Stellar Staples

As I get emboldened by these fashion-sewing successes, I've gravitated more and more towards simple basics that make a wardrobe strong and versatile.  One such lovely type of garment, is a pencil skirt.   

To start, I folded over this piece of jersey fabric and cut two pieces that looked like this nice robust pot shape when folded over.  

I left the bottom connected on both pieces, so when unfolded it looks like this.  I did this so that the bottom of the skirt would more easily stretch and be forgiving of my strange activities like walking or generally moving while wearing the skirt.  I know it sounds crazy, but I loathe a skirt that feels like a straight-jacket for my legs.

The other nice thing about cutting out the fabric like this is that when I fold one half of it over the other half, all of the seams are hidden away inside the fold, rather than being exposed on the inside of the skirt.  

Here is the lovely hem of the skirt that allows for movement. 

For the waistband of the skirt I applied the same sort of principle- two long pieces that are sewn together and then folded in half to conceal the side seams and to allow for strange things like breathing.  

I sewed the waistband to the skirt in such a way that the seam was present on the inside of the skirt, but everything else was concealed.  It was exciting that it turned out so well on the first try and it will be nice to have a bit more colour in my professional wardrobe.  I tend to gravitate towards executive goth.  

This skirt was pretty straight-forward in design and only took an hour to make, so if you're in need of a good basic- this might just be your friend.

Stay sweet, stay crafty, and stay tuned.