Lila+June Wrap Skirt (with pockets!)

Last October, I made myself a spider web costume using the Lila+June free wrap skirt pattern. I loved the skirt so much that I decided I needed a non Halloween version in my closet.

I originally thought I'd make this second version out of a plain fabric so that it could be a very versatile piece in my wardrobe. But when I rediscovered this vintage fabric in my stash, it was just begging to be a wrap skirt. The vintage look of the fabric pattern fits the vintage feel I get from this skirt pattern. And the stiff hand of the fabric gives a little more umph to the skirt than my first version.

So I have a bad habit of picking out fabrics for a pattern and paying absolutely no attention to the amount of fabric the pattern actually calls for. If it looks like it would be enough fabric, I figure I'll make it work somehow. And it honestly usually works out!

This skirt calls for 6 panels. The four you would normally expect for the front and back right and left, and then two more for overlapping when you wrap it around. Well....I didn't actually have enough fabric for that. So I eliminated one of the overlapping panels. I figured it would be just fine in terms of coverage, and I was right.

I also didn't have enough fabric to create one entire waistband. So I ended up piecing several strips together. And even then, it wasn't as long as the recommended waistband. But that is also due to the fact that I used up some of the fabric to make.....pockets!

OK so I was super excited about adding these pockets. But it turns out that pockets in a full circle skirt are not actually that convenient. They are kind of hard to find in all that fabric. And since it's a wrap skirt, and can very easily be put on not quite centered, this leads to more confusion and sometimes slightly awkward pocket positioning.

Sometimes I can't find where the pockets are...

Sometimes the pockets aren't quite even on either side...

But, in the end I'm still glad I put them in, because that meant I had a chance to learn how to do an inseam pocket with all the seams frenched!

I knew it was possible to do, but I couldn't quite wrap my head around how to do it. So I did some googling, and found this helpful tutorial on Sew Mama Sew. Honestly, even with a tutorial, I still had trouble visualizing how everything would fit together. But I just followed along step by step and my pockets turned out great! There is something so immensely satisfying about not being able to see any raw edges anywhere on this skirt.

It may look nice and springy in some of my pictures, but in reality it was absolutely freezing. And snowing.

The Rundown

Pattern: Lila+June wrap circle skirt, free.
Fabric: vintage fabric (may have once been a curtain?), free, from my stash. I've had it for so long that I don't even remember or where I got it.
Size: 14
Alterations: No left side overlap, pieced waistband, added inseam pockets.
Details: Everything is finished with French seams!
​Next Time: Skip the pockets, make it in a basic color, and be sure that I have enough fabric for long enough waist ties before I decide to get fancy.