Your Skirt, Your Way

Design and sew your own gorgeous, unique skirts, with no need for shop-bought patterns.

Start by creating your own block and toile using just four body measurements. Then select your skirt shape, add the fittings, fastenings and details you want, and put the whole thing together with ease.

With clear step-by-step photography and easy-to-follow instructions, Jenniffer Taylor (of The Great British Sewing Bee) will show you how to mix and match the design elements you really want to make your perfect garment; choose from A-line, flared, gathered, pencil and pleated shapes, and from pockets, zips, buttons and yokes.

The book contains 10 inspiring skirt options to get you started... but it’s your skirt, your way, so fill your wardrobe with an array of gorgeous skirts that fit you perfectly and suit your style!

Book Contents

Introduction 6
How to use this book 8
Getting started 12
Basic sewing kit 12
Dressmaking essentials 15
Drafting tools 16
Fabricology 18
Your body, your block 22
What is a block? 24
What is a toile? 24
What details should I include? 25
Taking your own measurements 26
How to draw out your own block 28
Making a toile and checking the fit 32

Creating your skirt 37
Skirt shapes 38
Basic skirt 40
Pencil skirt 41
A-line skirt 42
Flared skirt 43
Boxpleated skirts 44
Gathered skirts 48

Fastenings & fixtures 52
Traditional waistband 54
Wrapped waistband 56
Facing 58
Zip fastenings 60
Button placket 64

Details & finishings 66
Patch pockets 68
Inseam pocket 70
Yoke 72
Yoke pocket 74
Back vent 78
Hems 80

Putting your skirt together 84
Skirt recipes 88
Monroe 88
Brodie 92
Pattie 96
Cecelia 100
Bobbie 104
Kate 108
Joni 112
Judy 116
Jasmine 120
Grace 124