Are you ready to sew-along? Part 2 darts, seams and a zip!
McCalls 3341 skirt sew-along part 2. Hello everyone are you ready to sew?
Did you followed Part 1 (find it here,if not)
Have you cut out your fabric?
Have you marked your fabric to show where the darts are and one where the zip goes? (those dots)
then lets go…..
Darts
Starting with the back darts:
Find one of your back pieces, it should look like this…
locate your dart markings, did you use chalk or tailor tacks?
I used tailors tacks for mine they looked like this….
then….working on the wrong side of the fabric…
Top Tips…
Pin and/or tack the dart, then machine sew the dart from the top at the wide end to point at the bottom end…
and remember
Press the darts, but make sure they end up laying towards the centre back!
Sew the dart in the same way for the other back piece.
This is what mine looked like from the right side of my fabric…
Front Darts
Here is the front panel of my skirt find yours and identify the dart markings
Pin and/or tack darts and machine sew exactly as you did with the two back darts…
You have now completed all four darts!
well done….
Back seam and ZIP!
Back seam first.
Place your two back panels right sides together like this:
so tack above the zip mark and machine sew below it
like this…..
it should now look like this….
before we neaten the edges of this seam we are going to add the zip…..
ZIP
Do you have FOZ?
(fear of zips)
I did for years I avoided them when ever I could.
well fear no longer!!
We are going to follow the pattern instructions for this zip because it is the simplest one ever.
It is called a ‘centred zip’
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2
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sew….line up the feet with an edge
about 6mm from seam edge.
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When sewn remove tacking thread and press lightly.
I have used a contrast thread and two lines of stitching why?
…why not I say?
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Zip and back seam finished.
Congrats
Side seams
Now we are ready to sew the side seams together…
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4
At this point I would strongly advise you to try on your skirt and make sure it fits.
If it is too big, take it in slightly all over.
Start at the side seams and if its still too big take in the front or back darts a little depending on where it is too big,
Remember this is your chance to get a perfect fit!
Ask someone to pin for you or….
TOP TIP
put it on inside out and pin it yourself!
Skirt so far….
Having made this skirt before I am aware of how it fits on me.
Now, let me just say to all you experienced sewers, in case I have made you “tut” at my methods!!
this is not a sewing master class!
“I merely want everyone to lose the fear of sewing and see how joyful and simple it can be!”…Daisy Jones.
Let me know how you get on, ask me anything you do not understand, I will answer on this post, so check back later….
Next week (in part three) we will cover the waist facing and hem..until then sewers
bestest
Update: Part Three can be found HERE