Fabulous Free Pattern Friday

Once again, I have not completely lost my marbles!! I know what day it is, but I just have to post this skirt. If  a garment could have feelings, this one would most definitely feel like the unwanted child. I actually did something with this fabric last summer for a FFPF post. I liked the design, but not in this fabric, so it was put aside. A few weeks ago, I took the project out because I really like the fabric and I had a new idea. I finished the skirt and it has been sitting, waiting for me to post it for at least the last three weeks. So rather than leave it sitting for another week, I'm posting it today.

A few years ago I gave a presentation on working with border prints. I absolutely love border prints because there are so many things that can be done with them. Maybe I should repeat that presentation here on the blog. 

As you can see, the fabric is a border print. The skirt only has 1 seam and that is in the box pleat that is on the left side of the skirt. Below you can see the box pleat. 

On the right side is a dart which gives a smooth finish to that side.

To hold the skirt in place around the waist, I simply tore 2 strips of denim, stitched them and then stitched them in place. Their placement also helps to hold the box pleat in place.

 In the picture below you have a better view of the inside of the box pleat.

The skirt laying flat. Now you can see how the one side has been pinched in as a dart and gives shape while the other side is straight.

To develop this skirt, you will need your hip measurement and the length that you would like your skirt to be.   Add 22" to your hip measurement for the box pleat. As for the length measurement, add 3" for the waist of the skirt. So, as an example, if you hips are 40" wide, add 22" and this will be 62" that you will need for the width of your skirt. Add another 1/2" for the seam allowance. For the length, if you would like a 26" finished length, add 3". Now, I was super lazy and did not hem my skirt. The selvedge edge was so nice that I just left it as it was. But if you would like to hem your skirt, be sure to add to your length measurement for the hem allowance.
Once you have the piece cut, sew the 1 seam. Fold in the box pleats. Now try on the skirt and pinch in the right side do that it will form a long dart. Once you have sewn in the dart, fold down the 3" that were added for the waist and press. Unfold the the 3" fold and then match the edge of your fabric to the pressed fold line. Press and then fold over and stitch in place. This will give you a 1 1/2" finished edge at the top of your skirt. You can see my finished waist in the picture below.

Cut 2 ties out of whatever fabric or trim that you wish. Make sure that they are long enough to wrap around you waist and tie in a bow. Sew the ties to either side of the fold of the box pleat. As you can see, I did a little top stitching to my denim. I thought it would add a nice touch.

The skirt is finished.

This is a great way to use a border print, especially one that you would rather not do a lot of cutting into the design. 

I'm curious to see if anyone will recognize the denim and fabric combination in something else that I have posted this past month. There will be a small little prize if anyone can guess, just a little notion that I love to use. So guess away!!!! 

Enjoy your Saturday everyone!

Rhonda