My Gwen skirt, model from La Maison Victor - May/June 2021

The combination of the first rays of sunshine and the arrival of the new Maison Victor issue made me want to sew a little skirt for spring/summer.

Also, after having my eyes on the pretty poplins in the shop, I couldn't resist dipping into the stock!

So here is my two-tone version of the Gwen skirt and my impressions of this model.

The model in a few words

The Gwen skirt is a short wrap skirt. It reaches mid-thigh. It has a high waist and pretty loops to slip a belt through. This combination highlights the waist. It has a light ruffle that gives it a little summery look.

Where to find the pattern?

The pattern is available in the May/June issue of Maison Victor. You will find it in bookstores or on the brand's website for 9.95 euros (for 14 models featured in the magazine).

Be careful, like all Maison Victor patterns, seam allowances will need to be added.

Who is the pattern for?

The model is to be sewn in a woven fabric like a light cotton, a poplin, a satin cotton,... It is a material accessible even to beginners.

The pattern is rated level 2 out of 4 by the magazine. I think it is accessible for a "resourceful" beginner and certainly for the intermediate level.

Regarding sizes, the pattern is available from size 30 to 48, so from 66cm to 94.5 cm waist circumference. I find it quite roomy, I sewed a size 34 and I am very comfortable in it.

In the seamstress's basket

To sew the Gwen skirt, you will need:

woven fabric like poplin, satin cotton, ... or two fabrics if you want to contrast the ruffle. Maison Victor's recommendation is 1.35m to 1.75m depending on your size.
matching thread
some fusible interfacing (for the facings)
some bias tape (if you want to finish the facing with a bias binding)
your sewing machine and basic equipment and possibly a serger

Sewing steps and points of attention

The technical points of this pattern are:

the sewing of the back darts
the small rolled hem of the ruffle
the sewing of the ruffle to the skirt in a curve (you need to evenly distribute the volume and respect the markings)
the assembly of the facing (dead stitch)
the creation of the belt loops and their placement
the placement of the snap buttons which you can replace with buttons or hooks.

I recommend making the overlocks with the serger for a cleaner finish inside the skirt.

For the facing, I chose to finish it with bias tape. I chose a navy blue bias tape available in the haberdashery to match the patterns of my floral poplin.

For the ruffle, I chose to make a rolled hem with the serger. It makes it lighter than a hem or a seam.