The $0 Dollar Skirt

This skirt is also affectionately referred to as the drunk skirt, because I started the skirt and a bottle of wine at the same time, and finished them at the same time as well. The reason it is the $0 skirt is because I got the fabric free out of my friend's grandmother's basement, and instead of buying a zipper I just used a button closure. I loosely based it off the tutorial here, replacing the zipper/hook and eye with a button and omitting the fusible interfacing. This skirt was not made with regular wear or lasting in mind, I just wanted to try and make it to try something new with sewing techniques I haven't tried before, and to generally practise.

I have actually worn this skirt out, so it gets the label "wearable", and some people even complimented me on it (once they found out I made it, not just because they liked it in general). If I wanted to make this skirt again and have it last, here are the things that I would do differently:

1. I would follow the tutorial's instructions to use a zipper and hook & eye loop, and interfacing. The waistband folds over the way I made it and requires a lot of adjusting, and the button and modesty patch add volume on my already large hips (but only on one side). 
2. I would calculate and measure out the knife pleats. For this skirt I just eyeballed it and hoped for the best, but I think it would look a little sharper and put together if they were a little more precise. 
3. I would finish everything nicer. I didn't properly finish the hem (I would do a double hem, cut it with pinking shears or zig zag stitch it to finish), the pleats are not all even with the waistband and are already coming out, and I didn't do a great job with the ironing. 

Overall, this skirt was a very positive experience. I proved that I can make a skirt in an evening, I learned a few new techniques and I enjoyed a great bottle of wine and 4 episodes of Say Yes To The Dress.

Thank you for reading!

Amanda