Here are my two completed skirts from this Kwik Sew 3789 pattern:
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| Oh, and that cowl? Blogged about here |
The features that I liked about this skirt pattern are:
- Seams that were sewn overlapped
- Curves everywhere
- A flounce
- Elastic waist
I had already made five skirts this summer (before I started this blog). The finished skirt length of this pattern is 34 in., but I've shortened skirt patterns before, so this would be pretty easy, right? Not so fast, Nellie! Let's look at the pattern envelope, pattern pieces, and fabric layout.
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It's the skirt on the right
with overlapped seams |
Look at all those curves! Every piece is curved, and each curve is slightly different from every other curve. The very feature that appealed most to me turned out to be the feature that added a lot of effort to make this work (H/T to Tim Gunn, "Make it work!").
I saw that the "easiest" thing for me to do—and still retain the style of the skirt—would be to remove length in three areas: the top of pieces 1, 3, and 5; the bottom of pieces 2, 4, and 6; and the bottom of piece 7 (the flounce). I tried every which way to alter the pattern pieces before cutting out the fabric, but my mind just couldn't do it.
So I cut out the pattern pieces as shown and sewed pieces 1 to 2, 3 to 4, and 5 to 6. I then sewed pieces 1/2 to 3/4, and 1/2/3/4 to 5/6. I then cut 2 in. from the top of 1/3/5 and 2 in. from the bottom of 2/4/6. Next, I sewed 1/2/3/4/5/6 to 1/2, in other words, join all of these pieces vertically (sort of, remember, everything is curved and at an angle).
I was easily able to cut 2 in. from the bottom of pattern piece 7, the flounce. I then had to adjust the circumference of the top of the flounce to match the new circumference of pieces 1 through 6. I made the same adjustment to piece 8, which is the narrow band of fabric that covers the seam that joins the flounce to pieces 2/4/6. Other than that, it was easy—LOL.
In my second skirt (after making all of those changes, I just had to use the pattern again!), I wanted to add a pocket. At first I thought I could add an in-seam pocket here:
But the angle of that seam was the opposite of what would be comfortable. Maybe a patch pocket as drawn here:
Well, that didn't take into account that 2 in. was removed from the top. There was no way to add a patch pocket that didn't cross over a seam line or would be placed in a spot that would look goofy. So, no pocket.
So, my final thought about this pattern: It is a well-drafted pattern that is just perfect for someone who likes her skirts 34 in long. Or who really enjoys altering patterns.
Blessings and peace...
