for all of my fussing and putz-ing with regular cotton clothing, the honest truth is when it comes to what I actually wear on a daily basis, it’s knits. they are just so…easy.
that is why I’m so thrilled about these three new additions to my wardrobe. three fold-over knit skirts! the plain black skirt up there, possibly the most boring thing to grace this here little blog, has been washed and worn at least once a week this summer. there is nothing more functional than that skirt. boring or not, I love that skirt like an old friend.
the pattern is from Meg McElwee’s Craftsy class, of which I am a huge fan. the sizing was a little funky but once I got that figured out, the whole thing came together pretty simply. there is not much stitching involved in a basic skirt especially one made of forgiving knit fabric.
the striped skirt is my attempt to replicate a skirt I saw on rare trip to J.Crew. it looked too easy to make myself; I couldn’t justify buying it. thankfully, it was relatively easy to make and I had just enough striped knit on hand already. I used the pattern in Meg’s book Sew Liberated…she is, after all, the master of sewing with knits. the pattern was a little odd, however. I don’t know everything there is to know about pattern drafting, but thanks to a class I took with Cal Patch I could tell this pattern was not standard. sure enough, the hem length at the sides of the skirt, where the seams meet, is longer than the front and back hem. it’s not a big deal and the skirt is still wonderful for everyday wear. it’s only a slight harumph. it’s a little perplexing since Meg’s Craftsy class is so exacting and careful and then the book pattern is kind of wonky? who knows why.
I was able to correct for this (and made a handful of other small tweaks) to make this third skirt. I ended up completely drafting my own pattern. a process that is really pretty simple, again thanks to everything I have learned from Cal and it helps that when you work with knit fabrics you don’t have to worry about seam allowances in the same way.
I guess looking at them now, in pictures, none of these skirts are all that fascinating or award-winning. the real test, however, for me is that I wear them all the time! they are comfortable and definitely kid-proof and, at the end of the day, that is a skirt that fits my life. maybe I need to make four more, one for every day of the week. like a mom uniform!
p.s. I might just be teaching how to make this skirt in an upcoming class. its not yet posted but you might want to watch for that. especially if you have an interest in learning some basic pattern drafting and like stretchy, comfy fabrics! (who doesn’t?)
Courtney says
I love these! I bought the sewing with knits class on craftsy, but haven’t watched it yet. This is great incentive to finally view it, thanks!
ahappystitch says
Watch it! You will fall in love with Meg. She’s awesome.
cal says
so CUTE! they do look super comfy and easy to wear, like t-shirts for the lower half of the body! i’ve been wanting to make a similar skirt from the Alabama Chanin books. you know, for the striped one, it’s probably best that the hem doesn’t curve up, because then the stripes get cut off and that can look weirder than the side seams curving down a bit. if meg’s pattern calls for striped knits, maybe that’s why she kept the bottom straight?
ahappystitch says
Hmm, good point. The pattern doesn’t call specifically for stripes but it was likely a design thing rather than an error. But, I had you in my head telling me that when two lines meet they should be 90 degree angles!! And, the top of the skirt and the bottom weren’t. Again, I’m sure Meg did it on purpose. It was a proud moment for me, though, to be able to troubleshoot getting it the way I wanted it! Thanks to you, lady.
cal says
well i’m proud to have played a part in your troubleshooting ;n)
ahappystitch says
🙂 Me too!