Spring sewing

I think the warm, sunny, Spring time weather that we’ve had recently is what has given me an urge to do some sewing. Now those of you who regularly read my blog will know that sewing scares me. But it’s something I want to get to grips with and finally master (well become competent at it anyway!)

So I started with something simple – an A-line skirt. I used Amy Butler’s barcelona skirt pattern and some of Amy Butler’s fabric which I think is perfect for summer.

And here’s the result:

 

Amy Butler Barcelona Skirt

The instructions that come with the pattern are good and the pattern pack also includes the instructions for making a layered skirt and an apron.  I might well try the layered skirt next.  I’ll need to do some sewing again soon, to make sure I don’t forget how to do it!  I think I should have taken step-by-step photos to remind myself of what I did at each stage.

I didn’t know how to put in a zip, and the pattern asked for an invisible zip which I didn’t have, so I asked Mum to help me with that bit.  Otherwise I did it pretty much by myself, which is a massive achievement for me.  And I did it in a weekend too.

Why knit a skirt in separate pieces?

I have to say this thought has crossed my mind whilst knitting the dress and I was wondering whether it would have been quicker in the long run to knit the skirt part in the round – I wouldn’t have to do purl rows then and I’m much quicker at knit stitch.

However this morning I noticed someone ask the same thing on Ravelry and the replies are worth remembering so I thought I’d make a note of them here:

• As with sweaters, you want seams to keep the garment from stretching out. A skirt knit in one piece can stretch as you wear it and make the holes bigger and the skirt longer. Not something you want. By having a sewn seam at both sides, it helps keep the skirt from getting longer. (From YarnFloozy)
• knitting in the round is actually knitting a spiral, and spirals tend to twist. If you knit in two pieces, you are knitting straight rows, and you won’t get that sideways torque that spirals develop. Knitted skirts tend to stretch out when sat in, and the spiral knit emphasizes that. (From mehitabel)