Drafting rocks.
Earlier this year I drafted an A-line dress using Enid Gilchrist. TJ gifted this publication to me and it opened my eyes to pattern drafting again. While studying, I saw a call for sewers to test out an instruction sheet to draft a pencil skirt from Studio Faro. So I put my hand up to help out.
Anita from Studio Faro sent through her updated Pencil skirt worksheet and I’d finished 3 assessments and DH was watching the rugby so I took an hour to draft my own pencil skirt. What a sewer rush I got once I put together the test skirt. Sewing geek dance of joy. This is the same dance as the Pattern Magic dance of joy.
My drafting tools at home are minimal – a standard 30cm ruler and a curve shape of some description. This skirt has 4cm of ease at the waist and on checking the fit I felt this was a bit much but once you put on the waistband, 4 cm is worthwhile having.
You know how we put fly facings or Zip guards on jeans? Well Anita suggests adding a zip guard for this invisible zipper. I originally though – why would you do that?
But I decided to stick with the instructions and learn something new from Anita’s suggestions. Now – I like using the zip guard for skirts.
If you’ve ever had one of ‘those’ morning where you’re rushing around to get ready in the morning and forgotten to zip up the back of your skirt after doing the top button on the waist band, having the zip guard would help me get through one of ‘those’ mornings. The zip guard also stops the zipper teeth getting caught on other fabrics such as tucked in silk tops and other ‘bits and pieces’. I really like zip guards on skirts.
Keep an eye out for Gail’s version of this pencil skirt. I saw her lovely hand sewing on her version last week. I’ve hand sewn the hem. on my skirts.
Beatrice:
Is being made up with brocade right now. It’s my post-study project.
velosews 
That black and white outfit looks absolutely fantastic on you! What a great print!
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Thanks so much for testing the Skirt Draft and Pencil Skirt and taking the time putting together this great post.
Great job on the finish of the Zip Guard and the inside of your skirt. Something to be proud of when the inside looks as good as the outside. 🙂
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Yes fly facings are awesome! Especially on denim skirts with their deadly metal teethed zippers XD That dress is flattering on you and the suit is very super-hero-y (the raglan sleeves and colours really remind me of the superhero comics I loved-Phoenix from the XMen has that colour scheme).
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You are such a good pattern tester!!
Great skirt!
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Gorgeous outfits!
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Love the skirts and how you have made the matching peplum top. Need to look into the zipper shield and see how that works.
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You have two lovely skirts Maria, and I like the idea of a zip guard too.
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I really like your new outfit! the fabric is lovely and it suits you. Doesn't having an external fly defeat the purpose of using an invisible zip in the first place? Unless you mean a placket on the inside of the skirt, which I agree is a good feature to have 🙂
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Carolyn, that's why I questioned the need for an internal fly. But you're right, I meant a placket on the inside of the skirt. Or a zip guard as Dillander mentioned above.
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I'll be posting my two skirts from the Studio Faro drafting sheet on Sunday…big few days ahead. Love your outfits and you are right drafting rocks!! Almost forgot to mention, I love the zip shield.
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Your outfits look wonderful and fit you beautifully. I've never thought of a zipper guard on skirts but would have welcomed then when I was wearing silk blouses with my skirts and jackets.
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Looks beautiful, well done on the pattern drafting 🙂
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