Quick and easy

After spending my stay/sewcation working mostly on Butterick 5602, I needed a quick and easy project to tackle next.  I decided to try Pamela's Pattern #109 the Magic Pencil Skirt.  I followed the directions to a T.

I had enough red double knit fabric to test sew and if necessary cut another skirt from what was left.  I took the three measurements as suggested in the instructions- high hip (tummy), hip, and fullest part of thighs from this you chose which size you should  make.  I actually measured out at the upper end of the xsmall size range.  (I love some of the independent patterns size measurements; I have not considered myself a xsmall or small in a long time.)

I decided however to go with the small size.  I am glad I did as the skirt would have been too snug otherwise.  Snug is not the look I was going for.  I basted the darts and side seams as suggested and then tested the elastic again following the instructions for this pattern.  I found I needed to add a little to the front of the waist line area and do the usual swayback back adjustment for the back.  I then traced the pattern piece again as the front and back is the same piece.  I adjusted this one for the front changes I needed and the original tracing was adjusted for the back for my fitting needs.

I then cut the remaining red double knit to make my second skirt.  I kept the front darts but as suggested in the instructions if you have hollow space or dimpling you may want to eliminate the darts.  Next time I will try that, for now this works okay for me.  The instructions have you attach the elastic, turn and then stitch just below the elastic.  Using Pamela's method for sizing the elastic and using a quality elastic you should have not the gather elastic casing look.  I decided at this point to not stitch it per the instructions but to stitch in the ditch at the side seams and at the darts.   You can see how that looks with this photo:

Here is another photo of the finished skirt.  It is not as orange red as it looks in the photos.  I tried adjusting the color temperature to try to get it closer to the red it is, but results are still lacking.

I used the blind hem stitch on my sewing machine to sew this skirt.  Now that the pattern fit is perfected for me, this skirt can be made easily within an hour.