Self-drafted Pleated Skirt - Done!

Well it came out a little bit long - which I didn't notice until I saw the pictures. And it's a little loose at the waist (somehow). And I got a run in my tights right before taking these pics. But otherwise I'm pretty happy with the results.

You can see the bend of the knee and how much longer the skirt is!

Here is the zip and vintage glass button. And loose-fitting waist.

Here is my bad posture and a good shot of the shape of the skirt.

Ta da! My first skirt :)

Skirt nearing completion

Spent a lot of time hand sewing today. Slip stitching the inside of the waistband to be exact, then finishing the zipper, and the button loop. Had time to hem but am just over it! Here is a sneak peek.

Print-tastic Skirt

Yesterday I designed the skirt pattern in 1/4 scale and then drafted it onto contractor's paper. I used "Pattern Drafting for Dressmaking" (which I have an e-copy of) and actually chose the first project, "side inverted pleat with dart shaping."

Today I have cut out the three pattern pieces and am trying to construct it. I've never made anything pleated before. When I'm at a loss I cast about for references. There's a little bit in "Complete Guide to Sewing," this picture tutorial, this pdf "Darts, Ease, Gathers, Pleats, Shirring, Tucks" that addresses the problem. What I am unsure about executing the is dart releasing the pleat...

University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service - your PDFs are rad. I haven't found any lists of PDFs and just bump into y'all with google but when I find one, it's golden.

Anyway I should get back to that construction just thought I'd stop by and check in.

Print-tastic

For my birthday my spouse took me to see the ballet in San Francisco. We made it in to a weekend trip so Saturday we went shopping. I got this black and white print fabric in a heavy, smooth polyester at Silk Road in Oakland. I knew when I saw it that it ought to be a skirt - fabric store lady suggested a jacket which is a great idea but not something my wardrobe needs as badly. Here is an example of the skirt shape I'm thinking about. The question now is, do I have time to draft and construct it to be ready by my birthday (on Monday!)?