The spotty skirt

I have a thing about spots. And stripes. But at the moment it's spots! I
think they are lovely for summer.

As soon as I saw Gertie's tutorial for her full gathered skirt I knew I
wanted it to be in navy with white spots.

I really enjoyed making this one. Gertie's directions are really clear and
the pictures really helped. I also learnt a few new techniques with this
make. I had done some traditional gathering using the bobbin thread on some
of the clothes I made for N but Gertie suggested a different way using a
crochet thread and zig zag stitch, as per the tutorial here. It was really
easy and I think given the volume of gathers in this skirt, it was much
easier.

I also inserted my first invisible zip, which I found much easier than
expected! The random lump of plastic that was the invisible zipper foot I
had went on easily and did the job perfectly! I used this method to insert
it and I'm very pleased with the result (altho it doesn't actually pull up
past the bottom of the waistband so a hook and eye is needed). Not sure
what I did wrong, but perhaps I needed to move the zip out slightly at the
joining of waistband and skirt?

As the actual sewing was so simple, I though I'd give it a little twist
with a bound and handstitched hem. Note to self: when comtemplating a
handstitched hem, think about the circumference of the skirt first! But I
really love the flash of red and the deep hem. Looks fab with red shoes!

.