DIY A- Line skirt
I totally think the natural progression for a sewist/seamstress/sewer/etc.. is making your own patterns. OK, no, I’m not getting ready to drop a pattern line, but I think there’s some value in understanding fundamentally how patterns work so it’s easier to modify. Now, that’s just my thinking, I have an analytical mind and I think it terms of processes and more importantly building on knowledge. I’m not one of those people that can do something without ever being exposed to it unless it’s similar to what I’ve already done before hence my ridiculous pattern stash which at least half of is basics that I should know how to do by now (insert the first of many eye rolls).
I’ve hacked patterns before and I think they were successful; here, I hacked the ever so famous M6886, it was a basic hack because I just didn’t feel equipped to “design” something. I use that term very lightly, I’m talking about seeing something, be it inspiration in a photo or a dream and bringing it to reality, that’s what I believe is “design”. I’ve seen things and my mental block is, ohh, no, I don’t know where to start to make that. I want to change that, I want to try things, and learn how to work with patterns to truly make things different and for me but there’s a block. I’m not sure if I don’t trust the process, I don’t want to waste time and fabric or all of the above, what do you think?
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| Not a “V” but a “U” LOL. |
If you follow me, you know that I have no problem making a pattern how it’s drafted. Truthfully, I purchase the pattern for how it’s drafted (insert eye roll). Not every pattern I purchase I look at the bones with designs on something else, sometimes, the pattern is just what I’m looking for. I have a sweater coming up and it wasn’t intentional but it looks exactly like the pattern envelope. Now, I purchased the pattern and fabric at different times and when I found the perfect fabric, in the color I wanted I went looking for the design, it happened to be in a pattern I already owned, how weird? Maybe it was in my mind, nope, I have over 600 patterns, it’s no way I can remember them all, right? Or maybe they’re like my children and I know each one of their glorious names (see how weird I can be, LOL! What am I , an ant??) No really, what I’m trying to say is, that if I had the confidence maybe I would have drafted the cardigan I wanted, or maybe I would have spent the $1.99 and purchased it (insert shrug).
I do have a nagging feeling sometimes to get in there and make what I see in my head, but usually, nothing happens, I run to the comfort of commercial patterns. They are like a security blanket, don’t you think? I think they should be a tool in a sewer’s arsenal, not THE arsenal as you get further along. I don’t take failure well, but actually lately I see fails as learning experiences and not so much failure, see I’m maturing! I want to figure out how to truly modify a pattern but in my mind I must first know what measurements, slopes, depths are important. I’m not classically trained (can sewist be classically trained? or is that just for other artists?) (insert an additional eye roll) lol.. I crack myself up, any who, I didn’t get formally school house trained, so like in math, I’m sort of still at freshman algebra and still some rules are lost on me.
Sooo, I’ve tried something, it was simple, I know, nothing big, no party for this, but for me and my hundreds of patterns, instead of getting an A line skirt pattern, which I have at least three of, this was a good experience. I took the pencil skirt from here and made some adjustments. Aren’t you proud? (I’m beaming with pride), is it perfect, no, it’s too long and the waistband needs work, but I successfully brought something simple to fruition using a book and a basic pattern.
Here’s a tutorial for what I did, I can’t find my pictures ( insert triple eye roll) I also used my fit for real people book, they give illustrations Pg 139, I found a copy on Google.
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| Pretty on the inside |
I’m super excited about that and so should you, I mean why wouldn’t you be, what kind of friend are you? ( smile, but no, seriously!) You remember the original darted Ogden cami? No, here’s the original review and this is the original cami I’m wearing! Cute, right? This is a linen/cotton pre-cut (should I do a dance every time I use a pre*cut?) and I basically closed the darts in the front and back skirt pieces, moving them to the hem and constructed just like the original skirt. This skirt has a two inch hem, one inch folded up twice. I think I’ll adjust the pattern, taking an inch off the hem and then hemming 1.5 inches. Not hard at all!
Remember, progress over perfection…
11 Comments
Faunacoco
Hi I just st found your blog after ready your article from last September about your progress I was in love with that glam duster. Whoa! I too am tall at 5’ 10” and roughly your size. I’m just getting back to sewing clothing after doing so as a teen in HS and a long hiatus then taking up quilting 5 years ago. I just made a wrap skirt from a Japanese Sewing book.
Love your style! You are beautiful!! Your joy and enthusiasm are contagious.
Vanessa
Your skirt is beautiful! You did a good job with it! And I do want to learn some basic drafting skills because I think it will be beneficial to me in the long run.
MadebyLaQuana
It can’t hurt to learn, it may come in handy, right?
gMarie
You know – I heard FM is getting rid of the Pre*Cuts – what will you do?! This skirt is fabulous! I love the fabric, I love the fact that you did it yourself and I love how it looks with the original ogden. You go girl! g
MadebyLaQuana
What!! No pre cuts? Dramatically falls to the floor slowly 🙈🙈🙈😩😩😩
KS_Sews (Dressmakingbacles)
ALL THE PRECUTS!!!! 😀
Great job on your skirt! It fits really nicely and that fabric is so fun. And all hail the Ogden! I'm surprised I haven't made more of them! 🙂
I think with patterns/drafting/hacking it's just so individual. I honest to goodness have zero interest in drafting patterns. None. Because I know I don't want (have the patience) to go through the iterations of making sure everything is right. I'll just buy a pattern or trace a Burda, thankyouverymuch. I have very little interest in "turning this one pattern into a dozen things". There's not much fun in that for me. I like to try new-to-me patterns even though I see the value in building/having some TNTs.
I do think the simple changes to patterns –not fit adjustments–but changing necklines, changing sleeve lengths (e.g. short sleeves typically have a bit of a curve to the hem vs being straight across), changing (rotating) darts to gathers or pleats (or A-lines!) is an important skill for all sewers once you progress beyond that beginner/advanced beginner stage. You don't want to own several patterns that are essentially the same thing except for sleeve style or pockets or whatever.
That's how I was able to cull nearly 100 patterns…there were multiple iterations of the same thing in the stash with the most basic differences.
But then…buying new patterns is so fun! :-p
MadebyLaQuana
I agree, I love patterns, but, I’m sure I have 50 patterns (at least) that were drafted using the same identical block, with minimal changes. I still need the instructions for the fiddle bits.
Faye Lewis
Great job and very pretty print!
MadebyLaQuana
Thank you!
Ellen
Nice! The only things I've entirely self-drafted are some costumes for a school play, but it was really liberating to just dive in and start playing. For me, it helps to have a bit of fabric in my stash that I am willing to sacrifice, at least when it comes to serious pattern hacking. If the wearable muslin works out, great! If not, no biggie. Enjoy the process and keep the blog posts coming!
MadebyLaQuana
Wow, I have never made a costume! I don’t know why, I just haven’t, I think it calls for too much creativity! Lol