The other day I decided to make myself a top, I chose a fairly straight forward pattern with a crossover drape across the front and some lightweight jersey from my stash. I cut it out and then tested a few stitches on my sewing machine, whatever I did it ate the fabric, I tried a flat zigzag, a stretch stitch, different sizes, I had a new jersey needle in the machine but the machine kept stopping ‘for safety reasons’, namely that it was eating the fabric! I tried the overlocker with no more success! In the end I abandoned it and made a skirt instead!!
I bought this length of denim a couple of years ago on Otley market, it has a band of embroidered flowers along one edge. It’s one of those lengths that after I’d bought it I began to have second thoughts, mainly because the embroidery is in quite bright colours, was it too much! I decide to try it…
I chose a pattern I picked up from the swap table at the Dewsbury Sewing meet-up, Newlook 6013, it’s just a straight skirt with a button front and a split at the back. I decided it would work in denim.
It went together really easily, I chose a snazzy sewing fabric for the inside pocket lining which adds like a secret splash of colour. I lowered the height of the split by about 4″ as I felt it would have barely covered my bottom! The pattern also only used six buttons, as you can see I used about nine as I wanted the slightly closer together and a lot further down! I still haven’t quite mastered the knack of remembering to turn the button the right way up before hammering the back in. I used the keyhole buttonhole stitch on my sewing machine and they’ve come out OK.
I made a straight size 14 and I’m pretty pleased with the fit, it’s comfortable to wear and most importantly the buttons stay done up! I was thinking if the embroidery looks a bit bright I could always wash it with a few dark blue towels, but now it’s made up I really like it, it doesn’t look as bright.
I still need to make some tops so I need to master jersey sometime soon!
thecraftycreek 
It looks fabulous and it doesn’t look too bright
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Nicely done, so cute!
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that’s a lovely skirt, and the embroidery looks great!
I’ve just done a second small project with jersey fabric and found loosening upper tension helped make things go more smoothly.
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I need another play I think!
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well, once you’ve recovered from the last jersey-eating episode, yup, I reckon you should give it another go
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Grand job with the skirt, Margaret – love it! Making the longer skirt version, with the plain denim above the embroidery, must have put it into proper perspective, reckon?
Oh, we love to hate jersey fabrics over here, too. Had you got a brand new sharp jersey or ball point needle? That, plus the tension thing previously mentioned, should help. And you can also try searching your model of sewing machine for the manual, which may have more help (if you don’t have it to hand. 😉). Oh, a sharp pair of those teeny cutting blades in your serger also might help. Good Luck! 🤞
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That is one cute skirt, Margaret! And I like the top that you are wearing with it, too!
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Thanks Laura, I made it a few years ago
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That’s a lovely skirt. The embroidery is a great splash of colour without being overwhelming 🙂
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The skirt looks great and fits perfectly. Love all the changes to the pattern too. I second Laura’s mention of the top; I like it too ~ Sharon
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Thanks Sharon, I made it a few years ago
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This is the perfect pattern for this fabric
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I really like that – it’s not overwhelming and it’s unique.
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Looks fab!
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great job! perfect for a border of lovely flowers in the spring! love the pansy top to go with it! Happy Sewing from Iowa
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I love the embroidery on that denim, and it is perfect for a denim skirt, just gives it a bit of specialness. I am going to do more knits this year too. Though I’ve done nothing with knit since I made the cardigan. I want to get a basic tank and sleeved pattern that I can use.
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Love that skirt! Maybe a lightweight stabilizer under the jersey material will help.
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The skirt, and its embroidery, looks great. The pansy fabric top is lovely too, and they look ewl together. Well done!
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Very nice – but I see why you made the split start longer down the back, surely that would have been a showstopper if you hadn’t 😮
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The pansy print top is perfect with the skirt! I love the embroidery around the hem of the skirt. Good luck with your next attempt with jersey.
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Oh my goodness that is amazing! I so admire your multiple crafting talents!
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Lovely skirt and a great combination with the top
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