Author: All Sew Petite

This blog is about my love of sewing. I will try to document all my makes, any patterns adjustments or fitting issues...and there will be many as a petite person I can barely find anything that fits.

Sewing Erin Skirt, why did I wait so long???

Hi sewing friends!

Do you ever procrastinate from completing a certain project? If you do, how long does it take you? I had my eyes on making Erin skirt from Sew Over It eBook ” My capsule wardrobe. City break” for some time now….over a year if I’m honest! I had the fabric cut out in January, but only now took my time to sew it up! Don’t ask my why? Hell, I tell you anyway! But first let me introduce the pattern.

The pattern

Photo: Sew Over It

The Erin skirt pattern is a take on a classic denim skirt with a button front placket, deep pockets and waist darts at the back. It is shaped similar to a pencil skirt, so it is slightly close fitting.  It comes in two lengths: mini or below the knee, and it suppose to sit at your natural waist….anyway….back to my story!

The journey of making my Erin skirt started over a year ago, when I used a leftover of some brown stretch denim from my old project to make a toile. I am new to wearing skirts, which probably is the biggest factor here for delaying this make so long, but what made things even worst is how awful that toile ended up! I wanted to make a short version of the skirt and based on my waist and hip measurements I cut out a size 18 and graded it out to a size 20 at the waist, hence had to adjust pockets and waistband to ensure everything matched as it should. After sewing the skirt I had realized that it had way too much ease at the waist and I looked hideous in it, so as you do I put it away at the deepest end of my closet…but as you see the story didn’t end there. I reversed all pattern alternations and cut out a straight size 18, but this time made a midi length by extending the hem by 7 cm. I put aside fabric pieces and waited another 8 months to even consider completing the project…

IT was only because of #swapsharesew challenge that I consider giving this pattern a go one last time! You might know if you read the other post that Erin skirt was one of three patterns chosen by me to enter in a challenge. After my sewing friend @katiebrownless chose for me to make the Bonnie dress I decided to make the skirt anyway. The fabric was already cut out so it is not like I could use it for anything else, right?

Fabric choice

I knew the best option for this pattern and my comfort would be to get a type of a stretch denim fabric so I went and purchased 1 meter of Lady McElroy Indigo stretch Barkweave denim from Minerva Crafts for £10.99 a meter. I wanted to try a slightly better quality fabric and thought that would be a good choice. I washed the fabric right away to see if there will be any noticeable changes in color shade or any leaks, but I must say the material looks exactly the same after a wash. This is great, because in the past I was disappointed while working with cheap fabrics.

For my pocket linings I used some scrap of cotton fabric to reduce volume of a side seam. Plus it is always fun to add something to your garment that only you know is there.

Sewing

I sewn this skirt in one sitting and it only took 3 hours. I had to change thread on couple of occasions, because I was using a Gutermann top stitching tread on my pockets, placket and hem to see how my machine would handle it and if I like the look. I admit I really like it, and will most probably be using this thread in a future. The pattern instructions are simple to follow and the only difficult or scary bit would be as always…the buttonholes! I had to make 7 and it went like a dream. My machine does not disappoint me! Thank you Janome! I used some jean buttons, because I like the classic look and I bough bunch of them while making Cleo dungaree last year.

Final thoughts

This is a successful and happy make, that I am grateful for completing. It surprises me that I can pair it up with so many different tops and sweaters from my closet, which is an indicator of my slow development of personal style and growing me made wardrobe. Something I am extremely happy about! I can understand why so many people consider this skirt a staple in their closet and it is definitely an all season appropriate garment.

Do you wear skirts? If yes, what is your favorite pattern?

See you next time!

Monika xxx

Free PDF notebook cover pattern + sewing tutorial

Hi sewing friends, do you ever look for an easy and fun project to sew beyond making your own clothes? I certainly do !!! I like to expand my crafty skills and knowledge whenever possible. Lately it is by making my own PDF patterns, so it is no surprise that I am bringing to you my newest design!

Since beginning of this year I keep a sewing diary, where I write all my sewing makes so I have a quick reference in case I am unsure about something or I just want to see what I made so far. Using this journal everyday I started to notice some wear and tear on its outside cover and decided that I need to protect it somehow. This gave me an idea to design and try fun and colorful casing….and why not include some pockets….they are great not only on clothes! The pattern size is drafted so it loosely fits A5 notebook, but you can always scale it up or down if you need a different size.

     To complete this project you will need:

  • Notebook cover PDF pattern
  • 100 / 55 cm fabric of your choice
  • zipper – 23 cm
  • bias binding – 100 cm
  • fusible interfacing (optional)

Sewing tutorial

Cut out all the pattern pieces from your fabric, you can be creative here and use different fabric for outside panel or make your pockets in different colors…the choice is yours! I used the same fabric for all pieces except for one front notebook cover piece, because it is an internal/ lining panel, so it is the least visible.

Depending on the fabric of your choice and/or desired stability of the finished cover you may want to interface all or some of the pattern pieces. I recommend fusing at least both sleeves and 1 x front piece.

 

First, bind the top edges of short and tall pocket pieces, next place the short pocket on top of the tall pocket and stitch two straight lines as indicated on the pattern for a pen slots.

Place zip tabs at each end with right side facing the zipper and stitch it together.

Flip zip tabs and top stitch it in place. Trim the tabs to the width of the zipper.

Place the zipper at the straight edge of zip pocket (A) right sides together and sew it along the length about 4 mm away from zipper teeth. You may need to open and close the zipper as you sew to ensure a straight line. Flip the zipper and top stitch close to the stitch line. Repeat the same process for zip pocket (B).

Take the zipper pocket and place it on top of the sleeve piece with wrong sides together. repeat for the other side. Take tall-short pockets and place it on top of the sleeve with wrong sides together. Sew around the four edges within 1 cm seam allowance to hold it together.

 

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Using bias binding finish off the straight edges on both sleeve pieces.

Take one of the front cover pieces ( internal/ lining piece) and place both sleeve pockets on top ( right sides facing upward for all pattern pieces). Sew around the edges to hold it together within 1 cm seam allowance.

Next, with right sides together place the remaining front notebook cover piece and sew it together  with 1cm seam allowance leaving about 10 cm opening.

Finally, turn the notebook cover inside out and hand stitch to close the opening.

Final step. Enjoy your new notebook cover!

I hope this little project brings you joy and remember you can always customize it if you want. I plan to omit sewing pockets and make simple cover for my cooking book and scaling it down for my passport. There are so many other ways you can use this pattern….let me know what you think and if you ever made or are planning to make a similar project.

See you next time,

Monika xxx