FYI: as I am trying to get out my posts I have no picture of my make for this yet I will put it up tomorrow when I can take a pic. in the sunshine!

I have a ton of posts in draft, about various makes, customers makes, etc.  I just haven’t got around to editing and posting them all yet, so I thought I would start with the latest and move out from there!  I am starting a new segment, Sewing Free, all about sewing with the free patterns available for download around the webisphere.  Surprisingly or rather not so surprisingly, there are alot of free patterns out there , bloggers create a tnt pattern and decide to share it with us all, pattern companies make free patterns available sometimes as an incentive to go on a mailing list or such like, sometimes just because.  I have found a lot of free patterns for women (my women’s free patterns on pinterest) and children and accessories.  Not so many, if any for men 🙁

The Helena Skirt

[So I started this post on the 4th September 2014!!]

 

The fabric is very cheap medium weight cotton, hence the creases.  I love this style on me I think, because I have a big butt, and this skirt hides it haha.

 

I have had the Helena skirt (click here to go to the Helena page on Burda Style) from Burda Style (this is a pattern by a Burda Style member that is sold on the Burda site) in my sewing line up for a long time now.  [So since I first started this post, the pattern seems to be no longer available.  The instructions are still there, but I can’t find the download.)

Construction

It was super easy to sew up, although I didn’t use the instructions.  There are minimal markings on the pattern, (now I am using an older version so the pattern Burda is selling now may have been updated)  no notches or button hole markings.  So it would pay to add in notches to help you in construction later on.

The instructions are clear and there are pictures, so with the help of added notches for the skirt sides and even the waist band, you shouldn’t have too many problems.  I used a cotton drill which made the skirt hang quite nicely, not too drapey and not too stiff!

The waist band didn’t fit the top of my skirt, I used size 18, but this is a usual problem for me and I should have really checked before I cut it out, so I used a 1cm seam instead.  There was no need for an overlap as I did the button placket.

Best part, once I got around to it after cutting out, it only took me about an hour to put it together.

Fit

I sewed the pattern up as it was and it fit quite well, I did no alterations at all as both the back and front have pleats, and the waist is on the natural waist so I didn’t need to do my usual full ‘butt’ adjustment at all.  The waist was a little too big, which is easily fixed for my next one.  I think the length is a little on the long side, as the width of the skirt does call for it to be quite short on me to suit me.

For next time:

1. take the waist in by about 5cm and add belt loops.
2. shorten by about 20cm from original pattern.
3. start button holes further from the edge of the button stand, and if I had read the instructions I would have realised that the buttonholes needed to be vertical on the button stand not horizontal, only the one on the waist band being horizontal.  Oh well I like it as is but will do it correctly next time.
4. put in pockets, don’t think I want patch pockets, but side seam pockets would be ideal!

Verdict

This is now a tried and true pattern, even though I have only made it once.  Yeeeeessss I will make it again, I have plans for a lightweight denim, a chambray and may be one in a pattern.  As well as some coloured ones.  Yay!

I love this pattern, it is a great basic skirt pattern in a style that suits me.  I give this pattern 4 out of 5 hearts.  It would have been five, but there are no pockets!!

 Next up

The two – toned singlet from teachmefashion.com

 

Disclaimer:

There are no affiliate links in this post!  All opinions are my own.