Now that we’ve covered all of the construction steps for the Cascade skirt, let’s explore some hacks, shall we? Fir this first hack, I eliminated the curved hem and created a straight hem! so instead of a curve at the wrap, it creates a 90 degree angle – a vertical straight line at the wrap point, and an even straight hem. Let me show you how I did it!
I’m going to be demonstrating this on the knee length option. So they only pattern piece we need to work with is the Front skirt piece, the back skirt piece can be left alone since it is already has an even hem.
(if you would like to do this with the longer high-low hem version, you would have to even out the hem of the back skirt too, FYI).
First thing I did, was draw a straight vertical line at the center front, which is marked on the pattern. Extend that center front line all the way down.
This was a trial and error hack for me, so please ignore the other markings and taped together cuts. And FYI – I’m not sure this is the most *technical* and correct way to do this. But more of me just figuring it out for myself, and what worked. And it did, so I’m sharing it with you lol.
The next thing that needed to be done was adjust the shape of the waistline. The extreme curved shape of Cascades front waistline helps create that beautiful cascade effect at the wrap point. But I realized that for a straight hem, the flowing cascade doesn’t really work. So I needed to straighten out the waist shape to eliminate that upper cascade effect.
To do this, I measured down 7/8″ from the top edge of the curve, and re-drew the line to meet the waistline. I had to make sure that the length of the waistline stayed the same. Note: this measurement might be slightly different for your size, so you may have to adjust for yourself. The most important part is that the length of the front waistline stays the same. So measure from side to side before and after you re-draw your wasitline.
Cut off that excess piece and discard/set aside.
Now draw a straight line down from that new corner, parallel to the center front.
Cut off the excess.
Measure the length of your side seam. We are going to be using this measurement to even out our hem. Lets call this X”.
Place a large sheet of paper underneath the pattern, and tape in place. Using your side seam measurement, X”, extend the straight edge at the front to match that X”.
Now slowly go around the skirt, measure down X”, from the waistline, marking as you go.
Continue doing this, making sure waist to hem measures X”, for the whole hem of the skirt.
Cut at this new hem line, and here is your new skirt front pattern piece! You can now cut and assemble your Cascade skirt following all of the same directions.
The only difference – when it is time to hem, you will have to hem the bottom of the skirt, and then the vertical front, separately. Creating that 90 degree angle at the bottom.
This is what your new Cascade skirt looks like!
LOOKING FOR MORE CASCADE POSTS?
- How to Choose Between Cascade and Cascade Curve
- Sewalong : pockets and side seams
- Sewalong : french side seams (optional)
- Sewalong : rolled hem
- Sewalong : bonus hemming method – ban-roll hem
- Sewalong : optional lining
- Sewalong : tie waistband
- Sewalong : button waistband
- Hack : straight hem (this post!)
- Hack : mini ballet skirt
- Hack: ruffle hem
DON’T HAVE THE PATTERN YET?
