Brown Satin Midi Skirt | McCalls 7631

 

I've been wanting the trendy bias-cut midi skirt for a while, but the clingy bias cut and thin fabrics made me skeptical. To get the look without the fuss, I decided to try my tried-and-true McCalls 7631 with a few edits: 

• I lengthened View C by 4 inches
• I closed the darts and rotated the volume into the skirt for more flare

This gave me a half-circle skirt with enough flare and drape to look like a bias-cut skirt! The dartless design also added to the illusion - plus it was so much faster to sew without the darts!

I started by sewing the side seams with French seams. Then I prepped the center back for a zipper by adding a strip of fusible interfacing, and finishing the edges with rayon binding. By a stroke of luck I had an invisible zipper in the perfect color and exact length - getting neutral sewing notions at estate sales and yard sales is a gift to your future self!

The waist facing was also interfaced and finished with rayon binding, then understitched and tacked at the side seams to keep it secure. After manyyyy wears, the waist facing on my previous McCalls 7631 skirt is a crumpled mess 😑

Not only was this a quick sew - the minimal design really lets this brown satin jacquard from Fabric Mart Fabrics shine. The more I sew, the more I realize how crucial the fabric/design pairing of a garment is!

For an impulse project -- I needed a quick win in between some more complex historical garments -- this skirt is a success that will be on rotation all season long. It is so comfy and versatile!

I felt so inspired that I whipped up two turtleneck sweaters (drafted off my favorite sweater) made from Walmart knit remnants. Hooray! Here's to tried-and-true patterns, easy pattern hacks, and wardrobe staples 😍