Tiffany: Modest Skirt Sew Along (Draft your pattern)

So, let’s get this modest skirt sew along started! The most important part of this process is drafting a pattern. I had to study the book Sew What! Skirts and plan, plan, plan. It’s not very difficult to understand, but it does require concentration and a little problem solving. I will give you an overview of the process I’m using, but you really need to pick up the book to understand some of the techniques. I hoped to sew my skirt ahead of time then share it with you, but that didn’t happen; you actually get to follow along as I sew a modest skirt. (Lord, please let this work)

Because I’m making an elastic waist skirt, I only needed two measurements: width of the widest part of my hips and my desired length. I will add my own twist to the process to create pockets as well as the paper bag waistline. Also, there aren’t specific instructions on making a straight skirt with an elastic waist, so I’m making it up as I go along. (Lord, I really need Your help)

Materials

I used a roll of wrapping paper, a ruler, tape measure, and a marker to create my skirt pattern

A little bit of math

After determining my hip measurement and my desired length, I used the formula found on page 17 of the book:

Hip measurement + 2 inch seam allowance + 2-4 inches of ease = _____ divided by 4

Desired length + 1 inch hem+ 3 inch seam allowance at the waist (for 1 inch elastic)+ 1 inch for my paper bag waistline = ______

Next, I plotted my measurements onto my wrapping paper

Point 1- Is my starting point on my wrapping paper

Point 2- Is about a 1/2inch to an inch above (this will help make the waistline curve)

Point 3- My desired length

Point 4- My hip measurement (from point 2 to point 4)

Point 5- The book did not include this point. I added this width based on the bottom of another skirt I had. I wanted to make a somewhat straight skirt while making sure I will be able to walk without a split or kick pleat.

Connect the dots:

I drew a curved line from 1 to 4. Then, I drew a line from point 4 to the hemline. This is going to be my seam and determines if I have a straight or a-line skirt. I think I may want my skirt to be a little straighter, more like pencil skirt but we’ll see. Finally, I used a long ruler, to make points following the curve of my waistline to the hemline.