Showing posts with label Zlata skirt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zlata skirt. Show all posts

Apr 3, 2014

Zlata skirt in Sew News magazine


After a series of posts about sewing the Zlata skirt, you must have expected I'd give it a break for some time. I thought so too myself, but then I remembered I haven't even mentioned the current issue of Sew News which features Zlata skirt on the cover! Each time my garment is being featured on the cover I am equally amazed and feel happy. However, I've never thought my garments would be featured on the cover two issues in a row! Oh joy!


Zlata skirt by Stepalica on the cover of Sew News

You must be wondering if the article covers the pattern drafting process. Yes, the article gives a detailed explanation of how the pattern is drafted and a brief sewing instructions.

Why would I publicly share drafting instructions for the pattern I'm selling myself? Well, not every seamstress has an access to Sew News. Other than that, not every seamstress who reads the magazine is skillful enough or comfortable with drafting a pattern. So my logic is as the following: who wants to learn (or already knows) pattern drafting will learn a lot from my articles and tutorials, and this person most probably won't buy my pattern. However, many other people like having a tried and trued pattern that's precisely drafted which does not leave any room for dilemma or guessing.
The reason I'm publishing the patterns I've already written of and that I've posted the instructions for is that many readers asked for drafted patterns for certain models. On the other hand, since I'm still working on my day job, I only have a limited time for sewing and pattern drafting and sometimes I can't manage to simultaneously draft different models for the magazine and for selling.

Do I break the contract conditions with Sew News by selling the patterns I write about? No, since the contract is limited only to the contents of the article I write: the text and the pictures / illustrations, which cannot be published in any other magazine or on blog or website. On the other hand, I have the right to publish the skirt anywhere, as well as to write about it for any other magazine, blog or website, as long as I don't use the same pics and text.

Will I launch the patterns I wrote about for the magazine in the future? Yes, there will probably be more similar situations in the future, but I plan to also publish patterns for unseen and brand new models that I won't write about for the magazine. It will all depend on my inspiration and the time availability.

Finally, here's a reminder of how the skirt looks on me. I really like this skirt and I can't wait to get it back.


How to buy the pattern


Stepalica: Zlata skirt pattern
Zlata skirt pattern costs $11.98,and it can be bought via my Etsy shop. 
I use 2Checkout as a payment collector - it is an equivalent to PayPal - which accepts the following payment methods:

* PayPal via 2checkout (www.2co.com)
* Credit / Debit cards via 2checkout : Visa, Dina Card, Master Card, American Express, Discover

PayPal doesn't support selling option for my country yet, so I use 2Checkout payment collector instead.







When making a purchase order, select "Other" in the payment options. I have to manually issue an invoice for you, via 2Checkout system. The invoice contains a link where you can complete the purchase - it's a page on 2Checkout's website. Once you fill in your billing information, you can chose to pay either by using PayPal account or your credit card. You don't have to register to 2checkout and you won't be charged any additional fees. It's simple, fast and secure. Once the payment is completed, I will enable the pattern download on my Etsy store. I monitor the state of my Etsy store several times a day, and I get instant emails whenever any change is made, so the purchase is usually completed within the same day. Sometimes, due to my daily duties and a time zone differences, it takes more than a day to complete the purchase.

For any additional information about the pattern or the purchase, feel free to email me at: anajan.stepalica [at] gmail [dot] com. 


Mar 25, 2014

Zlata skirt sewalong: #17 Pattern alterations for various styles


We have finished sewing the Zlata skirt. I showed you how to sew all three variations of the skirt, and you saw the lining pattern can be used to make an A-line skirt.
Today I 'll show you five alternative ways to use the pattern, by making alterations to it. Since all the alterations are rather simple, I decided to describe them all in a single post instead of having two separate ones I initially announced. Therefore, this is the last post from the Zlata sewalong series.

A skirt with horizonral stripes


I've already shown you this variation of the skirt, with horizontal seams that  make the skirt look as if it had stripes. You can alter the skirt using two or more fabrics in contrasting color or prints, and you can make as many horizontal stripes as you like. You can even make the stripes in different widths.
You can use various fabric remnants to make this skirt

Zlata skirt sewalong: #17 Pattern alterations for various styles

Alter the pattern by making curves along the skirt panels, parallel to the hemline. Cut the skirt panels along the new curves and cut the fabrics using the new pattern pieces.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #17 Pattern alterations for various styles

A plaid skirt


If you want to make a skirt using a plaid fabric, and you'd like to match the horizontal stripes along the seams, while making them parallel to the hemline, you will need to cut the skirt panels to pieces as shown on the picture below. Rotate all the pieces so that the hemline is almost horizontal, and mark the straight grain lines.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #17 Pattern alterations for various styles

When cutting the fabric make sure all the checkers are well matched along the seams. Alternatively, you could cut the pleat panels on bias, which would make the skirt really interesting.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #17 Pattern alterations for various styles

A gathered skirt

Instead of making box pleats, you could make gathers along the top edge of the skirt panel. Cut the pattern for the view C and gather the top edge instead of pleating it. The skirt should be gathered between the left and right side pleats. You could use light to medium weight fabrics like viscose, georgette, chiffon, silk, cotton, linen, lightweight denim, thin corduroy, soft suiting, etc.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #17 Pattern alterations for various styles

Šivenje Zlata suknje: #17 bonus: izmene kroja za različite stilove

A - line skirt with pockets


You can trim the lining pattern with pockets and make a nice A-line skirt. Lay the pocket lining pattern over the front skirt lining panel and copy the pocket opening shape to the skirt pattern. Cut the skirt along the drawn curve. Use the pocket pattern pieces to complete the skirt.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #17 Pattern alterations for various styles

Zlata skirt sewalong: #17 Pattern alterations for various styles

A skirt with two box pleatse


You will get another interesting variation of the skirt if you reduce the number of pleats. The pleats can be removed from the skirt panel by closing them, meaning connecting the end fold lines of the same pleat. The center front pleat can easily be removed by folding it along the full pleat line, use the fold line as a center front / center back line.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #17 Pattern alterations for various styles

Zlata skirt sewalong: #17 Pattern alterations for various styles

I hope I have given you enough ideas for various interpretations of the Zlata skirt pattern. Along with the three views and the lining pattern you have a solid base for making lots of various skirts. I believe you'll discover some new ways for using the pattern as well. Either way, I would love to see where your imagination has taken you!

To be honest, writing the sewalong has dried me out, so I'll try to rest this week, but I'll continue writing on a regular basis from the next week. I'll write as per usual schedule - on Mondays and Thursdays. During the last month, since I published the pattern I even managed to sew several garments, and I'll show them to you in the days to come. I even prepared some new tutorials for you.


Zlata Sewalong - the posts



How to buy the pattern


Stepalica: Zlata skirt pattern
Zlata skirt pattern costs $11.98,and it can be bought via my Etsy shop. 
I use 2Checkout as a payment collector - it is an equivalent to PayPal - which accepts the following payment methods:

* PayPal via 2checkout (www.2co.com)
* Credit / Debit cards via 2checkout : Visa, Dina Card, Master Card, American Express, Discover

PayPal doesn't support selling option for my country yet, so I use 2Checkout payment collector instead.







When making a purchase order, select "Other" in the payment options. I have to manually issue an invoice for you, via 2Checkout system. The invoice contains a link where you can complete the purchase - it's a page on 2Checkout's website. Once you fill in your billing information, you can chose to pay either by using PayPal account or your credit card. You don't have to register to 2checkout and you won't be charged any additional fees. It's simple, fast and secure. Once the payment is completed, I will enable the pattern download on my Etsy store. I monitor the state of my Etsy store several times a day, and I get instant emails whenever any change is made, so the purchase is usually completed within the same day. Sometimes, due to my daily duties and a time zone differences, it takes more than a day to complete the purchase.

For any additional information about the pattern or the purchase, feel free to email me at: anajan.stepalica [at] gmail [dot] com. 


Mar 24, 2014

Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3


Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3

Today I'll show you the third method for hemming a circle or a straight skirt. The technique is suitable fore medium to heavy weight fabrics which shouldn't show off the topstitching on the right side.

You will need a lot of bias cut strips of fabric, which you can make yourself or buy at a notions store. It's important to use a lightweight fabric for strips.

Cut 3 cm wide bias strips, cut enough of them to hem the skirt. Sew the strips together with angled seams that reduces the bulk when the strip is folded in half width-vise and press the seams.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3

Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3

With right sides together place the strip over the skirt and align the edges. Pin the fabrics together.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3

Sew the band to the skirt, by distancing the stitch line 0.5 cm from the edge of the fabrics.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3

Fold the ends of the band to the side, cut off the extra length and sew the band to the skirt.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3

Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3

Flip the band over the seam and press it.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3

Now flip the band over the edge of the skirt and pin it in place.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3

Using the stitch in the ditch technique, sew the band in place.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3

Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3

With wrong sides together fold the bottom edge of the skirt and pin it in place. The width of the hemline should be 2 - 3 cm. Press the fold line.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3

Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3

Hand sew the hem to the skirt, using a dense set of stitches, that do not show on the right side of the fabric.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3

Due to all the pressing of the hemline the pleats have lost their shape, so press them in place once again.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3

Zlata skirt sewalong: #16 Hem the skirt, method 3

Now you have made the final work on your lovely skirt!


Zlata Sewalong - the posts


Tomorrow I'll show you some nice pattern alterations that will provide various styles.

Stay tuned!

How to buy the pattern


Stepalica: Zlata skirt pattern
Zlata skirt pattern costs $11.98,and it can be bought via my Etsy shop. 
I use 2Checkout as a payment collector - it is an equivalent to PayPal - which accepts the following payment methods:

* PayPal via 2checkout (www.2co.com)
* Credit / Debit cards via 2checkout : Visa, Dina Card, Master Card, American Express, Discover

PayPal doesn't support selling option for my country yet, so I use 2Checkout payment collector instead.







When making a purchase order, select "Other" in the payment options. I have to manually issue an invoice for you, via 2Checkout system. The invoice contains a link where you can complete the purchase - it's a page on 2Checkout's website. Once you fill in your billing information, you can chose to pay either by using PayPal account or your credit card. You don't have to register to 2checkout and you won't be charged any additional fees. It's simple, fast and secure. Once the payment is completed, I will enable the pattern download on my Etsy store. I monitor the state of my Etsy store several times a day, and I get instant emails whenever any change is made, so the purchase is usually completed within the same day. Sometimes, due to my daily duties and a time zone differences, it takes more than a day to complete the purchase.

For any additional information about the pattern or the purchase, feel free to email me at: anajan.stepalica [at] gmail [dot] com. 


Mar 21, 2014

Zlata skirt sewalong: #15 Hem the skirt, method 2


Zlata skirt sewalong: #15 Hem the skirt, method 2

The second method for hemming a skirt can be applied to both circle and pencil skirts. This technique is appropriate for medium to thick fabrics that can show off some topstitching at the hemline on the right side, like linen, cotton, denim, corduroy, twill and similar.

Since I didn't manage to snap some photos of the process while making the skirt, I will show you the technique on fabric remnants.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #15 Hem the skirt, method 2

You will need a narrow band for this - it can be a satin band, or a bias band, lace, twill, etc. The band will cover the raw edge of the fabric and make the hemline really neat and pretty. If you're hemming a circle skirt, I advise you to use a band with 1 - 1.5 cm width, especially if it's not stretchy at all. If you're using a bias band it can be slightly wider, since it can mold to the curved line quite well.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #15 Hem the skirt, method 2

Lay the band with right side down to a working surface. Place the skirt over it, also with right side down. Pin the band to the skirt, making sure the skirt is slightly shifted down compared to the band, as shown on the picture.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #15 Hem the skirt, method 2

Flip the fabric so that the right side is faced up. Repin again, by moving pins one by one from the wrong side to the right side of the fabric. Make sure not to shift the band nor the skirt while repinning. Replacing the pins will enable easier sewing, since you'll stitch with the right side of the fabric up.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #15 Hem the skirt, method 2

Zlata skirt sewalong: #15 Hem the skirt, method 2

Sew the band to the skirt. Ideally, you should stitch right next to the edge of the band, but this is not mandatory - what matters is that the stitch goes through both layers of fabric.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #15 Hem the skirt, method 2

Fold the fabric up with wrong sides together, with the amount of fold being equal to the width of the hemline you'd like to have. The same stands here as for the previously described method - the hemline should be 2 - 2.5 cm wide for circle skirts. Press the fold line. You can pin the fold in place, by positioning the pins to be perpendicular to the hemline - this will stabilize the fabric and spread the excess fabric evenly along the hemline.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #15 Hem the skirt, method 2

Sew the hemline in place, by stitching next to the top edge of the band. Again - you don't have to sew at the very edge of the band, but sewing this way will make your hemline really neat and pretty.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #15 Hem the skirt, method 2

Zlata skirt sewalong: #15 Hem the skirt, method 2

Here's how the hemline looks on the skirt. You can see the stitching lines were not places next to the edges of the satin band, and the hemline isn't as neat as the one on the pics above.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #15 Hem the skirt, method 2

If you want to topstitch the pleat folds to keep their shape, now is the tome to do so. Try to sew at the fold of the fabric. Edgestitch all inner and outer folds of the pleats. You'll have a lot of work to do here, since there are 40 pleat folds on the skirt, but it's worth the effort as this will make the skirt much easier to maintain and press, especially after it's being washed.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #15 Hem the skirt, method 2

Zlata skirt sewalong: #15 Hem the skirt, method 2

Zlata skirt sewalong: #15 Hem the skirt, method 2


Zlata Sewalong - the posts

I'll show you on Monday the third method for hemming the skirt. This technique is appropriate for medium to heavy weight fabrics like suiting, tweed, boucle, and all other fabrics that you don't want to show off the topstitching.

Stay tuned!

How to buy the pattern


Stepalica: Zlata skirt pattern
Zlata skirt pattern costs $11.98,and it can be bought via my Etsy shop. 
I use 2Checkout as a payment collector - it is an equivalent to PayPal - which accepts the following payment methods:

* PayPal via 2checkout (www.2co.com)
* Credit / Debit cards via 2checkout : Visa, Dina Card, Master Card, American Express, Discover

PayPal doesn't support selling option for my country yet, so I use 2Checkout payment collector instead.







When making a purchase order, select "Other" in the payment options. I have to manually issue an invoice for you, via 2Checkout system. The invoice contains a link where you can complete the purchase - it's a page on 2Checkout's website. Once you fill in your billing information, you can chose to pay either by using PayPal account or your credit card. You don't have to register to 2checkout and you won't be charged any additional fees. It's simple, fast and secure. Once the payment is completed, I will enable the pattern download on my Etsy store. I monitor the state of my Etsy store several times a day, and I get instant emails whenever any change is made, so the purchase is usually completed within the same day. Sometimes, due to my daily duties and a time zone differences, it takes more than a day to complete the purchase.

For any additional information about the pattern or the purchase, feel free to email me at: anajan.stepalica [at] gmail [dot] com. 


Mar 20, 2014

Zlata skirt sewalong: #14 Hem the skirt, method 1


Zlata skirt sewalong: #14 Hem the skirt, method 1

The skirt is almost finished! We should hem it now, and as I promised, I'll show you three different techniques you can use depending on the type of fabric you used to make the skirt.

The first method I'll show you is appropriate for thin and lightweight fabrics like lining, viscose, cotton, linen. Also, it's appropriate for those skits that can show off some topstitching on the right side of the fabric. I used this method for hemming lining on all three skirts, and I used it for hemming the skirt B.

Circle and half circle skirts and skirts with curved hemline in general can be tricky since the fabric slips and doesn't fold evenly on curves. There's a simple solution to the problem though. I'll show you the technique on the lining, and you can use it on the skirt as well.

Make a stitch around the skirt's hemline, by stitching approximately 0.5 cm away from the bottom edge. The stitch will stabilize the fabric and it will provide a guide for the fabric folds.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #14 Hem the skirt, method 1

Fold the fabric with wrong sides together along the stitched line and press it.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #14 Hem the skirt, method 1

Fold the fabric once again towards the wrong side of it. This time, the amount of fold should be equal to the width of the hem your skirt should have. Press the edge.
When working with lining, I always fold it by 0.5 cm, since it does not require a wide hemline. When I was hemming the skirt, I folded the fabric by 2 - 2.5 cm. When using this technique, don't make too wide folds at the hemline because the bottom edge is always longer than the top one, and there's always an excess of fabric you've got to deal with. The narrower the fold is, the easier it will be for you to spread the excess fabric equally so that it doesn't show off.
I didn't use pins on the lining, but I did pin the hemline when I worked on the skirt. I placed them perpendicular to the hem line and pinned on every 5 cm. The pins kept the fabric in place and helped spread the excess fabric evenly along the hemline.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #14 Hem the skirt, method 1

Sew the hemline by stitching as close as possible to the top fold. Press the hemline once again.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #14 Hem the skirt, method 1

Zlata skirt sewalong: #14 Hem the skirt, method 1

While pressing the hemline the pleats must have lost their shape, so press them back in place.

Zlata skirt sewalong: #14 Hem the skirt, method 1


Zlata Sewalong - the posts

Tomorrow we'll cover another hemming technique, suitable for most of the fabrics that can show of some topstitching, like cotton, linen, denim, corduroy, twill etc.

Stay tuned!

How to buy the pattern


Stepalica: Zlata skirt pattern
Zlata skirt pattern costs $11.98,and it can be bought via my Etsy shop. 
I use 2Checkout as a payment collector - it is an equivalent to PayPal - which accepts the following payment methods:

* PayPal via 2checkout (www.2co.com)
* Credit / Debit cards via 2checkout : Visa, Dina Card, Master Card, American Express, Discover

PayPal doesn't support selling option for my country yet, so I use 2Checkout payment collector instead.







When making a purchase order, select "Other" in the payment options. I have to manually issue an invoice for you, via 2Checkout system. The invoice contains a link where you can complete the purchase - it's a page on 2Checkout's website. Once you fill in your billing information, you can chose to pay either by using PayPal account or your credit card. You don't have to register to 2checkout and you won't be charged any additional fees. It's simple, fast and secure. Once the payment is completed, I will enable the pattern download on my Etsy store. I monitor the state of my Etsy store several times a day, and I get instant emails whenever any change is made, so the purchase is usually completed within the same day. Sometimes, due to my daily duties and a time zone differences, it takes more than a day to complete the purchase.

For any additional information about the pattern or the purchase, feel free to email me at: anajan.stepalica [at] gmail [dot] com.