It’s been a while since I last made a skirt, and since this Sewaholic pattern is on my #2017makenine list and the warmer weather is coming, I thought it was about time that I made it.
It is the first time I have made a Sewaholic pattern. I purchased this several months ago from The Crafty Sew and So in Leicester, with the intention of making it up in a lovely corduroy for Winter, but just didn’t get around to it. I love that it is a design that you can make using Summer or Winter appropriate fabric. The fabric, by the way, was from Barry’s Fabrics in Birmingham, purchased on a recent sewing get-together (#fmbham). It’s a cotton chambray with a slight stretch. I can’t find a link to this particular one but if you like this style of fabric may I suggest you head over to Minerva crafts where they have a great selection of patterned and plain chambrays.
I enjoyed the pattern. The instructions were easy to understand and accompanied by black and white illustrations. There are 3 different choices – a slightly gathered skirt, a fuller gathered skirt or a slightly longer knee length version.
I can’t see anywhere if Sewaholic have a skill description on this pattern, but I would guess as advanced beginner/intermediate. You might notice that the waistband is made from several pieces and optional top stitching, slash pockets, gathering and zip insertion are part of this skirt’s construction.
Having said all that, the instructions are very good and take you through the whole process stage by stage as you would expect.
I love that is has pockets, (hooray for pockets)! and that they lay nice and flat. They are strengthened with a little twill tape and are edge finished with a line of top stitching.
I chose to make version A, which has fewer gathers as I didn’t want to add bulk to my hips. This worked out great. I have since learned that Sewaholic patterns are designed for curvy shapes (Yay)! and so I don’t think this would have been an issue even with more gathers!
The centre back of the skirt has a regular 9″ zip. I have sewn so many invisible zips just lately it was a nice change to use a regular zip this time.
Finally, this skirt is a top stitchers dream! If top stitching is your thing then you need to seriously consider this skirt! The top stitching is optional, and could be done in a contrasting thread if you like that look. I initially was going to leave it, but I couldn’t resist as I really like that challenge of neatly topstitched seam. I’m glad I did as I think it looks great when you are looking at the skirt in detail, especially as some of the waistband seams are curved.
All in all a great project. I made no alterations to the size I cut, and it fits like a glove. Happy days. Needless to say I am now keen to sew more Sewaholic patterns. I particularly like the look of the Cambie dress, the Renfrew top and the Rae skirt. Oh dear- more additions to my very long ‘to make’ list!
Have you made this skirt or any other Sewaholic patterns? I would love to hear your thoughts. How are you getting on with your #2017makenine list? This is my fourth item now sewn.
Take care, and I’ll be back soon.
Kathy x
Love your skirt. It’s in my list too could have just jumped up a few places thanks to yours. Really like sewaholic patterns have made a few now try the this low trousers ..fab !
Thanks Amanda! Ha! I know what you mean – I have tried to be really organised this year planning my makes month by month. This has gone completely out the window as I am inspired by other sewists makes! (especially this month with #mmmay17), oh well ….X
Hi Kathy, What a lovely skirt and a lovely professional finish. I haven’t used Sewaholic patterns and am now tempted to try this one. Thanks for sharing. Ann x
Hi Ann, yes the skirt came out really well, I really like the gentle gathers (although there is a more gathered version if you prefer)! I hadn’t tried Sewaholic before either and it was a joy!
Have a great weekend, Kathy x
The Sewaholic Crescent Skirt is one of my two top favorite skirt patterns. I have made it twice, and plan to make several more, each time in the same “reduced volume” view as yours. You didn’t mention the extensive sewalong for this skirt on the Sewaholic blog, so I have appended the link: http://sewaholic.net/crescent-sew-along-lets-do-it/ It includes 23 fully illustrated installments, and even tells how to line it, should one want to do so. I also made several Pendrell tee shirts, which I loved, the Saltspring Dress, which was beautiful, but not workable for me, as I need to wear a bra with straps, and the Cambie Dress, which as a total fail. There are excellent Sewalongs for most of the Sewaholic patterns: http://sewaholic.net/sew-alongs/
Thank you for this Ann, I wasn’t aware of this information so that is very helpful, I will pop over and take a look!