Burda Style For people who sew

Hey Sewers,
I am planning on making some skirts. I’m looking for any advice that you have. I want to make some knee length skirts that I can wear to school, I don’t want them to be too dressy but I’m not the type of girl to wear just a plain A-line skirt.

So if you have any tips on how to make a skirt look a little more fasionable I would GREATLY appreciate it. I know that so many of you have wonderful ideas.
Thanks in advance and keep up the great work!!

Nov 9, 2009, 10.59 PM by tallykay

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5 Posts

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  Nov 18, 2009, 01.24 PMby katensew

  Buttons seem to be popular this Fall – either decorative or functional – so perhaps you could use them to affect — a sort of trench coat look ? Box pleats or godets in the same fabric or contrasting can be added to a straight skirt pattern. Different hemlines like – handkerchief hems or with ruffles down the front and round the hem. Look up catalogues for buying BUT just get ideas.

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    Nov 19, 2009, 09.52 PMby tallykay

    Thanks that is really good advice. I really like the different hemline idea. Do you think i could to that with thin corduroy?

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  Nov 19, 2009, 11.55 PMby oscarthegrouch108

  when i do a skirt, i usually take a rectangle that’s 1.5 timed to 2 times my hip measurement by how ever long i want the skirt (plus a hem), and a simple yoke (and lining for the yoke). sew one side seam on the yoke, gather/pleat the rectangle to the yoke, put a zipper in the other side seam, and hem. i find that using the yoke helps the skirt fit me better.

  you can do the same thing, minus the yoke, by using elastic. these usually fit well with a top that goes over the skirt (hides the elastic and somewhat smooths the fullness).

  also there’s some simple skirt patterns out there. check the “its sew easy” part of the simplicity pattern books, or anything that’s marked “easy” generally is quick and easy to whip up.

  good luck!

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    Nov 21, 2009, 03.16 PMby tallykay

    I think i will try making a yoke skirt the way you do it. I have been planning on making a yoke because i really like how they look.
    Thank you

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    Nov 22, 2009, 01.47 AMby oscarthegrouch108

    let me know how they turn out!

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  Nov 20, 2009, 05.27 PMby katensew

  The use of corduroy can be pretty effective on asymmetrical hems or to use as large " ruffles ". Also reading above I too used to make simple skirts for work by having a rectangle and making unpressed pleats ( as opposed to gathers ) that came towards each other at the centre front and centre back, and having just one seam at the back into a waistband. Ideal for checks as you keep the design even and take up the hem along a check ( does that make sense ? ).

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    Nov 21, 2009, 03.19 PMby tallykay

    oh yes that does make sense. I have a hard time finding fabric that I don’t mind wearing but isn’t too thin for winter. That is why i bought corduroy.

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  Nov 21, 2009, 04.15 PMby katensew

  The range of fabrics with polyester added ( or on it’s own ) is now vast- and yesterday I purchased a skirt length in what I take to be Polyester suiting ( they don’t often print the content on the fabric nowadays ) and it will make an ideal winter skirt ( with lining ) and of course resists creasing and washes well. Even plaids and checks are available. I assume that you realise the " nap " on corduroy ??

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    Nov 23, 2009, 02.24 AMby tallykay

    Yes i do understand it. My mom has her own sewing business so she understands everything. She does curtains and so on, but not so much clothes.

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  Nov 23, 2009, 02.21 AMby tallykay

  Oops sorry… I just marked one of your comments as innappropriate… I didn’t mean to. What i meant to do is reply. I wanted to say that i would let you know how it goes the only problem is, that i’m really busy with High school that i might not get to it soon. Sorry about that