Cam of Curlypops started a “Make it in May” skirt sewalong.

So I made a skirt! And as it turns out, it appears that I channeled both Carmel and Cam with the design of my skirt.

The pattern is Nicole Mallalieu‘s/You Sew, Girl!’s A-line Skirt Pattern. I made the shorter length, and added pockets from Vintage (1975) Simplicity 6778.

Because my shape is rather thick-waisted, I altered the skirt yoke by chopping an inch from the concave side. This gives me more waist/stomach room, while retaining fit through the hips.

I use a size 10 in this pattern, and chopping the inch (or so) from the yoke takes the waist up close to a size 14, but keeps the hips a 10. Such a simple alteration for those of us not blessed with small waists (but blessed with slim hips/butts/thighs).

This is a fairly heavy denim (from Darn Cheap Fabrics) and since it is woven with a yellow thread throughout, I decided to highlight the yellow with topstitching. I used topstitching thread to sew on the lined pockets, and again around the hem. I also used the selvage as a feature between the yoke and the skirt pieces. This was originally intended to be a plain skirt – but I just couldn’t help myself! I used a bright quilting cotton to face the yoke, to line the pockets, and also to face the hemline.

I just have to show off the invisible zip. It’s pretty good! If the selvage fringe was exactly the same depth on both sides, you’d barely notice it.

The inside finish is rather good too. Great instructions for a lovely finish, and you can use this wherever there is a facing with an invisible zip.

I even debated more topstitching along the yoke to secure the facing, but decided that might be overkill in conjunction with the selvage fringe and pocket topstitching. And I probably didn’t need another horizontal line around my stomach. That said, the heavy denim, combined with interfacing on both the exterior pieces and the facing pieces, makes for a skirt that holds in and smooths my abdominal adipose layer quite nicely.

And I love having those pockets!  I’m so glad that I joined in with the sewalong – and there is still time if you want to join in too, May isn’t quite over yet!