Simple Skirt - A Learning Curve!

I was inspired by the A line skirts made on the Sewing Bee programme last week. 

I especially loved the flowery one Ann made, and as I have some nice material with red roses on it, I thought that a new skirt made from this would be a fun idea.

Right well, I don't have a pattern - so I thought "How hard can it be?"  (LOL)

I didn't cut straight into the roses material of course and so instead used this jolly stuff...  (an ebay "bargain"!)  

I started by measuring: my waist; my hips at the widest point; the distance between waist and hip lines; and finally the total skirt length. 

Easy so far.

I then worked out how much material I'd need to loose in darts - taking most of that out at the back.  I then added a seam allowance and a little rise on either side of where the zip will go.  And that was my pattern!

I ruled the dart lines directly onto the fabric..... 

Then stitched it all up and even added a zip - let's face it I need practice with zips!

Now before I put it on, I thought it looked fairly alright....

BUT once on, I could see that I had been much too generous measuring my waist.... I had thought I didn't want it too tight... hummm... at least the bum fit is better.

Little darts on the front - almost invisible -or is that because the photo is out of focus?

Anyway, this was a bit of fun!  And has given the girls a giggle....  Now I just need to apply the obvious changes and have another go with the roses material.  Watch this space!