Simple Modern Sewing Pattern 5b

Today I made Pattern 5b "Skirt with Box Pleat" from Simple Modern Sewing by Shufu To Seikatsu Sha.

I had been looking for an A-line box pleat/inverted pleat skirt pattern and this seemed to fit the bill. It took about 4-5 hours or so over the day including tracing and cutting out, and much unnecessary unpicking due to sewing the wrong line for the pleat.

Notes:

• Seam allowances must be added (and its better if you add them accurately - saves fiddling later)
• I used a remnant ($1.50) of grey and black patterned fabric - soft but medium weight
• Follow the correct line for the pleat (place the back on the front and you'll know if you've got it correct - they will be the same width)
• Usually I add a centimetre or more through the hips/thighs on everything I sew - and I should have here too.
• When made to the instructions this is a below knee skirt
• I used an ordinary zipper not an invisible one and it is ok
• An easy to sew, comfortable skirt but the next one I make I will make it wider through the thigh so the pleat hangs better when I'm wearing it.

Can't decide whether Mary or I should model it... Mary has to model it - she is currently a bit slimmer than me!

Test wear of first project from Simple Modern Sewing

Ok, I wore the top today, all day. Here is what I noted:

• the sleeves sure stick out - whether because of me, the fabric or the pattern I don't know but I don't really like it
• the length covers the crotch and backside - no vlp to see - yipee
• stayed fastened all day
• very comfortable
• front view - good
• side view - makes me look fat and maybe pregnant (must change this urgently)
• has lots of design ease to allow for layering - perhaps if you know you are not a layering gal you can go down a size or expect to make adjustments eg. darts or extra pleat on back peplum and bodice

Simple Modern Sewing Book - project One

Cap sleeved wrap top

Notes so far:

• Small is the same as my normal size 10-12
• Peplum doesn't need much gathering at all to match the bodice
• Quilting fabric may make rather crisp cap sleeves (or have I sewn them wrong!)
• Internal ties (strap B) could be made of ribbon or some other readymade substitute



Inside out view of sleeve cap and binding



Sleeve right side out

Sewing peplum to bodice - notice how slightly the fabric is gathered.
If I make another one, I'll think about concentrating the gathers in
particular areas or putting in small pleats instead.