In this week’s session, I focused on demonstrating different variations of the A-line skirt pattern and how fabric grain affects the final look. We explored straight grain, bias cut, and angled center front options, discussing how each impacts the drape and fit of the skirt. I also covered the importance of fabric choice and demonstrated how to properly cut and work with bias fabric for skirts.

Demonstration Steps:

1. Showed different A-line skirt variations using the same base pattern
2. Demonstrated how to find and cut fabric on the bias
3. Explained the effects of fabric grain on skirt drape and fit
4. Discussed fabric selection for different A-line skirt styles
5. Demonstrated how to adjust patterns for bias cutting

Questions & Answers:

• Q: How do you prevent stretching when working with bias-cut fabric?
• A: When handling bias-cut fabric, pat it down instead of brushing or pulling. Use longer stitch lengths (around size 3) when sewing to allow for some give in the fabric.

• Q: Would you recommend hanging a bias-cut skirt before stitching?
• A: With modern sewing techniques and careful handling, it’s not necessary to hang bias-cut fabric before stitching. Just be careful not to stretch the fabric while sewing and use appropriate stitch lengths.

• Q: How far off-grain can you cut a skirt front and still achieve a nice drape?
• A: For an A-line skirt with a slight flare, cutting the center front about 2-4 centimeters off-grain can create a nice subtle drape without being a full bias cut.

Next week, we’ll be using our A-line skirt block to create a new design together. I’ll ask you to choose a design from the skirt course I’ve been planning, and we’ll work on turning that into a pattern. Remember to bookmark your favorite demos on the website for easy reference later!