Dear readers,
A side slit changes a skirt completely. It introduces movement, a little ease, and that particular quality of a garment that gives just enough. The Devon Skirt already has beautiful drape and volume; side slits push that further and give it a more relaxed, modern feel.
This hack is done entirely at the pattern stage and requires only a few straightforward modifications before you cut your fabric.
Step 1
Mark a point on the skirt side seam 47 cm (18 1/2 in) up from the lower corner point.
Step 2
From the point marked in Step 1, measure 1 cm (3/8 in) down and 1 cm (3/8 in) to the left, and mark a new point.
Step 3
From the point marked in Step 2, draw a line parallel to the skirt side seam down to the hemline, and connect it to the hemline.
Step 4
Connect the points marked in Steps 1 and 2 with a smooth curved line. The pattern modification is now complete.
Construction
Before cutting your fabric, reinforce the slit area on each piece with a 2 cm (3/4 in) wide strip of fusible interfacing cut on the grain, applied from the point marked in Step 1 down to the hemline. Fusible stay tape of the same width works equally well.
Sew the skirt following the original instructions up to and including Step 6. Finish the side seam edges of the front and back skirt pieces separately using an overlocker or bias binding. If overlocking, stitch from the right side as shown in the construction diagrams.
Press the 1 cm (3/8 in) seam allowance created in Step 3 to the inside. Turn the 16 cm (6 1/4 in) hem allowance to the right side and stitch from the hem up to the top of the hem allowance, keeping the seam allowance pressed in place and sewing at 2.2 cm (7/8 in) from the side edge. Turn the piece right side out, shaping the corners carefully.
Stitch the side seams from the top down, stopping 2 cm (3/4 in) above the point marked in Step 1. Press the seams open. Topstitch along the upper fold of the hem to secure, then topstitch the slit sections at 2 mm (1/16 in) from the pressed edges, continuing down to the hem.
Finish the skirt following Steps 8 to 15 of the instructions.
Use #JPDevonSkirt to share your creation, and if you have a look you would love to hack, send it to delphine@just-patterns.com.
Happy hacking and happy sewing,
Delphine