The 13th Birthday Outfit

The Skirt - Part One

The blouse is almost done - I got the buttons today and will stitch them on tonight.  The skirt now is being worked on in stages.  So far, I've got the back finished and am working on the front.  Since they are almost identical, I'll take you through the steps.

First, I've serged all the edges of the skirt center and side pieces and the pleat underlay, with the exception of the top of pleat extension - I'll finish those later.  This is the best way to make the inside of this skirt neat without being bulky.  Because this skirt has pleat underlays, this really was the best choice.  I've also marked the large dots on the pattern - where the stitching stops on the seam before the pleat.

The  next step is to stitch the center to the skirt side pieces.  With right sides together, the seam is sewn only to the dot (the lowest pin) and then pressed open.  From below the dot to the hem can be basted, if you want.

Now the pleat underlay is stitched in place.  Place the pleat underlay on the skirt, matching the top and side edges, right side down. 

Next, turn each side over separately and pin pleat underlay to the skirt piece. 

Now, stitch along pinned edges, pivoting at the corner and ending (or beginning, depending on which side you're sewing) at the large dot that was marked earlier.  Each side will need to be stitched separately.

To finish that last unserged pleat extension, I zigzag the pleat extension and pleat underlay together.  This finishes and helps to give the pleat a little more support at the same time. 

Now that the pleats are done, I can baste the side seams and check for fit.  After any corrections, I'll be able to add the zipper and finish the hem.  The last thing I'll do is make the decorative waist tabs and finish the waist edge.  Just a few more days of work and this outfit will be done!

Parting Shot:  White Lilies.  The white lilies are blooming now, and we have quite a few, so my daughter made a pretty little arrangement this afternoon.