Hello Everyone,

I hope your summer has been enjoyable.

I’m excited to share my first skirt design.  Well, I’m not sure design is the word to use.  It’s a standard A-line skirt designed to my measurements.  Ah, that’s better.  Creating a skirt sloper has been on my sewing goal list for a couple of years.  I decided this was the year to tackle this project.

Making skirts for myself always requires the following adjustments; height, swayback, and protruding hip.  Depending on the skirt style, these adjustments can be a piece of cake or very detailed.  My last skirt project fizzled before it started.  By the time I thought about all my steps…..the thrill was gone. So, I decided to push play on Suzy Furrer Skirt Sloper class on Craftsy and let the fun begin.  BTW, I have added all of Suzy Furrer classes to my digital library on Craftsy.  Yep, I’m a Craftsy junkie.

My sewing buddy helped me take my measurements.  Before I knew it, I had a skirt block.  Then came shaping the skirt and sewing a muslin.  I must admit when I tried on my muslin, I became teary eyed.  It was a good fit!!!  No swayback, protruding hip, height adjustments were needed.  I felt liberated.  The only adjustment I made to my sloper was to remove excess fabric from the center back below my hip.

Now that I have a  good sloper, I designed an A-skirt using 2” inserts.  I like the end result, but, I think I want to design another with 1.5” inserts.  What I like about the design process, I make the decisions from start to finish.

 I choose a waist facing with the lining attached. I added twill tape to stabilize the waist, interface the zipper area and installed an invisible zipper. (My favorite)  I tried to add a zipper stay, but could not figure out how to make it work with a waist facing treatment.  A couture tip I learned from Allison Smith Couture Technique Class on Crafty.  It works better with a waistband treatment.

The fabric for my skirt is a stretch cotton I purchased in New York 2 yrs ago from Parons Fabric.  My lining choice,  bemberg rayon lining.  My go to lining. My shell is OOP Vogue 7261.   I used a black bamboo jersey from my stash.  What I like about this shell pattern, is that it’s self lined. No finishing neckline, armhole or hemming.  It’s my new go to shell pattern.

I’m in love with my skirt sloper.  My plan is to design all the skirts in the class.  My pencil skirt pattern is complete.  This class has given me the confidence to tackle the other classes.  I’m deciding whether to  create a top or pant sloper next.  We shall see.

Until next time…………..keep creating what makes you happy!!