Finished: Vintage One Seam Skirt


Earlier in the month I posted about my sewing plans for the next couple of months. This is the first item from my plan...

Pattern Used


Simplicity 3983, a skirt pattern from 1952. I made view 1, which has shaped pocket edges.
 
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I was initially attracted by the pocket detail but what is brilliant about this pattern is that it has ONLY ONE SEAM, at the back, and doesn’t use much fabric. I made this out of a metre (though it is shorter than the original length). I love that it is quick to make and doesn’t require much finishing inside too. I made this from start to finish over the course of a day, including a trip into town to buy a zip.
 
Fabric & Notions
Seagreen needlecord and two stash buttons. There was supposed to be Petersham ribbon inside the waistband but the waistband piece wasn't wide enough and I couldn’t be bother to cut another one.

 
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made
I made it shorter, which was a novelty since I normally have to lengthen everything. I took 4 inches off the length when cutting out the pieces then removed an additional 3 inches and still had a generous hem allowance. I wanted this to be knee length as I mostly wear flat shoes so this is much more flattering.
 
I also used a lighter fabric for the inside of the pockets as I was concerned that using too much cord would be a bit bulky – this was a helpful suggestion of a commenter, Mumasu – thank you! I used a flat felled seam for the back seam and did a bias tape hem, so it looks neat inside. The pattern was also a 30” waist and I’m 28” but it was easy to cut a little smaller by hanging the main pattern piece over the edge of the fold by 1/4” and cutting in by 1/4” at the other side – I love when grading is easy.
 
Would you sew it again and do anything different next time?
I am definitely going to make a few of these – it’s going to be my new ‘go to’ skirt pattern, and I’ve already been thinking about possible changes I would make, such as using piping to emphasise the pocket edges and using different fabric for the yokes of the pockets. Two changes I will definitely be making are to make the pockets deeper and cut the waistband wider as I found that it was not wide enough to house a 1” wide Petersham ribbon inside which, according to the instructions, it should be.
 

Did you use any new techniques?
I put in a central zipper properly, for the first time ever so am bloody chuffed with myself. I’ve been using a lot of invisible zips recently because I’ve cracked those, but I feel that this is particular zip is a thing of beauty.
 
Would you recommend it to others?
Yes without question. Lose the length though if you want a more modern look.
 
Cost
About £14 including the pattern, but I will definitely be using that again.
 
Conclusion
The only thing that makes me a little sad about this project is the big line down the centre of the skirt. This was the central crease in the fabric when it was on the blot that I just could not get rid of at all, no matter how I ironed it. Any tips? It looks a bit like it’s supposed to be part of the style of the skirt, which is ok, but I’m not overjoyed with the stupid fabric. I’m sure that an un-removable crease counts as a fabric flaw. I love the colour though and am pleased with how the buttons look on it too.
 
Have I convinced you how much I love this skirt? Well, I really do, and this definitely won't be the last you see of this pattern.

K x

34 comments:

  1. Love the color, the buttons, and the peak of cute pocket fabric! And the crease down the middle looks like something you did on purpose-go with that!

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  2. I am not surprised you love it ! Its gorgeous !! I love the colour, and the shape is just divine. I cant wait to see some more versions made up (its fabulous to have a skirt pattern you love and fits well - the possibilities are endless). I totally get the 'zipper love' too :-) xx

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  3. The shape and colour look stunning on you ! Love it.

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  4. So cute! I love the green and those pockets are perfect! Nice work. :) I think I need a cord. skirt in my life, now.

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  5. What an excellent little skirt, the colour and style are so cool! How annoying about the fold, though it just looks like a harmless seam from here ;o)

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  6. I LOVE the color you used, and it turned out beautifully! I'm looking to all of your versions of this pattern :)

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  7. Now that really is a lovely skirt, I like it so much I've just hunted down and bought the pattern! X

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    1. Ooh, look forward to seeing your version!

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  8. The skirt looks great. The pocket details take it one step above being just a boring skirt. It seams like the crease at the CF (from the bolt) is just something you have to live with. I've had the same problem but have yet to find a solution.

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  9. Very cute! That colour is fabulous. :-)

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  10. I adore this! Both the style and the fact that it's such simple construction. The fold down the front looks like a seam inthe photo and before I read your post, I thought it was a Colette Ginger. It's probably too late now it's fully constructed, but you could sew a super tiny pintuck on the inside, following the line of the fold, and tapering to nothing just before it hits the waistband. So from the outside it would look like a seam that was meant to be there. Just a thought.
    Right, off to hunt that pattern down....
    Px

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    1. Thanks for the tip Miss P - very clever,

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  11. This is super, super cute :) I'm so glad you shortened it! Your legs look stunning with it, haha. And love it with the stripes on top. :)

    And I gave you a blogger award, check it out on my blog (well you can choose between two, lol. but you might already have them both!)

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  12. This is just darling! I admit that I was not interested in this pattern at all when you originally posted it, but after seeing your version, I am pretty much smitten with the idea of having a similar skirt. Great job!

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  13. This skirt is gorgeous! I love the favric colour. I actually have this pattern in my stash because someone gave it to me and I hadn't really thought of making it up - now I've seen yours it might be moved up the pile slightly! I definitely agree that shortening it to knee length makes it much more wearable.

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  14. Fabulous. I LOVE the button pockets. Love, love, love! Damn right you should make several more of these.

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  15. Gorgeous skirt! I must admit that I'm sorely tempted to hit Etsy so that I can make one of my own! Love the colour and the fit is very flattering. It's a shame about the flaw in the fabric - it looks like a design feature, but I would be pretty miffed on princple!

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  16. Beautiful skirt - it suits you perfectly!

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  17. It looks so modern!
    When I used this patten, I backed the waistband with ribbon rather than putting it inside a sandwich of fabric - so you just turn under a seam allowance of the main fabric band and stitch the ribbon to cover over the raw edges. Any excuse to use fancy ribbon!
    You could always topstitch over the fold line so it looks like a design feature?

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    1. That's a clever idea, and a nice way to add something pretty to the inside

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  18. One seam! Madness, in a good way :)

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  19. Oh my goodness, this skirt is gorgeous!! I love the shape, the pockets, the back darts and the colour. Happy wearing!! :)

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  20. Kerry this REALLY suits you. I think it is my fave out of the skirts that you have made. It fits beautifully & I adore the colours & red buttons. I had that issue with a central line of fading, luckily for me it falls in the back of my skirt, but I thought it would iron out. I don't know what to suggest. As Roo says making it into a feature is the way to take your power back over it!!

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  21. Love the style and colour!
    Is that pesky line a fade or a dent? If it's a dent, you could try the carpet trick 0f putting an ice-cube on it and see if it "fluffs" it up?

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  22. Very cute skirt! Those pockets are the best. Please make one with piping - that would be so adorable on you.

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  23. I love this! It's so cute! And only one seam?!?! Perfect!

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  24. I can't say anything clever about its construction, but it does look great - really suits you (good model pose too!)

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  25. What a great skirt! Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? As soon as I read this blog post I started hunting for this pattern in my size. Found. Unfortunately – it’s missing one piece, the waistband. But, based on your review I’m thinking that’s probably not too big of a deal;-) I can draft something up. I hope mine turns out as successfully as yours.

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    1. Yep, you should be able to draft one pretty easily. Look forward to seeing your version - I tried to look at your Blogger profile btw but it was hidden so if you do have a blog I can't check it out.

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    2. Thanks...I don't have a blog, my blogger profile is some sort of oddity that Google gives me for free I guess? I can't imagine that I'll get to this very soon...but when I do I'll probably put a picture on my flickr (I'm aberka). I'll try to remember to post back here with a link for you. Thanks for the encouragement.

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  26. This might be too late to be helpful but getting the crease out should be fairly easy. The trick is to wet a piece of brown paper bag with white vinegar and iron with steam. You'll probably want to work from the wrong side since your fabric is textured.

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  27. Great skirt, great colour. Pleased to have found your blog!

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  28. £14 for a skirt - wow. I wonder what this would cost in a high street shop?
    Dave

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Thanks for reading and commenting - I love to hear what you have to say