Pamela's Magic Pencil Skirt!

We've seen a lot of simple skirt patterns over the years, but I think Pamela's Magic Pencil Skirt has to be one of the easiest skirts to fit and assemble. It features a figure hugging shape with either a high waist version or a natural waist version.

There is one (yes I said one) pattern piece to cut out - the back and front of the skirt are exactly the same. There are darts in both the front and the back - the magic starts with the fitting.

The waist has Pamela's Fantastic Elastic, which is cut one inch smaller in length than your waist measurement. Since we are making our skirt version that fits at the natural waist, Pamela recommends cutting the elastic down to a 1" width. Most elastic can only be cut lengthwise, but Pamela's Fantastic Elastic can actually be cut width-wise too!

We chose a lightweight 60" wide ponte knit for our pencil skirt. A black slim skirt such as Pamela's is a great addition to any wardrobe because it is so versatile - boots, tights, fancy blouses or sweaters - whatever you pair it with, the results always yield a sleek and trim silhouette, regardless of your size.

In preparation for the fitting, sew the front and back darts (all four of them!) and the two side seams. Also sew the ends of the pre-measured waist elastic together to form a ring.

To fit the skirt, try it on right side out, with the elastic on top of the skirt at the natural waist.

1.) ADJUST THE DARTS:

If the skirt pulls at the abdomen, you may need to release the front darts. If you have a flat derriere, you may need to release the back darts.

2.) ADJUST THE DRAPE OF THE SKIRT:

Since no one really has a straight back, you may need to raise the back of the skirt to accomodate a waist tilt and eliminate a baggy look at our seat. Trim the excess fabric from the back and mark it. (Remember that the front and back look exactly alike and you'll want to remember which one is the back!)

3.) STITCH IN THE FANTASTIC ELASTIC AND HEM THE SKIRT.

Voila!! A magic pencil skirt!

Pamela claims that once you made your initial skirt, it should only take you an hour to make the pencil skirt. Sounds like a challenge, huh? And why not up the ante a little by doing a "recycle" project?  We had started a long pencil skirt (different pattern) in a heavy weight reversible poly ponte print, and after trying it on we scrapped it.  Let's just say the pattern would look great on someone like our Natalie here at the store - you know, that pencil thin body that everything looks great on - but it was not kind to my hips.  Both Laurel, Lauren, and I said in unison..."NO, take it off. That's a definite NO."

But Laurel says "be thou NOT a waster of good fabric." She ripped it apart as it appeared to be big enough to remake into the Pamela Pencil skirt.

This previous long skirt just did not work for me at all.  Let's see what Laurel cooks up!

What is so beautiful about this heavy knit is that the "wrong side" is just as beautiful as the plaid side. In truth, I can get a lot more wear out of a solid gray knit skirt, so we decided to go for it.

Laurel did run into a snag (literally!) sewing on this fabric. It's very heavy and firm, so her first machine kept skipping stitches.  Even after changing needles and thread tension, it didn't seem to work very well. Laurel is blessed with two machines, so she just switched and was able to correct the stitching.  But we know not everyone has that luxury, so do you have any ideas on how she could have adjusted her first machine? Let us hear them!

We had to put a seam up the back (we're recycling, remember) and leave the small slit up the back. Even with the thread issues and changes, start to finish: ONE HOUR!!!  Amazing!

This is really a great skirt for everyday or special occasion. We love this skirt so much we are even offering a class on making it! Come get inspired with our instructor, Terry McClintock and make one of your own! Here are the dates: 

(607A) Feb 29, Mon 10:30 - 2:30 pm

(607B) Mar 31, Thurs 10:30 - 2:30 pm

(607C) May 7, Sat 1:30 - 5:30 pm

We are off to such an exciting start at Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics. Our independent pattern lines are doing great and we are having so much fun watching our customers try them with great success. Indie patterns and our fabric - a match made in fabric heaven.

Hope that you can take the time to visit us in Berkeley this year! Also take a look at the many fabrics, notions and all our patterns up in our webstore for your convenience.

Thanks again for being a part of this caring and creative community,

Suzan

FabricLady

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Summer Tees....

With warmer weather just around the corner, we're already starting to revamp our closets and drawers to move out the sweaters and jackets to make room for easy breezy summer garments. And nothing says summer like a summer tee shirt. They are a warm weather staple - easy to care for, cool to wear, and best of all, easy to make.

SHAPES	TILLY & THE BUTTONS	GRAINLINE STUDIO	BURDA	NEW LOOK

When we get new designs in from our independent pattern designers, we always try out the tee-shirt patterns. Shapes' Four Good Measure top is a loosely fitting tee that we made out of several knits last year, including a digital print from France.

Tilly and the Buttons' Coco tee is a snap to make.  Laurel made the longer version in a rayon print.

 

Pamela's Patterns has "The Perfect T-Shirt." We have used this pattern several times, using various knits.

And we loved Burda's easy t-shirt pattern, #7645. (We also made the tank!)

This month, Grainline Studio's Scout Tee caught our eye. It's not very often that you find a tee pattern that is designed specifically for woven fabrics, so we thought we'd give it a try.

We chose a soft lightweight cotton lawn.  The pattern has a lower back hemline than the front, short cap sleeves and works up in a jiffy. It's the perfect little tee for the beginning sewist.  In fact, we're even teaching a class specifically on this pattern in August and October!

You could wear it out, tucked in, or belted! 

Summer perfection!!

Laurel made her Scout tee out of one of our lightweight Ikats.
Now that will look cute with jeans or shorts!

She also gave the neckline a little extra detail by just letting some of the bias facing show and then stitching it down in the ditch.

Think about making this pattern up in a pretty silk...wouldn't that be great paired with some jeans for a "casual elegance" look at a Summer music festival? I'd love to see it made up in a soft Rayon challis too.  Even a lightweight linen?

I love this Scout Tee so much, Laurel is making me two more cotton tops for this summer!!!

 

Last but not least, I love my new favorite flowing top, New Look 6268!!!

Sew many choices!

Cheers to a summer full of sewing up essentials that will last season after season!

Happy Sewing,
Suzan