Lottie skirt – Atelier Jupe

This lovely skirt is a fairly straightforward make. There was some confusion over seam allowances in the instructions, but the rest were clear to follow, and I’m so pleased with the end result.

It looks like originally there were no seam allowances marked, as the instructions include where to add them, but the printed pattern now clearly has seam allowances included as an additional line for each size. When cutting the back piece I think you still need to add the seam allowance at the bottom of the pattern piece, where it will join to the ruffle section. This confused me as I found the front and back pieces I’d cut out were different lengths, but going back to the paper pattern it looked like the way the pattern views are combined for the back piece just left this lower seam allowance still to be added for the Lottie skirt view.

I used a soft viscose, and the drape really suits the ruffle hem. I lengthened the main skirt pieces by two inches because I am five feet nine inches tall, and this gave me a full maxi skirt with the ruffle section starting just below the knee. I didn’t add the pockets, and used French seams at the sides instead for a smooth finish inside. I think gathering and attaching the ruffle section took me the longest of all the steps, but that was partly because I had to compensate for missing the seam allowance on the back section. In the end I started tacking the pieces at matching seams before I stitched them together, so the fabric didn’t move around despite my pins. It was really worth it on the waistband. I was glad to have the hem done early on in the process, with the waistband being the last step. I used a 25mm elastic I already had, which seemed to be fine in place of the 30mm listed. The elastic waist pulls on comfortably over the hips, and I like the amount of gathers at the back.

I am so pleased with the finished skirt – it has turned out as I’d hoped it would. I think a viscose fabric is a good choice for this pattern view in particular, as it gives such a nice shape to the ruffle at the bottom. I hope you enjoy making this pattern too!