{Finished Object} - Polka Dot Simplicity Skirt

Simplicity 2698 skirt pattern is gradually becoming a favorite of mine and I don't even normally like wearing skirts.

That front center seam just kills me.....

I have the fit down and this time I barely even looked at the construction instructions. Actually, I didn't look at the Simplicity instructions at all and only peeked at the Sewaholic Cresent Skirt instructions when it got time to attach the zipper to the waistband facing. I wrote down some notes on the instructions sheet the last time I made a skirt and it was such a time saver since I knew exactly what I was talking about (don't you love it when you can read your own notes months later??).

This was my first time making version E. I think I never made it before because the skirt front consists of two pieces with a seam down the center and I never wanted a center front seam. But since I dislike version J so much (too much of a tulip shape, not enough drape) and I was too lazy to make version I (ugh, those pleats are so cute, but take so long) I decided version E may be ok.

I no longer fear invisible zippers!

I had been contemplating buying the Sewaholic Hollyburn skirt pattern, but since I'm so averse to wearing skirts I didn't want to buy another skirt pattern and not like the outcome. The more I looked at version E of the Simplicity 2698 pattern, the more I realized it resembled the Holllyburn skirt, especially after reading Amanda's review of her black and white polka dot skirt.  It might seem like my skirt is a total copycat of Amanda's polka dot skirt, but I swear I had the fabric for several months and I had originally planned on making a skirt with it once I realized it was way too thin for a jacket (specifically the Sewaholic Robson Trench). I will admit that seeing her version definitely gave me the extra bump in motivation to finally de-stash and make a skirt. Besides, the piping on her skirt is absolutely adorable and definitely kicks my skirt to the curb.

I initially thought I could make this skirt in one day. My ability to severely underestimate sewing time pains me! This skirt took WAAAAAAAY longer than I had anticipated. First of all, I think it's nearly impossible to match center front and back seams of a polka dot print. I tried twice. I failed twice. I tried matching dots along the pocket and failed, again. After wasting so much damn time attempting to match dots at those seams, I didn't even bother trying to match dots at the side seams or waistband (yoke). I finally had to tell myself to just power through and not care because I was using some cheap cotton/poly blend fabric. I even machine sewed a straight stitch for the hem because at that point I DNGAF.

Oh, and since this fabric was very lightweight I needed a lining, which required a quick stop to my closest fabric shop, International Silks and Woolens, which is THE PERFECT place to go if you know exactly what you want, but you don't want to waste any time looking for it. They have at least a handful of people on the floor ready to help you. As soon as I walked in a lady came over asked me what I wanted. I told her I needed black lining, nothing too expensive. After selecting some black lining I asked her what interfacing she would recommend for a shirt collar and cuffs (I have a Negroni waiting on the sidelines to be made for my husband). She immediately showed me her preference and then off I went back home. I think I was back home in the amount of time it would have taken me to get to the nearest Joann's and oh you know how terrible customer service is there and good luck finding someone who knows what they're talking about.

I suppose suffering through sewing in a lining is better than wearing a slip all day.

Anyway, the skirt. I hate working with lining! Oh it's so terrible! And of course I didn't remember Gertie's post, about using tissue paper when cutting slippery fabric, until after I cut out my lining pieces and saw how wonky they all turned out! *CRY* I had only planned on attaching it to the waistband so really it didn't matter how well it actually matched the skirt pieces (not very well!).

Apparently my husband doesn't care for taking photos of me. "I have Jeopardy to watch!"

Overall I'm pretty happy with this skirt. The back is flat and the front has two small pleats. The hem is much wider so there is a bit of flounce to it. I really like full skirts in theory, but I'm always so self conscious wearing them. (I don't know why. no, I do know why. It's because I think they make me look even shorter.) But I really like this look; I swoon over every full skirted dress Roisin of 'But it Can't be from Dolly Clackett' makes. She definitely knows how to work that style and I need to get used to it because I much prefer a fuller knee-lengthed skirt over a mini, pencil, or maxi skirt.

I definitely want to make this version again with a couple tweaks: reduce the waistband (yoke) height by half, eliminate front pleats, and use a solid color or a print that is easier to use with a front center seam.

Skirt Details
Pattern: Simplicity 2698, version E
Fabric: Black and white polka dot cotton/poly blend from Fabric.com (I would not buy this fabric again; I knew I should have ordered a swatch first.)
Size: Straight 4, but shortened pattern by 4" and used a 2" hem
Notions: One 9-inch black invisible zipper (7-inches would have been fine)

And because you made it this far, here is a photo of my Bailey. He jumped in the closet.