SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 2-#5:Silver skirt

The official SWAP sewing period starts tomorrow, everything up til now has been me taking advantage of ‘two items to be sewn between rules publication and start date’ and ‘one previously sewn item’.  Toiles, fitting and general prep allowed for any items.

The skirt was toiled and fitted perfectly, so It’s already cut out, using the toile fabric as underlining.  I’ve got the pieces hanging to allow for any drop along the bias on the semi-circular back piece.

I spent a lot of time thinking out the best way to tackle the pleated flounce, and wondering whether or not to underline it, and how to neaten and trim it.

I pieced all the underlining and main fabric pieces together- the strips are 9″ wide, 14.5m of each.

Then I sewed them together, right sides facing, to make a neat hem edge.  I couldn’t believe how long it took to sew that one long seam.  Of course, I got to the end and realised that the tension had gone doolally and I had to re-stitch it and pull out all the previous thread.

I pressed it out flat, then tortured myself further by understitching, before turning to the right side.  Then I straightened it all out, measured a nice regular 8″ width and overlocked the remaining raw edge.  More pressing.  All of this took AGES.

Then the pleating, using my fabulous pleating board.

Another slow job, but not toooo bad.  Once it had all cooled, I sat and pondered about trim, and how to attach the flounce.  The main consideration was to do with that overlocked top edge:  leave it exposed, or cover it?  One row of trim or 2?  Where to place them?

thinking about trim

I consulted my wife, currently lounging, well-stuffed with Christmas dinner, and watching Downton Abbey.  She pronounced her verdict- one row of trim, covering the stitching.  Her word is law.  So then I got to sit and baste the trim in place, which of course also holds all the pleats tidily.

And here it is, looking rather gorgeous.  The rest of the skirt should be an absolute breeze now all the grunt work is done!  I’m on the starting blocks, ready for the off.