Hi, I wanted to make a quick skirt so I decided to use the pattern I created for a skirt lining. I made the lining pattern in 2011 for my A-line block skirt from the Japanese sewing book Basic Black (affiliate link here). The skirt has three main pieces – the front, back and the narrow waistband is made from a strip of bias tape that’s 1 5/8″ wide (about 4 cm). There’s an invisible zipper on the side. I’m wearing a knit cloche hat I got at a Barney’s outlet several years ago.
Because the skirt is quite plain, I added an outside pocket as a design detail. I used this fun Echino fabric I got last year when I attended Craftcation. Years ago I saw a pockets attached to the waistband on a paid of pants worn by a woman walking down the street. Of course, I stopped her and asked to look at the pockets. She told me she got the pants in Thailand. I never forgot those pants.
Pockets at the side seams wouldn’t really work in an A-line skirt like this because as soon as you put something in the pocket, it would drag down the skirt or ruin the line of the skirt, especially in a drapey fabric like linen.
The side seam has moved forward a little bit in this photo but you can see that a pocket there likely wouldn’t look very good. I’m wearing the lace hat I made (blogged here), Vogue pattern V8891, a Patricia Underwood design.
I just used the measurements in the book Basic Black, to make the waistband. I used the same fabric of the skirt to make the waistband. I made the mistake of using this stretch interfacing for the waistband. Fabric cut on the bias stretches so the waistband may get a little stretched out.
Before I attached the waistband, I basted the pocket in place. (I’ll write a separate post about making the pocket.) Then I sewed the waistband in place, folded it in half and stitched in the ditch. Here’s a close-up of the waistband…
… and the invisible zipper at the side seam. I wasn’t so great at keeping the waistband the same width all the way around. But I didn’t want to rip it out. No one’s really going to see the waistband anyway. (Excuse the dark photos.)
I finished the hem with premade bias tape using a straight stitch. I ran out of blue so I just attached red to finish it.
And here are a few more views of the skirt.
I think I like the lace hat with this skirt better than the cloche. What do you think?
The top is RTW from Ann Taylor several years ago. My necklace was a birthday gift from one of my sisters.
Materials for A-line Skirt
- 2 yards of linen from my stash (can’t recall what I paid for it)
- 10″ x 11 ” piece of Echino fabric for the pocket (about $20/yard, I bought 1/2 yard)
- bias tape in my stash to finish hem
- Guttmacher thread
- 70/10 Schmetz needle
Love the skirt and the hat.. I have the hat pattern must try it soon.. I am in Los Angeles this weekend for a sewing conf so wish I could have come to the meetup in the a Google Garage… keep up the good work
Thank you! Yes, you should try the hat pattern! Hopefully I’ll see you at a future meetup!
Yes, I like the lace hat with this outfit. The pocket on the outside is a great idea and works well with your whole look.
Thank you! I want to try this pocket on a skirt with a wider waistband and a skirt with a heavier fabric. Then I can put my phone in the pocket without dragging down the waistband.