Pattern-Making and Sewing

     To create a paper pattern of the bow front skirt from the taken measurements is not a difficult task if guidelines are followed accordingly. First step is to lay a big sheet of white poster paper on the working table together with a pencil, pencil eraser, straight ruler, French ruler, and an awl. Second, it is necessary to calculate and draw a waist measurement. For the circular-type skirt, waist is calculated through the use of the circle circumference formula – C (waist measurement plus seams allowance and ease) = 2r*3.14. When r (radius) is calculated, r needs to be measured from both sides of the corner of the pattern paper to get the waist line points of the bow front skirt. Waist line points must be connected with the curved line, representing the waist, with 90 degrees angles at the sides. It is important to have 90 degrees angles at the sides of each line for the ease of connecting the skirt’s sides during sewing.
     Third, the full skirt’s length must be extended from both sides of the waist and connect on the bottom with the curved line – the hem. It is important to have the skirt symmetrical vertically for the purpose of this design. Measurements are ready.
Belt pattern looks like a long rectangular box with the width of about two or three inches, including seam allowances, and the length of the waist measurements with seam allowances.
     As soon as patterns are ready, one can begin sewing. The pattern needs to be cut out of the sheet and secured on the desired fabric (Dupont silk in this case). With the air erasable pen, the designer can mark the pattern on the fabric and then cut the fabric. When the cut is made, the designer should treat the side seams with zigzag stitch or serger stitch to prevent the fabric from fraying. Then, two sides can be united and sewn together with the simple straight stitch.
     To sew the belt to the skirt, belt’s front side should be joined with pins and then sewn to the skirt’s back side of the fabric. Next, the belt must be turned over and sewn to the front side of the waist. The rubber band should be placed inside the belt by means of the safety pin.
     To create a bow, the lace needs to be cut in two pieces and each folded in the center. These two folded pieces in their turn must be sewn together in the middle perpendicular to each other, forming a little cross. The bow then needs to be hand sewn to the skirt.
     The last step is to finish the hem. It can be done easily by folding the hem’s edge twice, holding it with pins, and then sewing over the pins. As soon as the skirt is completed it should be pressed or washed and pressed, if needed.

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