I tried making a vintage skirt from Pinterest

[@CatsCostumery]

Ah so sorry you guys, I keep calling the top bits hexagons but as you guys rightly pointed out, they don’t have six sides! 🙈

[@elizalagonia1049]

It's okay. I was trying to remember the name of 5 sided shape and not call it a pentagram. I only know the name of the shape because I put shapes, colors, and counting video on all the time. Every time you said the shape I heard the circle, triangle, and square singing "Let's count the sides."

[@evelyn_r]

@@elizalagonia1049 lol it’s a pentagon but you reminded me of the shapes in Mr Maker bouncing and dancing around! 😂

[@Dunadi]

But we still got very clear visuals and a detailed process, so it's not like you are intentionally misleading anyone. And I do think hexagon rolls off the tongue more easily.

[@marthabenner6528]

They're called pentagons, like The Pentagon or pentagonal.

[@teardrops2m]

Translated the original from Russian apparently the hexagons AC & BD (or AD & BC depending on your labeling direction) are supposed to be half the length of the small square. Hope that helps who ever else makes one.

[@michellecornum5856]

Thank you for this! That is an incredibly useful piece of information!!

[@Ella-iv1fk]

I couldn't get my head round this as the diagram is such poor resolution so I tried to find the original to try and make sense of it, helpfully some people on reddit have gone through the process and translated the Russian as well - in case anyone else needs more help: www.reddit.com/r/sewing/comments/g2il98/interesting_nearzerowaste_russian_circle_skirt/

[@connorsmith9244]

You call your body "weirdly shaped," but what I learned previously is that a 10 inch difference between bust/hip measurement (which "should" be the same) and your waist measurement, is considered the "ideal" hourglass figure for a woman. You'd think a pattern would be more likely to accommodate that body shape. Thanks for sharing a project that was such a journey, it's always good to see the trials and the errors.

[@evahicks5733]

From what I’ve found that is not the case even in store bought clothes. I end up either making all my clothes or severely altering store bought clothes, because nothing ever fits right. The difference between my waist and hips is 13 inches. Even the “curvy” jeans (that aren’t a euphemism for bigger lady) sometimes are loose in the waist and tight in the hips!

[@lizcademy4809]

Most store bought clothing (at least in the 2000s) is made for a waist to hip difference of 7-8 inches (less than 20cm). When I was younger I had a 13" difference, but skirts had a lot of flare then. Now, I'm older and my waist is thicker, I only have a 10" difference. But store bought skirts are straight, and *none* fit. If I can get them on my hips, the waist is huge! Fortunately I can sew, and (most) skirts are not difficult.

[@rachelmumford5025]

I always love a video that starts with "I tried"

[@susanrobertson984]

Always good to see examples of the projects that did not go according to plan. I think it came out fine. I figure if I am 80% or higher satisfied with a make then it is a win because store bought clothes rarely get above a 70% happy rating!

[@beckysbeautifulmess]

Yes! I always say “good enough, is perfect!” for sewing projects 😆

[@ViolentAurora]

Gonna have to agree hard. Aside from sweatshirts and other comfy clothing, I'm always shocked when something fits really nicely.

[@emilysmith2784]

Such a good way to look at it.

[@cosplaypatternco4904]

I believe the issue you ran into with the center front and center back warping so severely is because you cut the square slashes on grain. You can see it at 2:50, you cut on grain versus the bias in the diagram. I believe this would explain away the severe warping you encountered at center front and center back. I suggest anyone going to try this to make mock up just a small portion of the circle skirt with the slashes cut out, and the pentagonal yoke, and so that as a short mock-up. Something long enough to go from your waist to an inch or two past the first part of your hips. If stretching on the bias cut slits is an issue I suggest stay stitching them before you cut them.

[@TorchwoodPandP]

That could also work as a steadying lining.

[@nelrondeau7572]

Yes the center cut should be on the bias

[@mabrurahmed3304]

i wanted to make it as soon as i saw it on pinterest, but like cat, i also have a very large waist to hip difference. so not everything meant for high waist fit me well. thats why i was a bit scared to tackle this project. but this video halped me know the possible problems i can run into, so im very grateful. Thank you Cat! and it looks really cute!

[@Murky_Heron]

Judging by the number of people in comments who tried or are going to try sewing this skirt, we could start a new hashtag) #pentagonalyokehell or something similar 😆

[@lilianmiramontesjr.7550]

Im down to make this skirt JUST for that hashtag

[@KissMyFrog42]

Cardigans for the win! Cute, comfortable, and capable of hiding all kinds of fitting issues.

[@katerrinah5442]

I've never clicked on a video so fast. This skirt has haunted me for years but I couldnt figure it out. It makes more sense now, thanks for taking on the struggle for us!

[@hazeluzzell]

Top marks for honesty and perseverance!

[@evelyn_r]

The thing is, darts shouldn’t go in the centre front, if anything, you do it mid way from the center point and the side seams. Helps keep the centre flat.

[@Fantastikitty]

That was my first thought as well. The minute she said "dart," I screamed "NOT IN THE CENTER FRONT!"

[@agimagi2158]

I really admire how you kept going on with the skirt! I surely would have burnt it in a rage attack (or just thrown it into a corner, hiding myself in another one crying)! It was absolutely worth it, it would have been so sad to waste that nice fabric!

[@cassievanbrunt7791]

@ Cat's Costumery, I think I figured it out, if you didn't. They didnt tell you the bias points should be 2 front and 2 back instead of front, back and 2 sides. The skirt would have hung much better.

[@planningtolive_thebestlife453]

I’m curious what you mean here. I think you’re talking about the pentagons? But I’m not sure what you mean.

[@planningtolive_thebestlife453]

Note: curious because this is cute and it’d be cool if I could make it😄

[@cassievanbrunt7791]

@@planningtolive_thebestlife453 the bias points are indeed where the skirt fabric SHOULD meet the pentagons, where the skirt stretches at true bias. Cat had them center front, back and sides. It's why there was pooching in unattractive places.

[@lynn858]

Edit: Was confused and talking crap. Never mind. ;)

[@a.k.v.3042]

Cat: Pockets you say, but didn't you just sew up the side seams? twice Cat? Me: I see myself in this statement and I don't like it (sooooooo relatable).

[@audreysavard3248]

I love the vlog aspect. I learn a lot from your errors. To see your path of thinking help too. It's a troubleshooting video!

[@gerileemakes]

Back in 2007 I bought a skirt like this. I know the specific year because I got it to wear for high school graduation pictures. I loved it for its swish-ability and the detail of the points. It was made of brown polyester lining and floral chiffon I think. It ended up tearing along one of the points :(

[@martinad.1932]

I've been eyeing that diagram for a long time and seeing you make it gave me the confidence boost to give it a go! If it goes bad I'll just use it as a petticoat...or a rag for cleaning windows XD

[@soffialv2209]

I'm thinking, when it comes to the pentagons, there is a lot more math/geometry involved than the diagram shows... For instance the top bit should probably be 1/4 of your waist, and the height perhaps should be the measurement from your waist to your hips.. Please if you try it let me know, I'm curious to see if it is as mathy as I'm thinking!

[@ArgentAtelier]

When I first saw this diagram I thought it was a high waisted skirt with a highly structured upper bit.

[@infamoussphere7228]

yeah I feel like this would actually look really cool and nice if the pentagons were on grain and maybe even interfaced. The fact that everything's on the bias means you can't really get anything sitting nice and straight, which for a geometric design, ends up with a grim result!

[@HoneyBear36]

This is so helpful honestly.. I hate flat waistbands and am always in the look out for shaped waistbands or yokes but the patterns that had them usually seem to be out of print and next to impossible to find 🤦🏼‍♀️ I am far for confident in my sewing and haven’t tried fitting yet so something g like this intimidates the heck out of me! It’s almost like click bate on Pinterest when they don’t have any instruction or direction with things like that

[@JezabelleAsa]

Yes... yes, I did... Yeah, I felt that

[@annelewis7531]

Thank you for showing your struggles with your shirt. I'm taking up clothes sewing for the first time in many, many years. You have given me the confidence to face the challenge of sewing for a very different body shape than the one I used to have. Also thanks for using many of the techniques I remember form so long ago.

[@scafleet]

"Didn't you already sew up the side seams? Twice?" I grok you, girl.

[@seamsuneven7824]

Good on you for forging ahead WELL DONE! 👏🏾👏🏾

[@blueocean43]

I just made this skirt! What I discovered was that a circle isn't wide enough for my hips, and so it pulled weirdly just like yours did. This time I just added in some gores as I was very short on fabric, but if I make it again I will cut four semi-circles (so its double width), rather than one full circle. The pentagon waistband worked really well though, ill use it again.

[@mevditt3453]

I tried this one out 2? years ago and still love is after sorting out the same problems you had love yours too😊

[@deniseyoung3738]

What perseverance!

[@l.c.8475]

Everyone has projects like these where they made a crucial mistake at the beginnig, thanks for persevering and showing it to us, it's motiviating to see that I'm not the only one and that these projects can be finished and turned into a beautiful result

[@CottageTales]

Great that you persisted, it looks so cute!

[@whatjoaniecreates]

Omg!!! The invisible zipper!! I’ve been wondering forever how to put one in effectively as mine always fail! I’m going to use your method from now on, so clever!

[@infamoussphere7228]

the best way to put in an invisible zipper is to buy an invisible zipper foot. They don't typically come with the machine. I have a plastic foot that cost about $5 that clips onto a metal attachment shank specific to my model of machine - and it's saved me so many headaches. They do all the work for you! (They are not, however, historically accurate - for that, look up "lapped zipper")

[@mjlSews]

I'm so impressed with how you managed to make this work, and persevere even when it didn't go well. Figuring out the exact shape of the hexagons (pentagons?) first seems to be key to get a good result. It looks pretty on the diagram, but every body is different, and I guess a simple mathematical shape won't work for everyone.

[@evelyn_r]

Next time make a mock up, not of the actual skirt, but the upper portion to your individual shape and size, allowing for modifications. Still came out nice and I hope it’s comfortable!

[@eljanjo]

This feels like a documentary about every time I try to sew something except in this you actually persevere and finish the job! It’s reassuring to see it’s not just me struggling 😫

[@dianagreene4257]

I've seen this one, but now that I know (approximately) what it looks like on a real person, I'll have to check my fabric stash! (I have *at least* a 10" difference between waist and hips, so thank you for the heads up!)

[@doitwithgrace3850]

Did she mention a fix for that 10” difference?? I didn’t catch it but I wanna make the skirt lol

[@CatsCostumery]

I didn't mention a fix, sorry! What I meant is that because of the difference, the pentagons look shorter than the ones on the diagram - I got to head stuck on making the shape look like the diagram that I made them all too big so make sure the sides look even when that didn't work for my measurements :)

[@cheerful_something_something]

Looks fine by the end! I've seen the diagram before and have considered it in my to-do lists.... I'll learn from your experience and do a fair bit of mocking up and maths before hand!

[@peshgirl]

I've been mulling over this skirt pattern for more than a year! So nice to see it on a body. Thank you!

[@ninjinlovesyouyeah39]

I actually tried that pattern last week, and I totally screwed up. I shoved the result in a corner and dont think i'll ever attempt that again But it's nice to see that it works afterall :D but I won't try to fix mine, because the biggest problem was definitely my choice of fabric 😅

[@lacyminoux9177]

Yeah my version of this is in the corner, thinking about what it did....for the last 6 months...

[@StephanieCanada]

Oh nice! I saw a big Reddit thread on this but was too nervous to make it. I am glad you did though! Should help out if I ever get the nerves to make this one myself. Also, I LOVE your Jack pants and Stitch slippers and phone case.

[@doitwithgrace3850]

Omg what sub?? I wanna read it

[@julieheath6335]

Thank you soo much for making this. I've been in love with the pattern for ages, but haven't been confident enough to prioritize it. In the end, it all turned out well. The skirt drapes nicely and you'll enjoy wearing it.

[@anastasiamaliuha5481]

You're so brave and persistent! Skirts can be mortal foes, I also have one vintage pattern that drives me crazy, I feel your struggle. You still won and that's what matters.

[@chinesecabbagefarmer]

Thank you for posting even your failures, this looks pretty good! :)

[@chinesecabbagefarmer]

thank u for liking my commebt Cat

[@Feelicitasy]

Ooh, I love it! and with the fitted yoke, it's not like the skirt is super revealing when you twirl which I hate moste about circle skirts! This might be an alternative, though I have a very similar bodyshape (and actually measurements lol) to yours. This will definitely be helpful. Stay safe

[@shylarosethevintagelittleg590]

So excited to watch the video!

[@HeartPlant]

I think what’s happened is that your fabric is quite loosely woven and has therefore stretched a lot on the bias. You may also need to do a swayback adjustment to get it to sit nicely over your derrière. Well done for persevering! I really enjoyed seeing your process.

[@jolynnwhite7946]

The pattern concept is lovely just working out a few design elements is all love the hexagon element. 🧕🏿🥰👌🏾👍

[@evestone5361]

I Love your adventure sewing. I myself cannot see from patterns, just get the basic shape and wing it. Your body shape is quite similar to mine so you're not alone. Keep on exploring and doing what you love😸

[@heidibock1017]

I've had that diagram in my pinterest since 2014 and it's great to see it made up. I am so sorry for all the suffering, though, and am appreciative to see the finished product!

[@Diniecita]

Im going to have a go at this sometime this fall/winter. I keep think I will make videos but I never have time. Thanks for all the translation help.

[@ncalgal4699]

Worth a try, yours turned out great!

[@meamela9820]

Yes I have seen it on pinterest, but thought it would be too hard to get the dimensions right. I suppose I was not entirely wrong. But it was helpul to see you try it, now I understand that diagram a little bit better.

[@nicolemariefashion1]

Ohh Iv sent that design on the Pinterest to and have wanted to try it!

[@rachelunderwood4868]

Love it! So twirly...

[@WhisperedMoon]

Great job completing it! It turned out great! :)

[@sewhoneybea]

Very nice skirt. I have seen this pattern picture. You've inspired me to give it a go. 👗✂️❤️

[@canucknancy4257]

Quite the process. It ended up looking lovely, though. Thanks for sharing your trials and tribulations. Take care.

[@charlottegury1243]

Lovely video!!! (Where do all the beautiful songs come from?)

[@Berriesofafeather1122]

I love your videos!!!

[@prtky]

Just do the bias again. Sometimes we just have to get some courage and undo all the previous work. Been there sooo many times. Still am. Oh... and the ziper in bias should have something stabilizing all that fabric.

[@gloriac.266]

I've seen this diagram before on r/sewing but couldnt wrap my head around the dimensions! Could you provide written instructions for this diagram?

[@CatsCostumery]

I can try to write it up, yes!

[@MommyOfZoeAndLiam]

So it seems like the way to go about making this in the future would possibly be to start with your waist measurement and make the base of your pentagon 1/4 your waist measurement (which I believe you did) and then make the sides of the hexagon the length of the measurement from waist to hip on your side (or the point you wish the flair to start) and then the tops need to be the length of the triangle wedge flaps and make a 90 degree angle on the top. The biggest issue with the math is probably figuring out the angle to make the bottom side corners of the hexagon. If the idea is that they lay flat on you you could take the hip measurement and divide by 4 and then that would need to be the width of the pentagon across the widest point so basically center that length above the length of the base at the height equal to the length from your waist to hip and it would tell you where to put the corners and then put the top on since you know the size already based on the flaps?

[@LostdollLostLife]

Omg lol yeah I’ve been making this skirt and I messed up my measurements somehow on my draft for the waist.

[@LostdollLostLife]

Please note I also made mine 5x more complicated as I added 2 linings for the Cotton Flannel I bought 1 for structure since I wanted the skirt to be slightly stiffer. Additionally, I had cut the circle into forths and the two side panels into half again. so I have a six-piece Skirt. I still need to finish and set the closure for the skirt. I had a majorly similar issue with the math for the pentagons and had 10 inches total increase to my waist I had to drop the top line of my waist down by 2 inches and created darts on the back two panels as I had added pockets to the side seams as well. To fix the pouching which I also got, I adjusted that center line angle as well as the corner angle of the skirt panel so that it would lay flat without the previous pouching. My skirt has no waist-band which I am personally still debating the intelligence of.

[@fabioferreiragomes]

.......ESPETACULAR.....MARAVILHOSA......INCRÍVEL........

[@marthabenner6528]

Thank you for making this video, I have been trying to decide what style of roomy mid calf skirt I was going to make, then I saw this and made a mock-up of it, it's absolutely gorgeous and I'm making three of them. And to think I almost made a 1930s tennis skirt. Making the mock-up was a fun adventure in ridiculous mistakes, but after I figure it out it was remarkably easy. Also my previous suggestion of raising the waistline and lowering the darts was not a very good one. I would recommend raising the waist 2 inches or 5 centimeters not 2 inches 10 centimeters, and not lowering bottom point, however with some experimenting I discovered putting one angle in the front and two on the sides had a slimming effect. However if your pentagon is too high it can draw more attention to your belly rather than the desired effect of it being completely unnoticeable. And by your belly I meant my belly.

[@leventdhiver]

These are the sort of maths that hurt but my brain still want to battle with 😂. I know the diagram, I wanted to try it but now that I saw how it went for you I believe I would face it differently to wath I originally planned. I would muck up the pentagons till I'm really happy with them, maybe even using the final fabric, then measuring the triangular parts cut the square. For the skirt muck up maybe a super short version of the skirt would help me understand where to cut the square (bias or grain). Thanks for sharing your process, It is helping a lot of us!

[@conniemurdoch8528]

One way you can avoid that weird stretching that happens at the zipper is to iron a 1” wide strip of fusible knit interfacing (I like fusi-knit) in the zipper seam allowance. You want the stretch of the fusible interfacing going side to side and the non stretch going top to bottom. Now don’t ask me what the Historical equivalent that would be... but wait, this is a modern skirt not a historical one. In any contemporary garments I routinely fuse the knit interfacing to my zipper allowance for all zippers. It’s easier to do it all the time rather than to put in a zipper and having to remove it and reinsert it after putting in the interfacing. You never know for sure what fabrics will distort with the zipper so I am a belt and suspenders girl and cover all the bases. I learned this after having so many invisible zipper failures.

[@Dunadi]

Oh, I had my eye on this for such a longtime. But the mathematical sorcery scared me away. But... are you sure those panels are not pentagons?

[@canucknancy4257]

She had pentagon written on the paper.

[@CatsCostumery]

So typical of me to write down the right word and then proceed to repeat the wrong word several times 🤦‍♀️

[@Dunadi]

@@CatsCostumery It can happen to anyone. At this point I am theorizing... maybe this pattern would work better with hexagons (a more balanced way of distributing the difference between hip and waist measurments. Maybe????)

[@megankuchta9145]

In order for the base of the pentagon to be at the waist, and the flare to start at the hip, it will be helpful to pattern this backwards, for lack of a better word. You are limited because you are working with a circle inscribed in a square. The radius of the circle will determine how much space is left to work with. Because it is cut from a square, the bottom tip of the pentagon must be 90 degrees. If you determine the correct height of the pentagon, then you can calculate the radius of the circle, and the size of fabric square you will need. 1. Calculate a triangle where capital A=45 lower case c=1/4 hip and and capital B=45 www.triangle-calculator.com This will tell you the length of the slits at the waist and the sides of the pentagon extending from the corners of the square. 2. Add h(c) and the height from your waist to your hips. This will give you the total height of the pentagon. 3. Divide by .41421 to find the radius of the circle. 4. Multiply by 2 to find the width of your square. Disclaimer: I haven’t made a mock up, so this is strictly theoretical. Also if you are shorter with a larger waist and hips, this may not work. I am 5’2” with a 29” inseam, 33” waist, 40” hips and 7” from waist down to hip. This yields a radius of 29”, so approximately an ankle length skirt, but for disproportionately long legs.

[@marthahawkinson-michau9611]

I once crocheted a basket that was *supposed* to have a hexagon base. I ended up with a very beautiful bushel basket. And the best eight-sides hexagon I’ve ever seen.

[@marthabenner6528]

It's nice, very cute has lots of potential. If you're goingo make it again it could be very flattering, I would suggest raising the waistline by about 4" inches that's 10.16 centimeters, and have the circle skirt attached to the gores? panels? being lower on your hips by 2" to 4" inches that's 5.08 to 10.16 centimeters. And I know it's too late, but if you had turned those darts into two pleats an equal distance apart on your back or maybe two pleats in the front or both it would have probably come out nicely, say about right over top of the bottom point, or even where are you originally put the darts. And if you stitch down the pleats from your waist your hips it's smooths out the tummy. And they don't need to be tight just flat. I would recommend watching on KZbin "how to make a vintage tennis skirt" by vintage thirsty

[@meankatrina]

I've seen that Russian graphic tons of times and I've been so curious to know what the completed project would look like. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@ebunni5862]

way to finish the skirt!! I have done so many half finished projects because when it started fighting I gave up xD I also have a large hip to waist ratio so I feel your pain

[@jessicaraine8403]

I despised flat felling pockets. French seams were infinitely easier!

[@infamoussphere7228]

the great thing about french seams is that they're a really neat seam finish and they're ALSO really quick. I always french seam my pocket bags. The one problem with them is that they're annoying to unpick if you're still working out the fit of the garment - but for pockets it's totally fine

[@brandielee7971]

Love your sewing machine. I have a vintage Kenmore ❤️

[@JenInOz]

May I recommend looking at mccalls 6993? The skirt has a similar looking yoke.

[@emilysmith2784]

I have never been so glad I watched a KZbin video in my life. I just pinned this pattern on Pinterest yesterday hoping to buy fabric for it this weekend. I shall now avoid like the plague!!

[@InThisEssayIWill...]

Heeeeey! I've saved that pin on Pinterest too! Lol at least I know to be very careful if I ever actually attempt to make it!

[@aprildriesslein5034]

I sympathize! I am short waisted with a large hip to waist ratio, and I don't know if I've ever found a yoked skirt that was flattering.

[@laniinla2354]

This video goes great with my coffee!

[@Berriesofafeather1122]

Same. Except I drink tea haha

[@carolinaperdomo7112]

I would say the fabric does a lot of weird things at the hip area, actually, because of the way the "waist" area was cut when the circle skirt part was cut. If you just cut the square diagonals and then insert the pentagons in there, it will make it so that you have much more "space" on top than that shape would naturally have, that is why the fitting is weird, the fabric makes weird things and the fall of the skirt also looks very different from a normal circle skirt. Can you understand what I'm trying to say? (English is not my first language, sorry if it is confusing) What do you guys think?

[@annas2912]

The front and back are supposed to be on the straight of grain, with the slashed points cut on the bias. That would also have helped keep things smooth. Interesting pattern, and thanks for the video!

[@lionmane1856]

I've been looking for a tutorial for this!!!

[@threadsandpurrs]

What did you end up with for the pentagon height relative to your measurements? Is the overall length from tip to waist equal to the distance between your waist and hip? I would like to make something similar eventually.

[@CatsCostumery]

It is! I'm not sure why I didn't just make that the measurement for the start, I think I got stuck in my head on the idea of making the pentagon look like the one on the diagram

[@threadsandpurrs]

@@CatsCostumery that makes sense. Thanks for letting me know.

[@christineguest5317]

I really enjoyed the video, persistence! What is the url of the diagram? Neither Pinterest nor Google images are helping me today, I must have my account tuned to knitting not sewing.

[@theneedlehat]

This is from Reddit, where I found it: www.reddit.com/r/sewing/comments/g2il98/interesting_nearzerowaste_russian_circle_skirt/

[@christineguest5317]

@@theneedlehat I was so intrigued by this pattern, and charmed by your video, that I pulled out some plaid flannel I inherited from my Great Aunt. My daughter saw me staring at the diagram, and asked if the skirt could be for her, which was a good idea because the flannel was only 40'' wide, and she is a tiny 12 year old. I figured that the cutting diagram meant 1/4 hip circumference in the box that isn't cut (because I could see that the left over triangles were the same in the finished skirt illustration) Lining up the right angle on the bottom of the pentagon to be the same length of the cut edges of the center slits, I figured that the central height of the pentagon must be the hip to waist length, and the upper curved edge must be 1/4 of the waist. I made a muslin just for the pentagons and got my girl to hold still briefly, after assuring her there were no live pins, and it fit well in the stiff muslin whatever I used fabric. I set the pentagons into the slits by first sewing a stay and pressing it open. I alined the corners by putting a pin through the stitching lines of the pentagon, then through the open space in the cut slits through their stays. To close up the pentagons, I matched the plaids carefully, then folded the skirt away and sewed (I wasn't even trying to add pockets, because my daughter wears her skirts over jeans, she hates tights.) And my pentagons had a droop along their vertical seams! I used the muslin as a facing, then pulled the side seams up over the facing and trimmed it. I'm just giving it an elastic casing (because this is a dress up skirt to be worn over jeans), so we'll see how it works! Thanks again for the intriguing sewing puzzle!

[@BeQueerMakeStuff]

Hell yes. :D I love how you persevered. :)

[@agargoyle12345]

I wonder if the wrinkle and bulge issue couldn't be partly from fabric? Like maybe a stretchier fabric, like wool, might have helped with that.

[@renjiai]

There's something wrong with the geometry. The top point of the skirt insert and yoke are both right angles But the vertical yoke seams are angled while the skirt portion can only be straight. This will create a point that stands out from the body. Either the top points of the skirt have to be a wider angle or where the yoke joins has to be a narrower angle in order for the skirt to drape correctly.

[@cassiehall479]

Could I suggest that instead of taking the measurements from the offcuts in the square take them front your waist and distribute them as needed, also keep the top of the yoke curved as this will help allow for a dramatic difference between waist and hip

[@lynn858]

I love it when mysteries are explained! The version of this image I saw has the x lines inside the square continue through the circle of the skirt body. Which, understandably now, confused the heck out of me. I made a mock up out of tissue paper and tape to wrap my head around how the pieces fit together - with the skirt cut in 4 panels, and the square removed. I managed to put it together, but each ‘seam’ where the skirt panels met, with the angled piece inserted (square removed, so pulling the top of the skirt panel at a more dramatic angle)... The skirt when looked at from the bottom hem looks like a 4 petal flower. Seriously weird shape. I was sure I had something wrong, and tried a few things, but birthed if the things that I actually had wrong occurred to me. Fortunately all I was out was tape, tissue paper, and 2 hours of my life. Between this, and the Reddit translation, the mystery is now solved! Or at least solved enough that making a fabric mock-up would now be a reasonable endeavour.

[@loopysr]

Maybe I misunderstood the pattern when I was looking at it a couple years ago, but it seemed to work out for my paper test?? I cut the paper pattern out, like in 8.5” x 11” paper printout, and I just cut the centre square out - not slashed. The pentagon wedges fit into that fine. Are you sure it’s supposed to “X” slashed?

[@nataliestanchevski4628]

I'm very sorry but I laughed really hard at the pocket part. If it makes you feel better know that I sewed pockets into a walking skirt at about knee height.

[@ClayCraftCoffee]

Ive seen that skirt a few times and have always wanted to try it but if it gave Cat problems, im not certain I would survive it

[@sophieinspired]

i feel for you xD I too thought a skirt would be such an easy project haha.. my weird paper pattern I produced said nope haha, we havent talked to each other yet since xD but you give me hope

[@RedhairedBallerina]

So, I went digging for this pattern and found a reddit thread with the directions translated in the comments (here: www.reddit.com/r/sewing/comments/g2il98/interesting_nearzerowaste_russian_circle_skirt/ ) :) I always want to make projects like these, but never actually wear skirts :D

[@rauha38]

The math nerd in me: ....pentagons 🥺

[@saritshull3909]

Same I ♥️ geometry

[@alaskacosplay]

Hello!! Forgive me for pointing an error and I dont mean any criticism at all but the “hexagons” are actually pentagons. Its got 5 sides since hexagons have six. I love the skirt so much!!!

[@koitsenka]

every time i've seen a similar skirt, the points of the pentagons line up to the front, back , and sides, not off-set.

[@katecapek3116]

What model is your Singer, please?

[@CatsCostumery]

185k!

[@labdian]

2:14 you’re saying you have to mark a fourth of your hip circumference which you say is 48 centimetres. Surely that’s a mistake, isn’t it? It would mean your hips are two metres wide. Or did I miss something?

[@CatsCostumery]

Ah yes, well pointed out, I read the wrong measurement! It's actually 28 cms 🤦‍♀️

[@clavdivscaesar]

PENTAGONS

[@angellover02171]

I think where you went wrong was not making a mock up first.

[@rekamer92]

Soooooo I'm getting a sewing machine in a few days... Thus my bust-waist-hip ratio and their differences converge to zero, I think this might be the engeneeringly messed up pattern from Hell that actually might fits me and my shape? 🤔

[@seamseams]

You say that you would need a quarter of the hip measurement for the pentagons and that yours is 48cm. But you don't look like you would have a hip circumference of 192cm.... perhaps that could be the mistake?

[@CatsCostumery]

I read out the wrong measurement for the video, but the one in my notebook was right! I used 28 cms for the pattern :)

[@seamseams]

@@CatsCostumery Ah, that makes more sense 😄 I didn't pay enough attention to your notes. The dress looks so lovely and I might try it, but maybe with some instruction and insight from my teacher (I'm studying to become a dressmaker)