It finally feels like spring in Indy and was warm enough for me to wear me new dirndl skirt this week. I love how it turned out and got a number of complements on it, but wow was it a journey to get to the finished product!
You may remember I had this Simplicity circle skirt on my 2018 make nine list. I love this pattern, but remembered I already owned the dirndl skirt pattern below, so while I was at JoAnn looking at remnant fabric I referenced the Simplicity pattern and came home with a gorgeous light weight chambray, an invisible zipper, and some light weight interfacing.
Once I got home I traced the original pattern pieces, in my size, onto the interfacing and cut out the pieces. This was the first time I transferred a pattern from the original and although I didn't care much for the extra step it was really nice to be working with a pattern that was cut in my size (I rarely cut my tissue patterns down to my size) and the interfacing allowed for a more realistic fitting.
After I got the pattern pieces all cut out and partially assembled I realized that the pattern I read at the store was for a woven, but the pattern I had at home was for a knit! I mean, the brand is
Stretch & Sew for heaven's sake! The instructions I was working from called for an elastic waistband and I had a zipper in-hand. Thankfully I was familiar enough with invisible zippers that I was able to insert a side zip with only a little extra effort.
I am really happy with the final product, although I'm not sold on the midi length and will absolutely use a knit with this pattern next time! The chambray I used is adorable, but wrinkles easily was difficult to pattern match. Now I need a drink!
Time estimate: 2-4 hours
Size: 36
Material used: chambray, 100% modal rayon
Care instructions: hand wash cold, no bleach, line dry, cool iron inside
Cost to make skirt:
pattern - thrifted, approximately $1.00
fabric - remnant, $5.00
zipper - BOGO sale, free
*thread, hook and eye from my stash
TOTAL: $6.00 plus tax
