Draft and Sew a Skirt

In This video, we will talk about various types of fabrics that can be used for blouses or skirts.

In this section, we list fabric recommendations for learners to choose from. After this chapter, learners can begin looking for their desired fabric. We have also attached a guide on various fabric names and what king of apparel they tend to be used for.

Welcome to the second chapter!

In this chapter, you will be learning primarily about the various tools you must learn to become familiar with when performing basic drafting and sewing. There is quite a number of them, from more basic ones such as various rulers to the more complicated sewing machines themselves.

Let us first watch Melvin introduce some of the basic tools that aspiring learners might want to be aware of.

The steps in an essence:

1. Lay fabric laid flat (The wrong side facing up) and interlining laid just a s flat over the wrong side fabric on the ironing mat. Interlining's wrong side (The rougher surface) must face the wrong side of the fabric so the glue fuses with the fabric.

2. Take a piece of paper, lay it over your project as a means to help prevent the staining on the iron.

3. Turn the steam off for the iron. Turn on to the appropriate heat, apply a bit of pressure and slowly gradually move the iron to the surface of your work. You should see a nice flat surface without any bubbling. Repeat for the other unfused areas of your work.

4. Unfused areas can be gone over once again with more pressure from the iron.

The steps in an essence:

1. Make sure to identify which is the wrong side of the fabric and the right side to prevent mistakes. Fold the material edge to edge along with the salvage, with the correct side facing each other. Make sure the material is flat.

2. Lay your patterns out, make sure the grainline of the back skirt is parallel to the salvage. Mark and pin accordingly to your alignment.

3. For the front skirt, fold your pattern in half and align it to the folded edge of your fabric (The other side that's folded).

4. Begin cutting your patterns. After cutting the front skirt, make small snippets to your notches. (5mm will do)Remember to place the drill mark with an awl which can be done after cutting the back. You can also use a roller to make the cross mark and a chalk mark on the fabric itself for the drill. Make sure to mark both sides.

5. You can now remove your pins. You can continue to make out the wrong/right sides of the skirt or your reference.

Back Piece

• Centreback - Fold 0.5cm (You may iron the fold-down), sew 0.1cm away from the folding line. Backstitch first, followed by the forward stitch. When you reach the end, backstitch once again.

• Side Seam - Repeat the same steps as the centreback while making sure to follow the curve.

Front Piece

• Make sure the wrong side is facing up. Fold 0.5cm (You may iron the fold-down), sew 0.1cm away from the folding line. Backstitch first, followed by the forward stitch. When you reach the end, backstitch once again.

Do note that:

1. There is no need for backstitch.

2. Cut the thread once your reach the end and continue on the other side. Do remember to be cautious of the zipper head once you near each end of the zipper in your sewing process.

3. Always ensure you are sewing onto one layer only and not with the other side of the skirt.

Change footer to invisible zipper footer.

The Steps In An Essence:

Start with the front skirt and facing, make sure that your front skirt's right side is facing you while the facing's wrong side is facing you. Place the facing on the skirt, aligning the notches and pin accordingly. Make sure your darts are facing the inside.

Proceeding with the back facing. Make sure the centreback are aligned with each other. Make sure the right side of the back skirt is facing you, make sure to unzip it. Lift up your zipper. Place facing with the wrong side facing you on the skirt and pin accordingly. Make sure your darts are facing the inside. Do the same for the other side.