I finished my first attempt at the skirt pattern from Sew U: The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe:

I adjusted the outside curve from the waist to the hip so that the waist uses the medium pattern size, and the hip (down to the bottom hem) uses the small pattern size. This fixed the problem I had with the medium pattern where the back darts didn’t take in enough fabric, so I couldn’t get a clean line in the back. The remaining fit problem, which I will tackle in my next attempt, is that the waist feels too high for me. I’d like it to be at least an inch lower.

This fabric is heavy 100% cotton – almost denim or canvas weight. It has a brushed texture to it that lends a casual feel. Because the fabric is so heavy, I didn’t line it, and I didn’t bother with interfacing in the waist facing. I think the fabric is a little heavy for the length of the skirt – I might end up shortening it just above my knees. This is the default length of the pattern, with 3/4″ turned under for the hem.

The fabric and zipper came to $7.47, including tax. (Discount Fabrics rocks, if you have time and patience to dig around.) However, I bought one and a half yards of the fabric and used less than one, so I could probably make a second skirt from the remainder. It took about two hours to make, not including the time I spent sewing the two muslins to check the pattern adjustments.

My overall satisfaction with this pattern is high. I’m going to play with the waistline a bit more, and then I think I’ll be ready to try a dressier fabric.