Simplicity 7015 Skirt

Reviewed by:	Ann Smith	About Ann Smith CA USA Member since: 8/24/02 Reviews written: 154 Sewing skills:Advanced Favored by: 185 people patterns reviewed: 151 Bio: I love to sew for fashion, especially unusual designs. I own way too many patterns and fabric! I hav...full profile
Posted on:	12/31/02 10:29 PM
Last Updated:	1/3/03 1:30 AM
Pattern Size:	Regular
Project Photo:
Pattern Photo:	Simplicity Pattern Information Pattern Information provided by Ann Smith
Pattern Rating:	Recommended, but with modifications
This simple skirt pattern has already been reviewed twice here at PR. Christy loved it and Kel hated it. (Kel did a different view involving trim that I didn't deal with in view A.) I'm here to give my viewpoint. I made the skirt according to the instructions and struggled as Kel did with fit. I think if you are straight through the torso it might work but I am very curvy in the high hip and tummy. The 2 darts in the back didn't do enough to shape the waistline. It just stood away from my body and moved around uncomfortably. My waist is 10 inches smaller than the high hip area. However this problem was very easily solved by adding darts at the side (where side seams would be if there were any). The other problem with the pattern instructions involves the buttonhole and button placement. I fiddled around quite a bit tranferring the markings from the pattern to the fabric and trying to decide if the placement was right for me. After sewing the 2 darts you do the interfacing for the buttonhole. Then the only other thing to do is to miter the corners and topstitch all around the fabric. It is just a simple rectangle. You put it on and then you discover that, even if you are lucky and the buttonhole is in the right spot, the interfacing shows when the fabric folds back as it is supposed to do. You can see the interfacing showing in my picture....that light spot in front. This won't be a problem for me because I will wear my top as an overblouse which is a more flattering look for me. I have just made this skirt a second time and here is what I recommend: Ignore instructions for buttonholes and buttons. Add extra darts to shape to your waist (I measured the distance from center back to my sides and put the darts there). Sew the darts and turnback and stitch the edges. Try on, overlapping right over left and mark center front and the spot where the underlap hits on your right. Make buttonholes there in the band created by the turned back edge (not in the body as instructions suggest). You will not need the interfacing at all. I timed myself and the second attempt took 10 minutes to cut out, 45 minutes stitching darts and edges, 5 minutes trying on to mark button and hole placement, 5 minutes to do buttonholes and buttons...65 minutes. You really don't need the pattern as this is just a rectangle equal to about your hip measurement and half that again (if you are 40 then cut 60 x the length you want) Add 1 inch allowance all around to turn back the edges. I'm going on about about this so much because I really like the concept of this skirt. It is such a simple idea and very effective looking as well as quick to make. Perfect for a plaid, which my second skirt is view here, because you don't have to match the plaid!