Introducing…. <drum roll> … the first skirt I ever made – the Check Mate skirt.
This is a simple straight skirt, lined, with a back vent, lapped zip and waist facing. Sounds easy huh?
After looking at the photo, some of you may now be thinking, ‘Are you mad?? Checks?? For your first project??!’.
Seems I was mad. Little innocent me walks naively into my sewing class and showed my teacher my brand new fabric to make my groundbreaking first skirt. I think she had a little heart attack internally, but I didn’t sense it. How was I supposed to know that checks were tricky!? ;p
We plowed on though. She patiently worked with me to ensure the pattern went one way, and to match all the checks – which was a little easier given the large size of them. We ensured that the black column was down the centre front (more slimming that way), matched the centre back and did our best with the side seams.
I was pretty happy with the end result – what do you think? Have you worked with checks?
Oh, and ‘check mate’ checked fabric – I win!
Zxx
Nothing like chucking yourself in the deep end! Congratulations on your first skirt. It looks amazing. Gorgeous teamed with that little halter top. My recent battle with checks was a bit winged but it hasn’t put me off… I think its one of my favourite fabric designs. http://ooobop.com/2011/11/18/vintage-simplicity-3320-in-plaid/
Thank you so much for your kind comments! My first blog comment – very exciting! Funny, my ‘top’ is actually bathers I bought recently. They’re from Jets (http://www.jets.com.au/) – I couldn’t see mine on their site though. Your dress is gorgeous – I love the belt with it! The red binding looks great too! I also really like checks, but I haven’t come back to them yet… maybe soon.
Hi Zoe! Just stumbled across you on Burdastyle.
I really like the check fabric – but definitely gutsy for a first garment! But sometimes not knowing it will be hard makes it easier to do
Haha, yep I decided to take the plunge and join the sewing blogger world
) It’s fun! I agree, ignorance is bliss 
)
Hi Zoe! I love your new blog. We started blogging in the same week!! Thanks for linking to my blog.
Thanks Leith! My pleasure – love finding other Melbourne sewers! This blogging business is pretty fun hey
I think this skirt is adorable! I’ve just started learning to sew, and haven’t been brave enough to work in checks — or even stripes — yet.
Thanks so much Kelly! It was definitely easier having someone there to help, who knows what would have happened otherwise!
Damn thats a sexy outfit!!!! Classy and sexy! Woot woot!!!!
Love the skirt! x
Ooh thank you! I wore this skirt today
I like your skirt! I tend to do the same thing not realizing I chose a pattern knit to make a dress OMG! it was so hard to match the side seams!!!