Reed Skirt Sew-Along: Gathering Supplies
Today in the Reed Sew-Along we're going to be talking about all the supplies you'll need to make your own skirt! I like to do a post like this for each of our sew-alongs, even though a lot of the time the supplies you'll need are very similar. I personally hate getting halfway through a project and finding I don't have what I need to compete the project and I'm sure a lot of you are the same way.
1. Reed Skirt Pattern: You can purchase the Reed Skirt pattern as a printed pattern or PDF here.
2. Fabric: We've got a quartet of cute fabrics picked out for our Reed skirts, but you’re on the fence about what to use for your top, check out our prior post about fabric choices.
3. Fusible Interfacing: You’ll want either a woven or tricot fusible interfacing in approximately the same weight as the fabric you’re using. Avoid bonded interfacings as they lack the drape necessary to produce a professional looking garment you’ll want to wear.
4. Thread: I prefer to use standard poly thread for my garments. I like poly because I pre-treat my fabrics and I know that poly won’t shrink when laundered, keeping my seams nice and neat. Try to use high quality thread as it’s kinder to your machine. If you're going to be doing the topstitching as written in the pattern we recommend grabbing two spools of your chosen color!
5. Marking Chalk: You’ll need chalk or your favorite removable marking pen to both trace out your pattern as well as trace your quilting lines onto your pattern. This is my favorite chalk tracing pen, but use whatever works for you!
6. Pins: Whatever pins you usually use will be just fine for this as long as they correspond with your fabric choice. For example if you’re using silk or rayon, you might want to opt for extra-fine satin pins as they’re a bit slimmer than dressmaker’s pins. If you’re into to cute pins, these Clover Glass Head Pins are our new favorites around the studio. They’re so fine and sharp!
7. Regular Machine Foot: I love my 1/4″ foot (which BERNINA calls the Patchwork Foot) because of the accuracy it provides but I recommend using whatever you’re used to. You may also want an edgestitching foot which looks like this for all the understitching.
8. Scissors: I’m not much of a rotary person, but the scissors I find most useful for almost every project I make are my Gingher bent handle shears, embroidery scissors, and thread snips. I couldn’t sew without them.
9. Rulers: You’ll need a tape measure to take your measurements as well as lay out your pattern pieces for cutting. We also like to have an 18″ gridded ruler handy as well as a seam gauge for pressing up your hems.
10. Ham & Sleeve Roll: I highly recommend having these on hand for your pressing. The Hadley is a simple top so any wacky pressing will really show up! I have this ham and sleeve roll by Dritz.
11. Buttons: If you're making either of views A or B you'll need 8 – 5/8" buttons. We used jeans buttons for one of our skirts and regular buttons for another. The choice is up to you!
12. Zipper: For views C and D you'll need a 12" invisible zipper in a color that matches your skirt. While it is invisible the pull will show!
13. Hook and Eye: You'll also need a hook and eye for views C and D and will make sure that the very top of the skirt, above the zipper pull, is closed tight.
So that’s about it for supplies, next up we’ll talk about sizing. If you have any supply questions just let us know in the comments below!
