Pimp-My-Pencil-Skirt Sew-Along: the Schedule

What acronym would you use for the Sew-along, readers? I tried shortening the name but PMPSSA sounds scary - just try to pronounce it. And saying Pencil Skirt Sew-Along just doesn't reflect the beauty of our inspiration garment, or? On the other hand, I wish it was the only problem in my life :) Back to business!

THE BADGE

What's a sew-along without a badge? Recognize this one? I used it in my Gadgetmania posts and for me, beeswax stands for the old-school craftsmanship, 'slow' sewing, quality and transfer of knowledge.

To post the badge on your blog grab the html code below:

<br /> <a href="http://frabjous-fashion.blogspot.com/p/sew.html"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Cgpu4Qv8e8/UKHspNyZfiI/AAAAAAAACKc/YANi6FbNZ8w/s1600/beeswaxweb.jpg"/></a> <br />

THE FLICKR GROUP

And, we will be using is a Flickr Group, so we can post work-in-progress images and support each other.

THE SCHEDULE

So, here is the schedule. I broke it into sections, so you have a tangible result after accomplishing each section. Depending on the amount of work, in a week we may cover a section or, sometimes, even more. One post per bullet is the plan, so the drafting is manageable and easy to follow. The first official Draft & Sew Along post will be up this Friday, November 16th.

GETTING READY

I will show you the tools and supplies I use for drafting, but also explain alternatives. We will also cover measurements and plug our measurement in a personalized measurement chart. Finally, since we all seem share the love for flounces, we will start putting together an inspiration files, with clippings from magazines or internet. 

• Drafting explained, and available pattern choices;
• Tools and Supplies; 
• Measurements;
• Inspirations clippings.

STRAIGHT SKIRT SLOPER

When drafted this sloper can be an invaluable fitting and pattern adjustment tool for a whole range of skirt designs - eliminating tedious project-by-project alterations. 

• Drafting the basic Straight Skirt Sloper (Back and Front), 
• Trial garment and Fit

STRAIGHT TO PENCIL SKIRT | CUSTOMIZING THE DESIGN

These post will walk you through creating a custom pattern: changing the shape of the skirt, adding princess lines, and adding the vent. I will also share couple of couture techniques to make the skirt hang better. 

• Making adjustments for the Pencil Skirt shape; 
• Drafting the vent; 
• Adding princess lines;

THE FLOUNCE / FINAL TRIAL GARMENT

A flounce can be drafted in different ways, it can have more or less flare, its length can vary or be uniform, folds can be added to the flounce. The choice can affect the design and make it look dramatic or boring. We will draft the flounce and make the final trial garment, finishing this step with the final fitting.

• Not all types of flounces are equal: the amount of flare, length variations
• Calculating the flounce base length and adding flounce lines on the sloper;
• Drafting the flounce;
• Making the final trial garment;
• Final adjustments (if needed). 

THE FINAL PATTERN

This one is a quickie - it is really only cleaning up and preparing everything for a trouble-free sewing. If you are one of the participants who can't wait to sew up the skirt, after this step you should have the pattern all ready. 

• Cleaning up and truing the pattern pieces
• Finalizing the pattern pieces for cutting
• Calculating fabric

Once the pattern is drafted we will plan the sewing. I believe we should be done drafting beginning of December. Please ask questions if anything is unclear - I am putting together a Q&A post and answer your questions there. I hope you will all enjoy the process and end up with at least a great pencil skirt pattern!