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Explore the sustainable world of slow fashion as you create a timeless hand-sewn skirt.

Creating well-designed and thoughtfully made goods isn't just a fashion trend, it's a growing movement that's quickly gaining momentum. Step inside the handmade world of slow fashion pioneer Natalie Chanin and learn to create a flattering swing skirt that's entirely sewn and embellished by hand. Follow along with Natalie as she reveals her signature techniques to layer and cut fabric, stencil designs, hand-stitch and more.

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1. Designing Your Skirt

Meet fashion pioneer Natalie Chanin and begin as she gives a brief overview of her sustainable, organic approach to sewing. Then she helps you choose the color, fabric and design for your project: a universally flattering swing skirt.

2. Pattern, Tools & Supplies

18m

Before you dive into stitching your skirt, Natalie shows you how to take key measurements, choose a pattern size, and even make simple adjustments in the length or width.

3. Threading, Stitching & Knotting

21m

Take a look at what Natalie calls the "physics of sewing" to make your skirt both strong and beautiful. After that, tackle the basic running stitch as you practice on different fabric swatches.

4. Cutting Out the Pattern Pieces

10m

Now, prepare your organic cotton jersey fabric and get ready to cut out the pattern. Natalie demonstrates how to find the grain line, place the pattern pieces on the fabric, trace around them, and cut the top layer. You'll then use your cut-out pieces to trace and cut the second layer.

5. Stenciling the Fabric

23m

Start embellishing your skirt by stenciling a design on the top-layer pieces. Find out how to make a stencil using the included artwork, then apply the design by inking it with a permanent marker, stenciling with fabric paint and a sponge or brush, or stenciling with an airbrush.

6. Reverse Applique & Negative Reverse Applique

21m

Natalie shares her methods for layering, smoothing and pinning the skirt layers. Watch as she demonstrates two popular embellishment techniques, reverse appliqué and negative reverse appliqué, to create the richly stitched and textured panels.

7. Constructing the Skirt

18m

Once the panels are completely embellished, it's time to start constructing your skirt! See how to join the skirt panels with strong hand-stitched seams and a quarter-inch seam allowance.

8. Completing the Skirt

16m

Complete your skirt by adding a simple fold-over elastic waistband, then secure it with a stretch stitch. Natalie shares tips for finishing and caring for your skirt.

9. Customizing Options

24m

After you finish your swing skirt, see how to customize it with patch pockets or piping. Finally, Natalie shares examples of some more advanced embellishment techniques, such as bead embroidery. Your journey to a slow fashion wardrobe is just beginning!

Extended Details

SeriesSwing Skirt Techniques & Construction: From The School of Making

Closed CaptionsEnglish

Artists

Natalie ChaninActor

Swing Skirt Techniques & Construction: From The School of Making - Season 1

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