I’ve not made anything from Paprika Patterns, so this is completely new to me. I really couldn’t wait to make this up. Those pleats on the front were just calling me and saying make me, make me! How could I resist such a call from a pattern 😉
The pleats are actually really easy to make up. The fabric I chose was a sturdy double knit and the pleats were easy to make up. I watched the free video on the website and just went for it. Each pleat is the same depth, I think it was 1.5″, so out came the tape measure and I checked the pleats that way. As long as you remember to pleat from the bottom, you shouldn’t have any problems at all. The pattern suggests using different coloured pins to identify each pleat. If you have pins with coloured heads, I recommend this.
The pleats are held in place by a zig-zag stitch along the length of the pleat on the underside attaching it to the lining at the same time. So you end up with a criss-cross of zig-zag lines on the back of the lining.
From here I diverted from the instructions. I didn’t want to line the whole skirt, so just lined the front. I attached the back piece down the side seams, just about to the hem, then hemmed the back by hand then finished sewing the rest of the side seam. It made the side seam finish nicer.
At this point, as the pattern suggests, I tried the skirt on. Mm, I’m not sure what had happened. It was too tight around the bum and the waist enormous! So I let out the hips as much as I possibly could and also took in the waist by about an inch. This meant that the waistband was drafted incorrectly. It’s quite curved and the curve is meant to be on the side seam and having taken in the side seam… The problem here is that if you follow the instructions, you would have already applied the interfacing to the end of the waistband for the zip. I had to cut off my interfaced section as the waistband was now too long.
I decided to go for the exposed zip option. One side of this took three goes. I had the correct length zip, but when I attached it to the skirt there was a big gap at the top, I’d cut the correct length in the back piece, so I had to attach a hook and eye at the top of the waistband. The zip is also attached differently to other exposed zips I’ve sewn. It’s actually attached with right sides together like a seam and folded over. When I’ve sewn these before they’ve just been attached on the top. I personally think it would look better just attached on the outside.
I have worn this skirt a couple of times, but it’s not working currently, it just keeps falling down! I have to keep hitching it up. The pattern does have an option to add elastic in the waistband. I recommend this completely. I attached my waistband down by hand, instead of stitching in the ditch. I think I will unpick my hand sewing and attach knit elastic to the waistband to see if I can get the skirt to stay up better. It is meant to sit just below the waist, but this just doesn’t sit properly at all!
First worn: This last week some point!
Love the skirt esp the pleats! Tempted to try this one!! 🙂
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Do do try it, it’s a great skirt, I just need to make some changes to make it fit me better! 🙂
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I love Paprika Patterns and the Jade is coming soon on my list. Yours looks great and the color is awesome.
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Thanks. I still love the skirt it just needs some changes to fit me properly!
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Thanks. I was really happy when I saw that fabric in the shop. It just spoke to me!
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Good perseverance! The skirt is very flattering on you, I love the pleats they look so fun and your exposed zip is really nice on this pattern 🙂
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The pleats are great. I realised yesterday that the zip is needed for the curved waistband. If I make another ill straighten out the waistband too.
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Hi, Nikki! Great skirt, and I really admire your sticking with it. Am afraid I’d have been sorely tempted to toss into the nearest bin. It does look wonderful, though! (And thanks for braving the wind & rain!) del
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Mm I loved the fabric and I hate failing. Combined together it had to work!
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