My Mini Hem-Fix Experience...

This is officially my first Burda WOF skirt. Also amongst my 158 (3 were inadvertently triplicated from an original) reviews, this is really my first review of a skirt.


I have not regularly worn short skirts or shorts in public since the mid 90's. This picture is from 1994.

Pattern Description
My description: Retro-looking aline skirt with faced waistline, button-down front and pockets.

I didn't know Burda signed up Jennifer Lopez to model.




Burda's description:
"Everything is true-to-style here: the nostalgic jacquard pattern, the romantic pale turquoise colour, the feminine a-line shape, small patch pockets as well as self-fabric covered buttons".


Size
Burda misses' 34-44. I sewed a "40" and it is really fitted at the waist and hips, and fortunately my fabric had enough stretch. Already I feel that below the waist, this particular a-line silhouette was somewhat overwhelming for my frame.

Fabric
Stretch cotton twill from EmmaOneSock.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Somewhat due to my fabric and buttons choice and not having a 22" waistline. My picture did not capture the actual a-line quality of my skirt. My fabric choice and buttons made my skirt more offbeat and whimsical. In the Burda magazine photo, there's a baby next to the model, seated on the floor. How RARELY realistic to have a mom wearing a skirt like this shortly after having a baby. When my daughter was that baby's age I could only wear (and continue to wear) pants with elastic waistbands.


Favorite Features
* Retro styling
* Easy to construct
* Well drafted. The pattern pieces aligned nicely, especially where the upper facing, waist edge and darts are concerned.


Not-so-favorite Features
*Between the first and second button, there was a ripple caused by my lower belly. After looking again at Burda's version, the thin model experienced this issue, but, of course much less pronounced. Christy S also provided a sleek and clever solution in her review of her inspiring and adorable skirt.

*Certain steps in the directions were not clear.


Directions
* Directions were adequate, especially if you are familiar with sewing pants with upper facings and shirts with front facings.

View from the inside.

* BEFORE folding to create the front self-facing and attaching the upper facing to finish the waist section, Burda does not mention to finish the edges of the front self-facings and the lower (unattached) edge of the upper facing prior to Bias binding leaves a flawless finish. Since I did not want to spend more time on supposedly a very easy garment, I simply folded and iron-pressed the raw edges under 1/4" and topstitched in place.

"Lay, lay, lay what you want, but don't play games with the directions..."
* The tricky part is step, "Lay self-facings on front edges outward and pin to upper edge." I had to "lay" on this one for just a moment. Then I got it. Just rewording that step to "turn outwards the front self-facing along the first fold line and pin self facing at upper edge" would have been more clear to me. Then the upper facing (consisting of each front facing attached to the back facing with a center back seam) is sewn to the upper edge of the skirt, right sides together, paying attention to sewing the ends of the front facing onto the upper part of the self-facing (turn outwards).

Then I read "Lay upper facing upward and stitch to seam allowance, close to seam...." Huh? I thought it was mentioned to sew the upper facing onto the upper edge of the skirt. I had to think about this a little longer. Burda could have simply wrote, "Understitch the upper facing to prevent it from flapping out."

*If I sewed with heavier material such as denim, I would have not cut each pocket on a fold (pocket piece would be folded in half and stitched right sides together, leaving a gap large enough to turn inside out), but instead as a single piece to avoid the extra bulk when I sew them onto the skirt fronts at the placement lines. I topstitched the pocket onto the skirt approximately 1/8" from the edge instead of hand-stitching as directed.


Modifications
*Shortened skirt by 2" to raise the skirt just above knee level.

*Cut pockets on the bias to slightly interrupt the busy print on the front of the skirt.

*Used four instead of five buttons. I wanted to preserve freedom of movement such as walking comfortably in normal strides, and being able to sit down I wish I had reduced the spacing buttons a tad to be able to sew a fifth button since I shortened the length.


Conclusion
I am not sure as to whether I would sew it again. Although I like the style, I don't think it is a style that flatters my proportions (short torso, long legs, rounded tummy). If I did sew it again, I would sew it in a nectarine color and use either big white or black buttons for a dramatic effect.

Despite the directions, I still would recommend this pattern as a first time Burda WOF-er, especially for those like myself who have not made (let alone worn) skirts for some time.

After making this skirt, I have more incentive to wear skirts, and thus make more...

BTW: I still have those Levi's shorts... in a box somewhere.