Button-front straight skirt

McCall 5330

Skirt A has front button closure, topstitched waistband and carriers. Pattern suggests Cotton Blends, Poplin, Gabardine, Lightweight Linen, Damask, Denim.

I like the styling of the button-front straight skirts (pencil skirts?) I’ve seen around lately. The bonus is this skirt hem. It hits at the perfect spot so no need to take it up.

I only wish they would specify whether or not to use stretch fabric. I’m sure it is a matter of having more experience to make that call, but still, it would help me out. I cut a size 18 because my denim had no stretch and hoped for the best.

I followed EricaB’s lead and tried my hand at jeans style top stitching (er, that would be I outright copied her… but I’m grateful for the inspiration as this pattern doesn’t go into such details!) I doubled up on the fancy shiny thread and really like the outcome, including the buttonholes which look so sturdy and professionally sewn. I’m so proud that I did these buttonholes! (I have a teensy fear of this task… buttonholes are evil)

I also used slightly larger buttons. The pattern calls for 3/4″ buttons but I couldn’t find any I liked. So, I settled for 7/8″ silver buttons with some kind of patina and respaced the buttonholes so the bottom button was high up the skirt.

I think I will try this again in a size 16 using stretch black sateen for a dressier look and to see if and how the sizing/fabric combo makes a difference. I think this is a versatile skirt style and have no trouble finding tops to wear with it. A new TNT for me!