Kyoto Skirt!

Woo hoo! The Kyoto Skirt is done!
This skirt is not only fun to wear, it's actually fun to make, too! I finished it up on Thursday morning and wore it to work that day! I enjoyed having it on all day!

I just love the curved yoke seam, and the godet in the back is what makes this skirt. It's so unusual, and yet I think it's one of my favorite wardrobe pieces now.

You can see that I chose to go with the black/blue/green "kiwi" print for my bias trim. Check out my topstitching- 5 rows above and below the yoke seam and around the godet!

I chose to leave off the waist toggles. I used a continous strip of elastic at the waist and it's anchored by the outermost rows of topstitching at the center back. I considered leaving off the pockets completely, but after pinning one on just to check, I decided I like them a lot and added them on. I did not do the bellows pockets, however- mine are simple patch pockets. I wish they weren't so plain and if I make this again (and I very well may) I might add a pleat or something to spice them up.

The pockets and flaps are lined with the same print fabric I used for the bias.

I used a standard zipper and serged all the raw edges to keep the inside neat. The pattern recommends stabilizing the areas that are to be topstitched with interfacing. It does help keep the topstitching smooth and nice, but the inside is not very attractive:

But who is going to see the inside but me, right? (Well... and anyone who reads this blog!)

This is my very first HotPattern and I have to say, I am very pleased. I made the size 16 (chosen by my hip measurement) and it fit just right- not adjustments at all. The instructions were good, although they do seem to assume a little bit of sewing experience. The pattern pieces are printed on nice, heavy paper, all sizes in one envelope. I traced my pattern. I wanted to keep the pattern sheet intact in case I want to use a different size later on.

The fit is awesome. I love that the skirt sits at my natural waist! Some people have commented that it seems silly to have an elastic waist and a zipper, but I quite like it! The elastic waist is extremely comfortable, especially since my waistline seems to fluctuate from day to day, and sometimes even from hour to hour. And it's not a full waist at all. The gathers are minimal, making the zipper neccessary to get the skirt over my hips.

I would love to make this again! I highly recommend the videos at the HotPatterns website if you want to see how this pattern can be used to make several completely different skirts. I'd like to try dressing up the pockets or even tucking the pocket flaps into the yoke seam. I've got to find just the right fabric to make it again!

Well, my May Burda magazine arrived today, so I'm off to drool over the dresses in it. Stay tuned for a new outfit for the Princess. And who knows what I'll make for myself next!