Swingy. Classic. Feminine. Fast-to-sew.
What’s not to love about Style Arc’s Allison Skirt? I made this skirt up in a cotton/lycra knit I had in my stash. Double win! Used a pattern + fabric from my stash!
There are 2 inverted box pleats in the front and the back, so another bonus: easy dressing because there is no difference between the front and back side of the skirt!
I love this pattern, and plan to wear the heck out of my skirt. One skirt pattern piece, and 1 waistband piece. Even with the fiddly pleat stitching on a soft knit, this skirt is a definite fast-sew. It is swingy and comfortable, and the narrow waistband (about 1/2 inch finished) is comfy but doesn’t scream “big ole fatty elastic waistband for old people.” Yeah, I’m a little sensitive about that one. 😉
My one reservation is the weight of the fabric +Â the topstitching that secures the pleats in place. If you have not ever ordered Style Arc paper patterns from Australia, they include actual fabric swatches glued to their patterns, so you can tell exactly what fabrics they recommend. My fabric is a dead ringer for their sample swatch.
But. Those pleats. I feel like the weight of the pleat, stitched down to that pretty flimsy knit…..IÂ dunno. Seems like an opportunity for a big ole hole to develop, right?
I will definitely make this skirt again, but I plan to stabilize the WS of the skirt front and back with a fusible stay tape before adding the final topstitching. Since I did not have this wonderful foresight on version #1, at this point fusing a bit of stay tape at the ends of the “V” just *might* help prevent a disaster. I also might try a light-weight ponte, so the skirt has a bit more stability/structure. I am planning to make a track-style jacket out of ponte in the near future, so if I can remember I will experiment with the scraps to see how pleats will behave in that fabric. Too thin, too bulky, always looking for that “just right” fabric!
Cutest little photo-bomber ever, huh? She likes to get in on the action, plus see “Nana-made” garments up close. And talk about why she didn’t get a new outfit, too. 😉
This skirt will definitely become a basic in my wardrobe. I have about 10 tanks and  T’s that will go perfectly with this skirt, and plan to give it a test drive on my upcoming trip to Italy.
What about you? Have you ever sewn a Style Arc design? Have you tried the Allison skirt? What is on your sewing machine right now?
Happy sewing,
Maris