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Pattern Review ~ Cute Skirts Pattern
From Beth: This fantastic pattern review by Megan kicks off a month’s worth of skirt pattern reviews. Megan makes a good case for immediately starting your own Cute Skirt. For more on Megan don’t miss her introduction and, if you haven’t already, you’ll want to become a regular reader of her blog, The Scent of Water.
| Pattern | |
| Cute Skirts by Favorite Things | |
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| Description | |
| A simple skirt with 8 panels, and options to add gores or a flounce. | |
| Materials | |
| 1¾ yards fabric (44 inch wide) ¾ yard fusible interfacing 1 pkg. 1” waistband elastic thread |
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| Additional fabric for flounces or gores listed on the pattern. | |
| Overall Design |  |
| It’s not often that sophisticated style meets easy construction, but it does here. The 8 panels combined with the elasticized back waistband make for an individualized, flattering fit, and the flounce and gore options mean you can achieve a multitude of looks with the same pattern. | |
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| Written Instructions | |
| The written instructions are clear, easy to follow, and a little less formal than most, which was an appealing touch. My first read through of a sewing pattern usually leaves me a little bewildered on the details but this time I was quite confident on how the skirt went together before I started sewing. It is constructed differently than I would have imagined if I had just seen the cut out pattern pieces, however, and so it really is important to read through the instructions before you start. | |
| Diagrams / Images | |
| I loved the hand-drawn look of these. They were also quite clear, and I found them very easy to follow. | |
| Pattern Pieces | |
| The basic skirt has three exceptionally simple pattern pieces to cut out. Though there are 8 panels, it is so quick and easy to cut them out, particularly if you double the fabric and cut 2 at a time, that I found myself not minding at all. This is the part of garment making I like least, so it was a pleasant surprise to have it be such a simple process. | |
| The pattern itself is standard flimsy tissue, and as this skirt looks so good, has so many possible variations, and is easy to make, it would seem wise to take the time to trace the pattern on to better paper so that it will stand up to being used many times. | |
| Overall Level of Difficulty | Very Easy |
| The great thing about this skirt, aside from its sophisticated look, is how amazingly easy it is to put together. I started mine mid-morning and had it finished well before lunch, and I am not a quick sewer. I made the basic skirt, and am sure that a beginner would have little trouble with it, even if they wished to add in the flounce or gores. More advanced sewers will find the speed of making the skirt quite satisfying and any adaptations they wish to make, such as in length, quite easy and obvious. | |
| Modifications + Tips |
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| I didn’t modify the skirt at all, but when I make it again (as I surely will), I will be lengthening it considerably. I am average height and the finished skirt was about knee length on me, which I personally find too short. Nobody needs to see these knees. However, it is clearly marked on the panels exactly where to lengthen and shorten them, so changing the length either way is a very simple process. This also means, of course, that if you are very much taller or shorter than average, making the skirt to fit your proportions will not be a problem. | |
I would advise taking the time to hand sew the waistband as per the pattern instructions. Though you can machine sew it (and I did for speed), hand sewing will give a totally professional look, and this skirt is worth it.
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| Fabric Recommendations | |
| I used a lightweight cotton from my stash, as I usually do on a first run through of a new pattern. It worked fine, and will make a nice summer weight skirt, but I think the skirt would fall even better with a heavier weight fabric, and that is what I will be using for it in the future. However, one of the many great things about this pattern is that it is so adaptable to many different styles and fabrics, and you could make the same thing in 3 different types of fabric, from denim through to satin, and have three different, equally successful, looks. The additional weight of the flounce or gores would probably make a lighter cotton work well. | |
| As a small aside, it’s important to use fusible interfacing. I used sewn-in interfacing and the waistband bunched just a little bit because of it. | |
| Conclusion | |
| I had been keen to review this pattern because I had already heard good things about it from other sewers, and I was not disappointed. As with all simple things, the secret of its success lies in the detail. Take the time to finish the seams nicely, sew the waistband properly, and make sure the seams are all laying the same way, and you will have a very cute, extremely wearable, and professional looking skirt. I thoroughly enjoyed making it and I am already planning in my mind how I am going to make a little mini-wardrobe of these skirts: the possible variations on the one basic pattern are huge. | |
| This pattern ranges from a size 4 to a size 22, and will easily fit the specific dimensions of most women. Cut out the size nearest to your hip measurements (details on the pattern) as the waist and length are easy to adjust, as previously mentioned, making for a tailored just-for-you fit. | |
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| I think it’s a genius little pattern, will be using it often, and not only recommend it but will be looking to buy more Favorite Things patterns in the future myself based on the simplicity, great design, and ease of this one. | |
[tags]sewing pattern review, skirt pattern review, Cute Skirts pattern, Favorite Things pattern review[/tags]
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on Monday, May 7th, 2007 at 6:47 pm and is filed under Pattern Reviews.
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Thank you for the pattern review! I have been eyeing this pattern and wondering if I should attempt it. Now I definitely will!
Thanks for the review. I have had this in my wish list for a while. With the great review and it being skirt month, I can’t wait to order it.
I’ve made three skirts from this pattern, two with the flounce and one without–see one here: http://sissyvette.blogspot.com/2006/10/only-four-months-late.html
I agree completely with your review, and am planning to make several more for summer!
Great and useful review. I love the look of these skirts, and you just convinced me to get the pattern.
Very thorough review, and I concur. My first attempt was a lightweight, cotton – and though I love it, my second attempt- using 90/10 cotton lycra – turned out even better. Thes skirt is posted to the flickr group.
Thank you for this review! This is the skirt I’m making for Skirt Month, and as a beginning sewer I rely on reading about others’ experiences.
What an excellent review. I have been eyeing this pattern for a few months now. Maybe I’ll actually purchase it now.
This looks simple enough for a nervous beginner like me. Thanks for the review.
Thank you for sharing this review! I found it very helpful and cannot wait to try making one.
Thanks for the review – looking forward to making it now. It doesn’t appear that there is a lining to this skirt – is that right? If you made it with a lightweight cotton, did you line it on your own, or did you wear a slip? I haven’t worn slips for the longest time but the really lightweight cotton might be a little too see-throughy…
What a thoughtful review! I will definitely try this pattern.
Thanks for the review. I have been thinking about getting this pattern for some time.
This review has inspired me to sew some cute summer skirts.
and where did you find this pattern – I’ m very interested in it. Thanks.
You have a great website. Keep up the good work.
Double WOW 2 your design!
I just made my first skirt with this pattern. . .it was soo easy! I agree with making it longer as it is knee length. I highly recommend this pattern to anyone. . .beginner or advanced!
Thank you for providing this site and guest book.
Whoa….check out this page…hmmm, and I thought this was only for the kids
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This is great, look forward to looking into every area. Thanks for being there.
Great stuff here guys, check this site out!
Congratulation, it was very interesting surfing around here, It was a great pleasure for me to visit and enjoy you site. Keep it running!
Thanks for the review!! Mine came in the mail and I can’t wait to try it!!!
Hi… I was so happy to find this review… I have been searching for a pattern to recreate this Hanna Andersson skirt (sold out but not in my budget anyway)… http://www.hannaandersson.com/style.asp?from=SC%7C22%7C4%7C32%7C53%7C8%7C%7C and I think this is the perfect pattern! I’ve just ordered it… thanks for all of your comments!
Thanks for a lovely site, I am very impressed
Thanks for a lovely site, I am very impressed