Simplicity 1322 Review

During her last visit, my sister endured fabric shopping with me. We found a large remnant that she liked and I promised to make her a skirt. A couple months later I had a chance to visit her in Geneva, Switzerland. I had to make a skirt partly because of my promise, and partly because I wanted to take blog pictures in Geneva, rather than our sprawling suburbia. :) 



My sister requested a simple pencil skit to wear to the office. I went through my pattern stash and realized that I didn't have any on hand. I had a few nice ones in Burda Style magazine, but it meant I had to trace the patterns. Of course, I could have easily purchased one on line, but that meant printing and taping and cutting before I could start sewing and I only had a day to finish it. My other choice was to go to Jo Ann's. So while I was pondering all my choices, I came across Simplicity 1322 in my stash. It's a wrap style skirt that's sort of like a pencil skirt. All I had to do was take the pattern out of the envelope and cut. Took me exactly 5 minutes, talking about instant gratification. lol



I found the fit of the skirt to be great! I cut the size according to my measurements, and didn't really have to make any adjustments as far as fit. I did adjust the waistband just a bit, I am not as curvy as the pattern piece wanted me to be, ha! I simply sewed with a bit more narrow seam allowances towards to top of the waistband. The skirt comes together really fast! 

There is one big issue with the pattern. It's a wrap skirt, with two front pieces overlapping. It looked all business while I stood still, but as soon as I made a step, whoa, I was almost completely exposed. And there was absolutely no sitting down in it for fear of showing the underpants to the whole world. It was simply not wearable that way. The skirt has two length options, and I made a longer one. I can't even imagine what happens if you make it shorter. To remedy the problem, I tried to sew it shut, along the front seam. It didnt' really look good. I unpicked, and hand stitched two pieces together. I used the blind stitch along the front seam. That worked great! The best part you can't see the stitching. 


The photo shoot was funny. My sister was taking pictures of me, and I felt quite silly. The reactions we got were pretty priceless - a few winks, a few smiles, a few compliments. 

Here is the close up. 

And the back. I am happy with the pattern overall and plan to make more skirts. There is also a maxi skirt option that looks really promising. 

10 comments

  1. Wow, you supermodel! No wonder you got a few winks. Here's another one ;) But seriously, it's such a pretty skirt and you look great in it. I'm guessing your sister loved it, too.

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  2. You are gorgeous! I have also tried sewing wrap dresses shut but wasn't happy with the results. I should learn to hand stitch better. Lovely pictures and a great skirt!

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  3. Wow, I can't believe they thought it would be wearable without being stitched together??!! Definitely a right call from you to do that! I know it's not for you but it certainly looks like a perfect fit for you too. Looove the Geneva photos too! More of those please haha.

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  4. It's really cute, but I can totally see how dangerous it would be if you had not sewn it together in front!

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  5. Aw you are adorable! I love these photos for much, beautiful Olga! You are a star! And the skirt is awesome!

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  6. yes, the comments indeed were funny, my favourite being "Bella, Bella!" from a passing-by group of Italians :) I love the skirt a lot, it has a nice fit and I have won it several times to the office (with a non-glittering top, though :)) SPASIBO, sestrichka

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  7. The skirt looks lovely, but what on earth was simplicity thinking drafting a pattern like that? Nice save.

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  8. Bella indeed :D The skirt looks great! Good you worked out how to save it! Can't imagine anyone wearing it the way it was designed!

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  9. this skirt looks amazing on you! I can not imagine it simply being a wrap skirt though!

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  10. I meant to comment here for a while! so here we go! these photos are just so great! that skirt is perfet on you ! you look like a cinema star!

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