Wednesday 10 October 2012

Polka dot one seam skirt


I made this neat little skirt to fill a gap in my wardrobe - I needed a red skirt suitable for everyday wear. Yes, I know, I already have a red skirt, but it just feels a bit too dressy to wear during the day. This time round, I wanted something comfortable that would match lots of my handmade tops and look good with a cardigan. Enter Simplicity 3983 from 1952, otherwise known as the one seam skirt.


I first saw a version of the skirt on Kestrel Finds and Makes blog and had tracked down and bought the pattern before I'd even finished reading the blog post (please tell me I'm not the only one who does this…) 


I loved the simple shape, the pockets and how good it looked in cord. With this in mind, I splashed out on a metre of red polka dot cord from Dragonfly Fabrics. The polka dots are actually quite subtle, which means I can wear it with patterned tops without fear of an almighty clash.  In fact, it seems to go with absolutely everything. 


Who says gingham and polka dots don't belong together?!


One metre was plenty, especially as I shortened it by eight inches (!) and gave it a generous two inch hem. I added 1.5 inches to the waistband (the pattern is for a 28" waist) and didn't change the skirt section at all as there was already quite a lot of ease built in.  One of the benefits of copying being inspired by other people's makes is that you can pick up all their tips and apply them to yours. As well as the dramatic shortening, I also used a lighter weight fabric for the inside pockets (a neutral coloured quilting cotton from Misformake) as advised by Kerry, and made them deeper. 


I'm glad I did as they're still pretty small and I've got child-sized hands. I love the pockets, though there's something about them that makes me want to stick my thumbs out of them, Fonzy-style... 


I also added Petersham ribbon to the inside waistband as the pattern advises. 


I loved the process of making this skirt. Usually I'm in a mad rush to finish and there's inevitably a bit of swearing occurring along the way. This time, I just took it slowly and nothing seemed to phase me. Nothing. The skirt didn't feel great when worn with tights so I simply cut out and added a lining, no sweat. The zip didn't look completely perfect - no problem, I just carefully unpicked the whole thing and re-inserted it with more precision!!! I really don't know what came over me! Whatever it was though, I'm grateful, as this little skirt will be worn a lot, so I'm glad I took the trouble to make it as perfect as I could.

I leave you with a photo which just cracks me up. It's me posing with what I call my Beignet face. Just look at this post and you'll see what I mean. I really do try my best to pose naturally without smiling, but I just can't do it. The majority of the time, I look like I'm spoiling for a fight! Which is why 99% of my photos show me grinning like a loon - far less scary!  x

46 comments:

  1. lovely! that printed cord is fab. i love cord skirts. the pockets do look tiny which is odd given that on the pattern they look huge! would be really cosy with a polo neck and boots for winter.

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    1. I know, the pockets do look ginormous on the pattern don't they?! Very odd. I'm fully intending to wear this skirt with boots too - good suggestion! x

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  2. That looks amazing! The addition of the petersham makes it look so professional. I just love this make - it's so you!

    I'm confused by the name though - looks like a lot more than one seam to me!

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    1. Thanks Gail! Nope, there's just the one main seam, going up the back. The pockets and waistband don't count! x

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  3. 'You looking at me? You looking at ME?!' No, Jane, sorry, Jane, please don't hit me, Jane. Oh, you do make me laugh! Like, Handmade Jane would hit anybody. Absolutely love the skirt. That is a cracking pattern. And one metre - bargain. I love taking relatively simple projects ie an A-line skirt, and just making them to the best standard I can. Kudos to you!

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    1. Ha ha, you're right, that scenario would never ever happen, even a teddy bear could beat me in a fight! Yes, the fact that it only needs a metre is a big bonus - there's quite a bit left over too. x

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  4. What an absolutely gorgeous skirt. I've been too scared to sew with corduroy as yet...

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    1. Don't be, it's fine! The only thing I'd say is be prepared for the bits of pile that come off the corduroy and go absolutely EVERYWHERE! x

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  5. Great skirt, I can visualise this pattern in many more colours/fabrics, so I hope you make more.
    I can sympathise Re: posing for pictures. Personally I go for 'grinning like a loon' every time ;-)

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    1. Oh good, glad to hear it's not just me! Yes, I really want to make more versions of this pattern, the possibilities are endless! x

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  6. Yay! So pleased to see your lovely version of this pattern - and 'Jane-ified' with polka dots too. Glad my mods were helpful.
    I've also made yet another version of this skirt, also in red and yet to be blogged about. It's definitely my 'go to' skirt pattern.

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    1. Thanks Kerry, your mods were invaluable. I think this will become my 'go to' skirt pattern too, love it! x

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  7. You never look like a smiling loon.

    That fabric is to dies for! Even the lining for the pockets are ace. You've made a great go-to skirt.

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  8. Thanks Mela, the fabric really is lovely, very strokable! x

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  9. This is such a cute, everyday skirt. The fabric looks lovely and the details of the petersham ribbon and quilting cotton inside the pockets are such nice features. Well done!

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  10. What a lovely flattering skirt! I think you are right, it will go with practically everything. I am impressed by how nice the shape is, especially since it is only one seam. The funky but subtle pocket lining is a nice touch.

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  11. What a fab skirt, and I LOVE the fabric. :)

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  12. You are NOT the only one. I also tracked down a copy the same day I read Kestrel's post. I still haven't settled on a fabric for it, but maybe I'll use some corduroy too. I love the pocket details...unfortunately, it's things like that that make me want to show everyone the insides of my clothes.

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    1. Very, VERY pleased to hear this Amanda! And yes, I'm also guilty of flashing my pockets and facings at every opportunity! x

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  13. I love the skirt! The polka dots are so subtle, they just look like texture from far away :) The pockets and waistband look wonderful, and I'm impressed you took the time to redo things you weren't totally satisfied with... I know you'll be glad you did :)

    Also, totally hear ya on the photos... at least you look great with a smile!! I try to do the no-smile thing because when i smile i look like a dork, but then i end up looking bitchy instead; can't win :P

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  14. Lovely, as always Jane! I may have to hunt this pattern down, just to go with all my other patterns that I don't seem to have time to make!

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  15. Did I hear someone mention polka dots? I am green with envy.

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  16. Now that's interesting! When I made this skirt (twice) I too had to add extra inches to the waistband to get it to fit onto the main skirt. But my pockets are pretty huge: mine needed a button to stop them drooping open. Strange!
    Your version is fab! Red AND polka dots - woo hoo! :)

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  17. Very nice! I laughed when I read the paragraph about your face in pictures. I just cropped my head out of a bunch since I seem to look like a retard in most of mine.
    I'm in love with the tiny polka dots too!

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  18. Very gorgeous, very Handmade Jane! I seriously love your fabric choice and I've long admired the pattern myself. Oh and by the way, you always look lovely in your photos you crazy lady!

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  19. Oh! I love the simple lines of this skirt and the cute as a button fabric! Polka dotted cord. Who would have thought? And I say own the happy photos- when you make something this rad it would be wrong not be grinning from ear to ear!

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  20. Oooo i love it! It looks great on you, and polka dot cord, ace combination!

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  21. It's lovely! And warmer fabric for autumn, but still a nice bright colour!

    I'm a bit intrigued by the one seam thing, though! How do you get the hip:waist shaping? It doesn't look like a rectangle gathered into a waistband, so are their side darts or something like that?

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    1. No, it's not a rectangle, the pattern piece is slightly shaped inwards towards the waist, but the majority of the shaping is done by four darts, two on either side of the zip at the centre back.
      Thanks for your lovely comment too! xx

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  22. This is gorgeous, so subtle. Love your style!

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  23. Love those pockets! The petersham at the waistband is such a divine little detail - a gorgeous skirt :)

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  24. Love it, especially the pockets. I have tracked my size down on Etsy and purchased that pattern! I too enjoy copying other people!

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  25. Hey cooooool! Super fonzy success. It's very flattering Jane and I like the way you describe taking time to go back, unpick and make perfect. Really like all the details inside too as well as such cute fabric!! Perfect for this season. And had to laugh when you discussed your ' beignet' face !!!!

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  26. really lovely - and so you! I bet it will get a lot of wear. (and I'm off to explore Dragonfly fabrics now!).

    I always think you look lovely and happy in your photos. But I know the feeling - I either look depressed or slightly unhinged in my photos, which is why I look down or away from the camera in so many of them.

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  27. It's lovely. And so you! I really like your stripy petersham.

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  28. I need a red skirt now. I love how you've styled it with the black...stylish and wearable. Gorgeous.

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  29. Your skirt is super pretty! Love the color and the finishing details

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  30. Super duperly cute, Jane, and the skirt's pretty neat, too! x

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  31. Love it! So cute, and the red is so vibrant :)

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  32. Love this skirt. No wonder a customer has me looking for a copy of the pattern to sell to her! Great blog by the way!

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  33. This looks really nice on you! I've seen it on Kestrel's too. It's a definite winner - I may now start an online search for it :)

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  34. I love this skirt! It looks great on you.

    I figured I'd never find a copy of this pattern, which made me sad. Then what do you know? I wandered into a little antique store here in Central Texas last weekend, spied a box of very old patterns and LO! There it was -- and in my size! And for only ONE DOLLAR!

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  35. I LOVE it, especially in corduroy and with polka dots!! and red! it's so very you. I hope you get lots of wear out of it. Funny isn't it how some things are nice to make, it's always a bonus when the making process is fun, the main reason I don't sew as often as I should for myself is I get impatient and make mistakes which shout at me every time I look at the finished item. Bethx (thelinencat)

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