MISSESβ SKIRTS: Below mid-knee skirts A, B have pleats, waist facing and left side zipper closure. A: made with a border print. B: ribbon ties. C, D, E: self faced yoke, flared below mid-knee skirt and back zipper closure. C: decorative buttons on front yoke. E: contrast yoke with purchased trim inserted between yoke and skirt.
I’ve had this pattern for about 5 months but kept putting it off since it was just a basic skirt. A few months ago I found some great fabric at Jo-Ann’s that reminded me of the traditional Ukrainian embroidery and clothing, so being Ukrainian (okay, half, but still!) I HAD to get it. I kept this fabric aside trying to think of the PERFECT outfit to make. I bought what was left on the bolt – roughly 2 1/2 yards. (If you know how I can get more of this fabric please email me!). It is a 100% cotton light quilting fabric. I kept debating on a dress but knew it would have to be pretty short since I have such a long torso. I decided a skirt would be perfect so I made view C, minus the junk on the yolk.
It ended up VERY long… I should have realized this while making it but honestly, I was jamming to music and not paying attention to the fact it was a bit sunday-school-teacher-long! I cut off about 5 inches to make it way more flattering! I also lined all of the skirt since my Ukrainian fabric was a bit lightweight and sheer.
I was planning to go to Binghamton, New York to visit my Dad’s side of the family (my Ukrainian side) and also attend the parish’s annual Ukrainian festival. I wanted to wear this skirt there, to show homage to my heritage and my hobby. I come up to Binghamton twice a year to visit my Dido (means Grandpa), my aunt and my brother and his family. I have to say though, I seriously have the best Dido in the world – be jealous 92 years old and still fun!
Anyways, this year the festival was CRAZY hot and humid… so ignore any super sweaty pictures, I did try to edit those out. My sweet nephew Stephen dances traditional folk Ukrainian songs with the other children of the parish and I couldn’t get over how freaking cute he looked in his outfit!!
Okay, so back on topic! The skirt was extremely simple to make. The directions were clear and I don’t recall getting angry about them at any point in the sewing process. The skirt does sit up high over your belly button, which can be kind of annoying but flattering too. I believe I made a size 12, I typically make between 10-14 in pattern sizes. I’d highly recommend this pattern to anyone, especially new sewists – it’s very beginner friendly!
Before I left for New York I did make sure to make Guinness a matching babushka … by the look on his face I’d say he LOVES it π
And I couldn’t leave without getting myself some Ukrainian Matryoshka Nesting Dolls!
Time for bed! ΠΡΠΊΡΡ & ΠΠΎΠ±ΡΠ°Π½ΡΡ!
Your skirt turned out adorable π simply beautiful. Your nephew is a handsome little guy. Great pics π
Thanks Sylvia! I love that little guy – he’s so sweet!
Beautiful job Amy! Give my regards to your family. Wish I was there…..! Grams Patricia
Thank you very much π
Pretty skirt! The Ukranian print is awesome, have you tried searching online for it? Maybe you could take a swatch in to Joanns and ask about it if you want to try and find more of it.
I recently made some costumes for a production and it required self faced yokes, I couldn’t be bothered with them but the person in charge of costumes was adamant that the skirts were sewn exactly like the pattern :/
I tried searching on Jo-Ann’s website but didn’t find it. I do think I’ll go up there with it and ask – hopefully someone can help! Sounds like the person in charge shouldn’t be so picky!! LOL
Hi. I’m currently trying to make this skirt and struggling with the cut out. You have two paper parts 4 and 3. Do you cut out 4 of theses or do you cut them on a fold? The layout on the pattern is very confusing?
Thank you
H π
Part 3 you cut out 2 of them not on a fold. Piece 4 is kinda confusing. It should either be on a fold, or if you can’t fit it correctly you cut out 2 but you don’t cut the long side of piece 4. Then you flip the pattern piece to the other side and lay the uncut long side up against the long side of the pattern. In the end, piece 4 needs to be 1 piece not 2. I hope that makes sense. The easiest way is just to put piece 4 on a fold. I think they have it how they do because you may need to fold the fabric the opposite way to get it to fit. Let me know if that confuses you even more LOL
Ohhh thank you so much. This is my first sewing project since I was 15 at school. I’m now 30! Just another quick question, I get that you cut 5 on a fold and that’s the front of the joke with two 6s for the bsvk, but on the pattern it lays out x4 6s and x2 5s. Thank you again. Heather. π
That’s great that you are sewing again π You do want to cut out 2 5’s and that is for the front yoke. It includes the front facing that people will see and the back facing that is inside the skirt up against your tummy. The same concept goes for the back 6 piece. Cut out 4 of them. 2 will be used for the outside facing that people see and 2 for the inside that is against your skin. On mine I cut out 1 piece 5 in my print and 1 in white. For piece 6 I cut out 2 in print and 2 in white. My white is what is my lining. You can use your regular fabric. I didn’t because I didn’t have enough. If you have more questions just let me know and I’ll try my best!
Thank you. Can now get cutting. π
You’re welcome! Let me know how it turns out π
Amy- I love your skirt and your nephew is very handsome in his shirt!
Thanks for commenting on my blog! I’m so happy that I found another young Ukrainian that loves to sew too! We should definitely collaborate in the future!
Thank you π We should! I get so excited to find other Ukrainian women that are into the same hobbies as I am. We have to stick together! π
I love this skirt! No wonder the fabric caught your eye — I would have bought all that was left as well. Yay for Ukrainian sewists π
Thank you! Isn’t that fabric just great? I was so excited to find something that looked Ukrainian without having to embroider!