Long Skirt: My Own Design AND Pattern

Well, I am so enthusiastic about this I can not stop planing new projecs with my new learnt ability! Thanks to the wonderful Aldrich's pattern making book,

I can finally made my own patterns!!! Her system is mathematical, effective, Oh! wonderful!. Last summer I was practicing drawing the basic blocks, and finally I decided it was worth a try with a real project. This skirt was the perfect project to start with, becasue I always have to alter the comercial patterns to adjust them to my real proportions.

First, I draw the basic skirt block, and then cut it and spread the parts to get a flared long skirt pattern. I was methodicall thorough and through, making first a toile, which already proved perfect, and then cutting the real fabric on the true bias.

I followed all my recently learnt advices from Khalje, Shaeffer and Hirsh to sew the zipper, to apply the underlining, to cut the fabric with the toile and then stitching it all around, to let the skirt hang before marking the hem, etc, etc.

The result was simply perfect.

On with my following project, hello paternmaking, goodbye commercial patterns!

Easy Does It

The best thing about this project is the fabric, it sure is. Not only the colour is espectacular, but also its soft touch and great way of hanging down. I found it in a retail store and it was the only piece they had, so I had to adapt the project to its measure. After doubting between a short sleeved dress, or a long sleeved jumper, I finally reached a middle point, and made a very short dress with thre quarter sleeves. I have to wear it over leggings and a long sleeved bodysuit, but It has came out perfect I think.
The pattern is a classic, it is the same as this dress, and many other knitt and jumper dresses and t-shirts I have sewn over time. I specially like the raglan sleeves.