Hello again! It’s Nastasia here for our first post of the Veronika Sewalong. The Veronika pattern is a circle skirt with a gorgeous twirl! And it’s been offered so generously to us all for FREE for simply signing up to the Megan Nielsen newsletter!
I’ll be taking you through View A with the wide waistband and pockets. This skirt comes together quickly and can be adapted for any occasion. I chose a fancy brocade fabric for a dressier look, but any woven fabric will work well.
Today we will be constructing the pockets and seams. So let’s get started!
First, cut out all of the pieces from the pattern. For View A you’ll need both front and back skirt pieces, two pockets and pocket linings, and two waistband pieces (one is the waistband facing). You’ll also need a piece of interfacing the size of your waistband.
Note: To reduce bulk in the pockets you may choose a lighter lining fabric as I have done.
Let’s construct the pockets!
Put the pocket pieces right sides together with the pocket linings. Pin or clip.
Sew 1/4” (6mm) from the raw edge around the pocket edge and pocket opening. Do not sew the pocket where it will be sewn into the waistband or side seams of the skirt. Clip and notch or use pinking shears to trim the raw edges around the curves. This will allow the pocket curves to be nice and smooth when turned right side out.
Here is our pocket, ready to turn right side out.
Turn the pockets right side out through the openings. Press them into shape. Topstitch 1/4“ (6mm) from the sewn edge along the pocket opening.
Here are the finished pocket pieces.
Next place the pockets on top of your skirt front. Right sides should be facing out. Clip or pin. Sew the pocket to the skirt by sewing 1/4” (6mm) from the sewn edge around the outside of the pocket. Note: This is the red line in the photo above.
Stay stitch the pocket along the waistline and side seam (where the red clips are in the photo above).
Here is our pocket attached to the skirt.
Now attach the other pocket to the other front skirt side in the same manner.
Note: Sew along the outside curve as noted by the red line in the photo above.
We now have our front skirt piece with both pockets attached.
Now onto the skirt side seam. Place the back skirt on top of the front skirt, right sides together. Pin/clip and sew using a 5/8” (1.5cm) seam allowance. This is for the right skirt side seam only, do not repeat for the left skirt side seam.
Neaten the raw edges of the seam allowance. You may zig-zag stitch or serge the raw edges. Press the seam open or to the back of the skirt.
Here is our finished right skirt side seam.
Next, we will finish the raw edges of the left skirt seam separately. Do not sew the seam together yet, as we need to insert the zipper. You may use a zig-zag stitch or serge the edges to finish.
And that’s it for our pockets and seams! Our skirt is now all ready for the waistband and zipper which we will sew next time.
Happy Sewing!
Nastasia
// LOOKING FOR MORE VERONIKA POSTS? //
Here’s the full list of the upcoming Veronika posts and tutorials:
- Veronika is now available in extended sizes!
- Veronika Inspiration & Ideas
- How to // Waistband & Zipper
- How to // Hemming
- How to // Pockets and seams (this post!)
- How to // Knit version
- Pattern hack // Paperbag waist
- Pattern hack // Veronika in Brocade
- How to // Sew a Horsehair Braid Hem
- A simple trick for evening out the hem of a circle skirt
We absolutely love seeing what you make, so don’t forget to tag your creations with #MNveronika and @megannielsenpatterns when sharing on social media, and check out what everyone else is up to!
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