In this class you will learn how to hand sew this beautiful gathered skirt. You will learn how to measure yourself, how to choose, prepare and cut your fabric, and all the hand sewing techniques required to complete this simple yet stunning garment all by hand.

This skirt was inspired by historical folk dress and working dress. You only need to cut out rectangles, so it's easy to make and a zero waste garment! The skirt is completely constructed by hand so no need for heavy, expensive or hard to use machinery. Just a needle and thread and a cosy corner to work.

This class is suitable for total beginners, or those with previous sewing experience who would like to learn my folk hand sewing methods.

Learning how to hand sew connects you with your ancestors and how they used to make clothing. It is slow and meditative. Having a daily sewing practice can infuse your day with a slower pace and a mindful approach. This class is the perfect antidote to fast fashion which encourages you to buy buy buy and leaves you in a perpetual state of wanting.

When you spend hours making a garment by hand, it makes you really appreciate clothing production and you make something you will treasure forever.

Once you’ve learned the technique to hand sew a skirt, you can make it to fit any size, from a tiny baby to child to adult (plus sized included) This class is also the perfect foundation to learn more hand sewing from me, as this class is part of a series of classes on Skillshare where you can learn how to make other folk clothing and toys.

If you are looking to bring more stillness, satisfaction, patience and beauty into your life through the magical art of sewing, this class is for you.

What will you need
Fabric - I recommend watching the class on measuring and choosing fabric before you buying your fabric.
Needles -I use a small one like this for hand sewing and a slightly bigger one for gathering
Thread - A good quality thread in cotton makes your work much smoother. One in matching colour of the fabric, another in a contrasting colour for gathering. It’s also recommended that your gathering thread is a bit thicker/stronger so it doesn’t snap when you gather
Tape measure - For measuring yourself and your fabric
Fabric Marker - Tailors chalk or iron off pen. I personally love a heat erasable pen, then you can iron your marks off when you've finished sewing
Good scissors - Fabric scissors need to be sharp and the golden rule is only use your fabric scissors to cut fabric
Calculator - To do some basic maths for working out your rectangle sizes
Thimble - To protect your fingers whilst sewing
Beeswax - You can use beeswax to coat your thread so it doesn’t get tangled or stuck, but it’s not necessary
Notebook - Hand write your measurements, and draw your cutting plan, or use a notebook app on your device
Seam Ripper / Unpicker - To unpick mistakes

Varvara Sterkhova

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