Wednesday, March 19, 2014

How to make a maxi skirt with pockets

So I finally started on my Integrity project today :D

I used this tutorial: Chevron and Lace: MAXI SKIRT TUTORIAL

It seems really weird when you first read it, but it works really well! I do have a couple pieces of advice, though:


-When cutting the diagonals she mentions (steps 3 and 4), it helps to use a piece of yarn to keep your line straight, like so:


-If you have fabric with chevron/stripes/etc, and you want them to line up on the two sides of the skirt, be super OCD about lining everything up before you cut things, before you pin things, before you sew things, etc. Mine worked out great, because we lined everything up ALL THE TIME.

-You could add a pocket if you like:



Sorry I didn't take more pictures of adding the pocket! You'll want to do this before sewing the two skirt panels together, but other than that you can do it whenever. Here's what we did:

-Trace around your hand on some newspaper, but don't do each individual finger. More like the size of a mitten. If you've got sweatpants with pockets, pull those out and look at the pocket shape. That's the shape I was going for. 

-Make sure to add a seam allowance, where you'll sew the pocket to the skirt (the part outlined in red). Be sure to have this portion wide enough so you can stick you hand in it:

-Now, cut out two pieces of fabric that are that shape. They should not be connected, like on a fold or anything. Two separate pieces. 

-Lay the pocket piece right sides together with the skirt pieces (they're still separate). Make sure everything lines up! Each pocket piece should be the same distance from the top edge of the skirt.

-Sew the pocket pieces onto the skirt pieces.

-Sew that side of the skirt together (in the tutorial above, this is step 6). Instead of a straight line, though, you'll want to make a detour around the pocket so you don't sew it shut. Do this seam before the other side of the skirt.
-Follow the rest of the steps as listed in the tutorial!

My finished skirt:

I super hope I can go to church on Sunday so I can wear it! :D

The whole thing took me about 5 hours, including a little lunch break. In making the waistband, though (step 5), I had to take it in a couple times before it fit the way I wanted it to. Plus, the material I used is super flowy and silky, so that made it more difficult to work with. I can't wait to make another skirt using the same tutorial! If I try out a different one, though, I'll be sure to let you guys know :)

<3 Marie-Rose

6 comments:

  1. Way to go, girl! Your maxi skirt turned out great, and the pockets? Genius. Add pockets to anything and you make it ten-times better! Thanks for the shout-out, too. Hopefully people see your skirt and get inspired to create something of their own. Being able to sew is definitely a useful and fulfilling skill to have.

    Sue//Chevron and Lace
    susanstange.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the comment and your awesome tutorial! :D

      <3 Marie-Rose

      Delete
  2. Cute cute!! and pockets are genius! I'll have to try it out!
    -Whit

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    Replies
    1. They're not quite as effective as I'd hoped, but if you attach them to the waistband, I think they'd be better :)

      <3 Marie-Rose

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<3 Marie-Rose