Long Skirts - Review Simplicity 1782 and Vogue 8241

I really do love the silhouette a long skirt can create. They are great for wearing in summer, they look casual with flats, and are comfortable in the heat, practical and easy to wear to the beach or pool, add heels and accessories and they can turn into elegant evening wear. 

I made this skirt, pictured above, using the Simplicity easy-to-sew pattern 1782. I like the wide waistband, which sits below the natural waistline. and the gathers are at the front and back and not on the sides of the skirt, which is more flattering for my shape. It does up with a side zip, I used a concealed zipper. The printed polyester fabric came from John Lewis. The fabric is thin, ideally I would have lined it but realised this once it was complete so I wear it with a nude petticoat underneath, I didn't include the split either, there is enough fabric in the skirt to be able to walk comfortably.

This pattern is really easy to sew and highly recommended. I would make it again.

This maxi skirt (above) was an adjustment to a dress I previously made, but wasn't entirely happy with. It was created using Vogue pattern 8241 (below) however the top did not fit very well and wasn't flattering on me. I may attempt this pattern again but I would make adjustments to the top - possibly fitting it around the torso rather than having it loose...

When making the dress into a skirt I decided to use the waistband pattern from Simplicity 1782 and attach the skirt adjusting the gathers to fit. The skirt from Vogue pattern 8241 is not as full as the Simplicity pattern and has a split at the back, I think the amount of gather is ideal to show off the large scale flower print which would have been lost if it were more tightly gathered. The dress pattern included lining which improved the drape and wearability. The polyester print fabric was from John Lewis. I now need to make or find a top to go with it.

This chiffon skirt was created for use in the summer, however it could be used as a winter garment when worn with, tights, boots and a warm knit on top or cropped jacket. I made it, again, using the waistband pattern from Simplicity 1782, using stretch, satin cotton off cuts and the skirt was made from black polyester chiffon with polyester lining underneath. I used the pattern v8241 as a guide to the width of the fabric for skirt and lining.