The 13th Birthday Outfit

Skirt - Part Two

Once all the pleats were done, I basted the side seams of the skirt for a quick fitting on my daughter.  It was a little bit big, but easily fixed by taking out the excess at the side seams.  This skirt does have multiple seams, so the are choices as to where you take out the excess depending on your figure type - just don't topstitch those pleat seams until you're sure of the fit!

After the quick fitting, the next step was the zipper.  I used an invisible zipper instead of the lapped application in the instructions.  It was easier for me and looks neater.  With that done, I made up the decorative tabs.  They're cute and easy to make and add a nice touch to the skirt.

Once the tabs were basted in place, I needed to finish the waist edge.  The instructions have a grosgrain ribbon finish, but I find that grosgrain does not stretch and mold to a curved waist edge like petersham ribbon or bias binding.  I opted to use a piece of bias cut from the skirt fabric.  Before even sewing the bias to the skirt, I interfaced the top edge of the skirt to help keep it stable.  It has a slight curve, and it is better stabilize than to have it stretch out. 

I then cut a bias strip, 1 1/8" wide, pressed up 1/4" on one long edge and stitched the other long edge to the skirt, right sides together.  I then turned the bias to the inside, pressing carefully and following the curve of the waist edge.  This skirt does not have an extreme curve to the waist edge or else I would have preshaped the bias with stem before stitching.  After pinning, I topstitched the pressed edge of the bias strip in place.  Pretty easy and looks clean from the inside:

Hemming and button details are the last steps - I'll show you those later this week.

Oh, and I did get the buttons on the blouse, it looks better with the buttons:

Parting Shot:  Almost Ready.  We're almost ready for another two day trip to the mountains.  This is a trip my son has been looking forward to.  See you on Friday!