Today the weather forecast is for an extraordinarily hot day. The mercury is tipped to reach somewhere around 44°C (111°F); maybe higher. With health and well-being at the forefront of my mind, I sprang into action last night and ... made a new skirt.
The skirt is Butterick B5043 (view A), a gathered skirt on a yoke. (Shhh don't tell anyone - the waist is elasticised and very comfy). The print is a cheap remnant from discount store, Big W. In fact I think the fabric itself is very good quality and I managed to lay my hands on a bit of a bargain. Though not marked as such, it looks to me like a nice quality stretch poplin. (In fact the only clue on its packaing as to what it is, seemed to be the word fabric. Not inaccurate, but perhaps a little general?)
I can highly recommend pattern B5043, especially if you are a beginner. This is the second skirt I have made from the pattern and I am tempted to make more. Its classified by Butterick as an express or "2 hour" pattern and I should think that claim isn't too far off the mark. The view I made up, is cut in four simple pieces, stitched up with just 7 seams and of course, has no zipper.
I made some small departures from both the pattern and instructions. Firstly I lengthened the yoke by about 8cm (3"), so that the skirt gathers (bulk!) wouldn't start right at the roundest part of my tummy. I then enclosed the nasty raggedy seam joining the yoke and skirt with bias binding and top stitched it in place. Finally I trimmed the hem with more bias binding. It seems that no project is complete without a bit of binding at the moment. (Could it be that I have a problem?)
I hope that the skirt will stand up to the rigours of this hot summer's day. But if it doesn't, at least the trim should look nice. Appearances are everything.
Hot day skirt? You are just tormenting now aren't you? I am about to venture out in to blizzard conditions (well, not far off) all the way down the hill to collect my terences from school and then trudge all the way back up again.
ReplyDeleteI would not have guessed it was elastic! And comfy? Great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review of this pattern. I'm going to go get my own now. I am very far away in WV, USA. Very cold, snowy day here!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great, and you are even using some of your fancy seamalong techniques with bias. Very nice! An elastic waist is always comfy for those of us challenged in the midsection (and I never wear anything tucked in, so no-one knows the waist is elastic anyway!). Fantastic fabric find too!
ReplyDeleteI just made an elastic waist one too, I only like hipster stuff as I have a short waist! I used a Favourite Things pattern, wish I seen your one, though, I like the green bubble skirt too.
ReplyDeleteGood idea making a cool skirt - something girly for a mum with boys. Good find hey! I like the pattern. Going to do a cat walk for us to see?
ReplyDeleteGreat skirt- must track down that pattern, have just the fabric in mind! Think I'd prefer to wear NOTHING today however!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! I must admit, I had the same idea last night, but neither the pattern nor the ... nonsense, I have tons of fabric, what am I saying? (heat delerium. And it's only 10:15)
ReplyDeleteLooks GREAT.
great skirt! I think you are quite an expert with the binding!
ReplyDeleteI am not much of a skirt person, but I have been eying my fabrics, plotting a few, in self defense. This heat is going to kill me. I swear.
ReplyDeleteVery cute skirt. :p
Argh! The heat! I need a skirt like that - nice and flowy and elastic. B5043 you say - I think I'll give it a go!
ReplyDeleteThis heat is ridiculous!! But you must be feeling cool in your cool skirt! Love it. You're so clever!
ReplyDeleteHey, great skirt! I am an absolute lover of bias, I use it on everything, always makes clothes look finished and really neat!
ReplyDeleteLovely skirt!
ReplyDeleteBig W sell fabric?? I did not know this; will have to check it out one day (be very useful for my 'practising' efforts).