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Friday, September 12, 2014

Fabulous Free Pattern Friday

Happy Friday Everyone! As promised, here are the instructions for drafting the 
Sweeping Rectangles Skirt

As a review, you can take a look at the instructions I posted for the t-shirt version here.
The principle is exactly the same.

To make the skirt version, you will need,
1. Your hip measurement
2. Your desired length

I did not add ease to my skirt as I wanted a closer fit, but you can add ease to your hip measurement, a maximum of 2" should be fine.
Divide your hip measurement in half and draw a rectangle that is half your hip measurement in width and the length will be the desired length of your skirt. Remember to add a little extra to the length for your elastic waist.
Decide how long you would like the upper back rectangle of the skirt to be. Mine finishes just below my my bottom,
the measurement should be approximately 12". If you are shorter the measurement will be a little less and taller, a little more. But remember, the upper back rectangle can be any length you like. I am just giving you a guide. Draw out your upper back rectangle, the width is half of your hip measurement and the length you have just determined.
Now that you have the upper back rectangle determined, we need to draw in the angled lines on the front of the skirt. The angled line on the front will begin where the upper back rectangle ends.
 The final pattern for the front will look like this.
The 2 rectangles that form the bottom of the skirt are next. The width of the first rectangle is really your choice. Mine is 8" wide. The length will be the measurement from the hem of the angled front up to where the front meets the back, across the back and then down the other side.
For the width of the last rectangle, measure from the bottom of the first rectangle that was attached to the upper back rectangle and then measure down to the hem of the front of the skirt.
The length of this rectangle will be the measurement from one end of the first rectangle to the other end.
And that's all it takes!!
Since this skirt is made out of knit fabric, you can eliminated most of the fullness around the waist. Once the skirt is together, try it on and pinch out the fullness at the waist prior to sewing in the elastic.  This will give you a nice flat finish over your stomach and hips. Check out this post for a tutorial on pinching out the waist and adding the elastic.
I want to do this once more as a dress, so there will be one more addition to the Sweeping Rectangles chapter.
Good luck. Be sure to ask if you have any questions. The skirt is so easy to make. It literally took me an hour from start to finish. Not couture by any means, but lots of fun!
Enjoy!



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6 comments:

  1. I'm going to add this to my "to do" list. Looks like a fun sew. Thanks so much for sharing.

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    1. I hope you will give it a try Ginger, it's fun and fast!

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  2. Love this. The top is on my list as well.

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  3. I'm making this skirt. Love it even more in person.

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    1. Thanks Miss C :) Can't wait to see your version!

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