Book Review : Skirt-A-Day Sewing

Skirt-A-Day Sewing : Create 28 Skirts For a Unique Look Everyday

By Nicole Smith

Jazz Age (High-Waisted), Pocket Change (Wrap), High Definition (Straight with Flared Hem), Double-Time Wrap,
Piece Gathering (Flared), Super Fly (Straight), Frill Seeker Wrap

Skirt-A-Day Sewing Book contains Wrap, Straight, Flared and High-Waisted Skirts Patterns and Variations in it. The instructions are very clear and are in detail. In total 32 Skirt Designs are there. This book does not include Pattern Sheets. It has Drafting and Sewing instructions for all the skirts.

Details of Hand Stitches, Different Seams, Seam Edge Finishing, Hem Finishing, Garment Closures like Buttons, Snaps and Zippers are explained with Pictures.

First Basic Skirt Sloper with Two Darts is Drafted. Test the Sloper with the Muslin and Adjust the Skirt if required as per instructions and Create the Final Paper Pattern. To Change the Pattern to One dart Pattern and Increase or Shorten the Length of Skirt Pattern is also given.

Using the Basic Skirt Pattern, Basic Wrap, Straight, Flared and High-waisted Skirts Patterns are created. And these Patterns are Used respectively to create the 7 Styles in each head. Sewing the Basic Wrap, Straight, Flared and High-waisted Skirts are also explained.

Wrap Skirts :

Wrap Skirts includes Basic Wrap Skirt with Gap in Waistband for the Ties, 

Other Patterns of Wrap Skirts are - 

1. Patch Pocket and Waistband with Different Fabric - Simple Design
2. Centre Front closure with Button and Flap Pockets - No Waistband Ties (Picture on Cover Page)
3. Inseam Pockets, Waistband Ties are ruched (gathered) as design and Applique is added to the Skirt (Picture below) 
4. Reversible Skirt with Scalloped Hem and Hook and Eye Closure (Picture on Cover Page)
5. Short Tulip Skirt with Snap Closure and Pockets
6. Tucks is created for Design element, Lining is used and Waistband with gap or slit is made on one side seam of the waistband for the waist  ties to slide through
7. Flounces are added on the Skirt with Snap Closure (Picture on Cover Page)

Front closure (2), Reversible Skirt (4) and Tulip Skirt (5) are the Best Designs in Wrap Skirt.

In  Skirt with Flounces (7) the Placement of the  Flounces in the design is not mentioned. 

Basic Wrap Skirt

Basic Wrap Skirt Sewing Instructions

Straight Skirts:

Straight Skirts includes Basic Straight Skirt with Two Darts, Back Slit and Zipper Closure,

Other Patterns of Straight Skirts are - 

1. Front Button Closure with Pockets
2. Knife Pleated Skirt
3. Godets (Triangular-shaped fabric inserts) of contrast fabric is inserted (Picture on Cover Page)
4. Design element is created with manipulating the Striped Fabric and Pockets are added (Picture below) 
5. Asymmetrical Darts on the Front and Elastic Waistband on the Back Side of the Skirt
6. Front Fly Zipper Closure, Pockets on the Back Side and Belt Loops on the Waistband (Picture on Cover Page)
7. Front Skirt Style with Pleats, Curvier Shape below the Hip Line to Hem and Yokes in Front and Back Sides with Side Zipper Closure (Picture below) 

The Knife Pleat Skirt (2) becomes the Flared Skirt and Godet Skirt (3) have Flared Hemline.

All the Straight Skirt Patterns are Good and Stylish.

Flared Skirts:

Flared Skirts includes Basic Flared Skirt with Zipper Closure,

Other Patterns of Flared Skirts are -

1. Gathered Skirt
2. Layered Skirt with Sheer Overlay and Longer Underlay (Picture below)
3. Panelled Skirt with Lining
4. Inverted Box Pleat Skirt
5. Design Element is created with Gathered Panels added on the Sides (Picture on Cover Page)
6. Bubble Hem Skirt (Picture below)
7. Panelled Skirt with Separate Pleat Extension added between the panels in the Pattern

Bubble Hem Skirt (6) is the Best Design in Flared Skirt though the fabric used is not that great, this Design can be Used to make the Bubble Dress.

Gathered Panels on the sides (5) is an Interesting  Design which was Best for the Printed Fabric  used in the Design.

High-Waisted Skirts:

High-Waisted Skirts includes Basic High-Waisted Skirt with Two Darts and Zipper Closure,

Other Patterns of High-Waisted Skirts are -

1. Trumpet Silhouette Skirt (Picture on Cover Page)
2. Sailor Style Yoke on the Front with Buttons and Side Zipper Closure (Picture below)
3. Panelled Skirt with Pockets as a part of the Panel
4. Button Closure with Pleats (Picture below)
5. Tucks with Exposed Zipper on the Front Pattern (Picture below)
6. Pleats on the Front with Inseam Pockets and Center-Back Zipper
7. Asymmetrical Opening with Exposed Zipper and Welt Pocket

Trumpet Silhouette Skirt (1) is the Best Design in High-Waisted Skirt. 

Both the Exposed Zipper Style is not that great - One is with tucks design (5) is pointless the dart is widened it looks like and  Asymmetrical Opening (7) also looks weird, only the Welt Pocket is good in it. 

Good Points:

• Drafting and Sewing Instructions are in Detail.
• The Variations with Pockets - the Drafting and its Sewing is explained with Step by Step Pictures Wherever Required. (Pocket Change, Spring Loaded Wrap, Strong Suit, Tough Luxe Skirt)
• Best Designs are the Straight Skirts and Few of Wrap Skirts.

Bad Points:

• Patterns are Knee Length or Short Length. Though in the beginning of the book detail is given to Increase the Length of the Skirt, the Design Style in This Book will Look Good in the Short or Knee Length Only.
• High-Waisted Skirt Designs are not that good.
• Fabric used in the designs are the best. But the Type of Fabric used is not mentioned, few you can recognize by the pictures or by the title of the pattern. 

Overall the Book is Great and is Useful to You If You Like Short Skirts and Knee Length Skirts. If You Like the Longer Skirts then Skip It. I liked the Step by Step Instructions with Pictures on the Required Designs. This Book is Good for Beginners also.

The Preview of this Book is in the Link Below:

Book Preview : Skirt-A-Day Sewing

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Book Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐