pockets, a gathered front, side panels and elasticated waist band at the back. The pdf pattern was easy to put together. I sized down to a small (US 4-6) as the skirt is designed to be fairly relaxed and this size fits perfectly. 

I used some material is from my stash. It's a cheap and cheerful cotton purchased from myfabrics.co.uk last year, but I can't tell you anything more about it.

The waistband is cleverly constructed and finishes the inside of the skirt off very neatly.

The skirt has front pockets and I really like this feature. It's my first time making pockets and I'm really pleased with how they went. 

The back of the waist is gathered which means that it's a relaxed  and comfortable fit. It also means that it is fairly easy to fit as you just adjust to fit your waist.  I left mine fairly loose as the pattern is designed to be worn below the natural waistline.

It's perhaps not the most elegant finish at the back  of the waistband. My elastic was slightly narrowed than the half inch elastic stated in the pattern as it was all I had to hand. 

I'm also pleased with the gathering on the front as I sometimes find it hard to get the gathering evenly spaced. I utilized my daughter's John Lewis Mini sewing machine to do the gathering as I didn't want to have to change the thread on my machine.  Surprisingly I think using this machine was what made the difference as I seemed to be able to pull up the gathers better and they didn't drop out like usual.

Overall, I didn't make any changes to the pattern except I did not make a wide hem as this was the only bit of the instructions that I had difficulty following. The pattern allows for a 2 inch hem and gives instructions on sewing a row of gathering stitches 1/2 inch from the hem's raw edge and then pulling in the gathering stitches so that you can ease in the extra fullness in the curved sections of the hem. I had couldn't get this to work at all, so  in the end, I trimmed about half an inch from the length of the skirt and turned under a regular 2cm hem.  I double stitched this also for a decorative effect.

I really like this skirt and can see me making it again. It's a great basic pattern and would look good in a range of different fabrics and prints. And it's got pockets!

As you can also see I also now have a dressmaking dummy. It was my birthday last week, I got vouchers to buy her. Lucky me! 

Have you made the Everyday Skirt or do you have a favourite  basic skirt?

Catherine 

x

A day out....The Knitting and Stitching Show, London Olympia

I took the day off work on Thursday and went to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Olympia in London. Although not such a big show as October's Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, it's still a great day out. I went with my mum, armed with refreshments and a large bag!

There were a lot of fabric retailers there, mostly selling affordable fabrics.  It's the first time I've added to my stash this year as I am trying to be good, and use up some of my existing fabric.

I bought this from Simply Fabrics who are a retailer based in Brixton.  I think this will make up a nice summer dress. They had a selection of excellent priced fabrics and I think their shop must be worth a visit if you live in South London.

These fabrics I think came from Fabrics Galore, another South London fabric retailer. I think I need to move!

I'm thinking of this as a short sleeved blouse....

...and this as a skirt or maybe dress.

My final fabric was from Fabric Time who are based in Kingston upon Thames.  I bought this adorable polka dot and rose print.

This is going to definitely become a summer dress.

One of the busiest stalls was the McCalls pattern company. All their patterns were on offer for £4.50 or £12 for three. How could I resist!

I bought this "Patterns by Gertie" pattern to make up for my daughter: Butterick B5895. I think she will look cute in this. However, I don't think its a design for anyone but the skinny!

Loose-fitting top has front extending into collar and tie ends, and narrow hem on sleeves/back hemline.

I also picked up two dress patterns... Butterick B5982....

 Dress has close-fitting, lined bodice, side front seams, pleated and gathered skirt, back zipper, and belt with bow, knot and Velcro® closing. A/B, C D cup sizes.

....and Butterick 4443.

 Dress: close-fitting bodice and slightly flared skirt has bodice variations, back zipper and is below mid-knee length. B: contrast band, tie belt and purchased flower. C: tie belt. D: purchased ribbon and bow trim. E: purchased ribbon bow

I've not sewn any Butterick patterns before so I will be interested to see how they fit. I'm also a planning on losing a few pounds that have crept over the last year or so before I start on these. I have set myself a goal of losing a stone, so I will let you know how I get on!

On the knitting front, I bought 5 balls of this lovely aran weight yarn from Neil the knit.

It's called Aztec Aran and it's made by James C Brett which is not a company I've come across before. It's 10 percent alpaca so has a nice fluffy feel to it and it knits up nicely. I am going to make the tunic version on this pattern...

...and have already started.

I also bought some of this patterned yarn from the same stall. It's a self striping yarn and I am planning on knitting a simple round neck sweater with this to show off the pattern. 

Maybe this pattern...

Plenty to be getting on with...

Catherine x