Olympia Skirt

We’ve done the woven patterns with knit fabrics (Ballad Blouse here) but what about the other way around – knit pattern, woven fabric? I did just that with the Love Notions Olympia Dress. Keep reading to find out how!

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The pattern

The Olympia Dress is a great knit dress with a shawl collar bodice. It has five sleeve lengths: sleeveless, short, elbow, 3/4 and long as well as two skirt lengths: knee and maxi.

This dress would look great for going into work – whenever that happens again. But also great for those Zoom conference calls.

It’s on sale today only for $5, yes, even during the sale (which today is the last day for)!

USE CODE BEE10 FOR AN EXTRA 10% OFF!

The FABRIC

I have had this satin grey fabric for probably 9 years or so. The plan was to make a nice neutral skirt to go with my work wardrobe. The right pattern didn’t show up so the fabric sat. Then just before my birthday in 2020, I got an idea to use the Olympia skirt as my skirt pattern and make a gift for myself. Since then, I have worn this skirt often, it is perfect for everyday activities with a kid.

The HACK

I have mentioned in my Ballad Blouse post that it is much harder to make knit patterns in woven fabric and I stand by this. ESPECIALLY when making things with sleeves and pants. Buuuuuut a skirt… you only really have to fit one area – and that area does not have to bend and move like limbs do. So here we go.

1. Pick your skirt size, based on measurements.
2. Adjust any vertical length necessary.
3. Add 1.25″ to all size seams and then cut.
   Note: Cut 2 mirrored back pieces NOT on the fold.
4. Measured the waist seam, you just cut (both back and front, minus the to figure out the waistband length. Then cut two rectangles 2″ tall.

How do I keep the skirt up? Elastic waistband and zipper in the back. I attached the elastic where the zipper seams are.

The width you add is there so you can adjust how loose or tight you want it. It’s better to cut larger and adjust to a smaller width than the other way around.

pockets

The original pockets are the normal side seam pockets. However, I wanted them to stay in place. I added height to the pocket and sewed the top into the waistband. This way it will never flop around. I have been changing all my pockets to be this way ever since!

The skirt fabric was too thick so I created a facing to help reduce bulk.

Hemming

Hemming can be done many different ways, and it mostly depends on the fabric you use and the look you want.

• Finish raw edge and turn up – easiest and probably fastest.
• Blind hem – great for clean lines
• Rolled hem – great for light weight fabrics.
• Hem facing – great for adding structure

Which one did I choose? Blind hem. I didn’t adjust my pattern for height, instead I took that extra length and turned it up for a nice wide hem that gave it more structure. And the blind hem helps to not distract from the shiny fabric. I did let the fabric hang for a night before straightening the hem. I used the same technique as my level a circle skirt video here.

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