Popsicle Skirt

I walked into my local Spotlight the other day and all their clearance fabric was down to $4/m, considering I just went in for 3m of bias binding and some scuba knit it was very dangerous.  Needless to say I walked out with about 7m of clearance fabric.  I really need to start curbing my fabric buying habits.  I think I need to start limiting it to notions and fabric to finish specific projects, like a contrast, lining, backing or binding fabric.

To start with I grabbed 1.5m of a cotton linen blend and got straight to work.  I love it when fabric and inspiration strike at the same time!  I knew I wanted to make a button up pleated skirt so a quick google provided me with this tutorial from Sew DIY.  I didn't really follow the tutorial that much but it was great to ensure I was on the right track.  When I mentioned to mum that I was planning on making a button from skirt her first words were "oh those are really hard, you've got to get all those buttons sitting flat."  Well I'm pleased to say I think I nailed it.  It's time like these I'm very grateful for a machine that has a sensor buttonhole feature.

I used french seams for the inside seams and cheated and just turned up the selvedge for the hem, I'm all for making sewing easier when you can!  I interfaced the button panels and the waistband with a medium weight interfacing.  It's also got a button and hook and eye closure on the waistband, while a zip would have been cheaper than the buttons (Seriously Spotlight $3.50 for 3 buttons?!?!?!), I love the more relaxed look that the buttons give.

My very technical way of ensuring my pleats were even was to measure them with a pin.  This resulted in there being no pleats for about 4 inches at the back, I do really think I prefer it this way, less volume in certain areas is always a good thing. 

Also Miss Maddy would be proud to know I wore this skirt to work today, I think more skirts have to make it into my work wardrobe rotation.  Something else I noticed today is that this pleated skirt was much more resistant to blowing up in the wind than a circle skirt. 

Anyway I'm working on a bra using a kit from Erin's store The Emerald Studio and I'm blown away with it.  Plenty of fabric, amazing quality, I can't wait to see this bra made up.