The "Rosie/I am a complete idiot" Ginger skirt

Well as you may remember, I was feeling pretty cocky when I planned the Ginger skirt. I am not a complete beginner, I have made plenty of stuff from patterns, and this is just an A-line skirt, and one with excellent instructions to boot. Clearly this was going to be easy...

Well they say pride comes become before a fall, and this skirt has definitely proved that true. And it wasn't because it was hard. But because I repeatedly proved myself an idiot. This skirt proved that a) I cant measure, b) I cant install invisible zips well, c) I cant read, and d) I cant hem. But apart from that....! I do really like it though, now that I have managed to get past my own stupidity!

Firstly, I measured myself, got the usual measurements, cut out my pieces etc, and when I tried on the basted version, entirely failed to notice that the thing was too big in the waist. 2 inches too big. This skirt fits on the upper waist, or is meant to. Had I made in and inch bigger it probably would have worked lower down, but I had managed to make it just the wrong size. Of course as I didn't notice this at the time, I went on to sew all the facings, lace, piping etc on before I noticed. At which point I had to take a chunk out of each side, as if it were a ready to wear I had refashioned. Urgh.

Secondly, after reading various online zip tutorials, I finally got my head round invisible zips. It still took me 4 attempts and still isn't very good. But its wearable, and the sides match, and hence its an improvement on every previous invisible I have attempted!

Thirdly, after battling repeatedly with the zip, I had to put the waistband facing on. The pattern has excellent instructions for this. Which are super clear. Except that I didn't read them properly. so I ended up sewing down the wrong bit and having my zip sewed inside the seam. Consequently, after unpicking and stuff, the top of zip is not as shiny and neat as it could be!

Also, I did the hem in a hurry and it is not fantastic.

Apart from these "minor" niggles. I like it a lot, it's a lovely skirt and a lovely pattern. I also used it as my first attempt at embellishment (just in time for the Sew Weekly challenge!) and added piping (which I didn't put in in the easiest way (as I gathered after reading Sunni's guide) but which worked fairly well for a first attempt!) and some lace (it's actually some kid of crocheted thing, but its very pretty).

So all in all, I would highly recommend this pattern, and will probably make another, just this time I will actually read the instructions!

It is a little see through though, so I get a chance to wear my handmade slip!