Faux Suede Patchwork Mini Skirt

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Burda Pattern 6252 View A
• 3/4yd Main Color 58" Faux Suede (MC)
• 5/8yd Contrast Color 58" Faux Suede (CC)
• 1yd Pellon P45 Sew-In Interfacing
• 1yd Pellon 830 Easy Pattern Tracing Material
• Coordinating Polyester Thread for Each Color
• Dritz Craft Cover Button Kit Size 7/8" or 5 Buttons
• Wonder Clips
• Sewing Machine
• Basic Sewing Supplies

DIRECTIONS:

1. Using the pattern Burda 6252 View A, trace pattern piece 1 for a right and left front and pattern piece 2 for a right and left back onto pattern tracing material. Label pieces and cut out. Mark front facing fold line and a dotted line for center front. Mark grain lines parallel to the center front and the center back. Mark seam allowances on sides and center back. Fold center front facings to the inside on fold lines. Overlap the right front over the left front and pin, matching center front. Using a straightedge, draw a baseline from a point on the right front fold 5/8" from top to a point on the right front side seam line 5/8" from the bottom. Continue drawing parallel diagonal lines 3" above and below the base line. Lines will continue over the left front. Clearly mark each diagonal section, numbering from top to bottom. For example: 1-RF, 1-LF, etc. for first diagonal on Right Front or Left Front. There will be 7 sections. Also, mark each diagonal stripe section MC or CC, or with the name of the stripe's color.
2. For back of skirt, fold under the seam line on left center back and pin to right center back, matching center seam lines. Place pinned backs over the pinned fronts with WRONG sides together, matching side seams. Trace the diagonal lines onto the back. Identify each back diagonal similar to the front, i.e. 1-LB, 1-RB, etc. for first diagonal on Left Back or Right Back. Unpin and separate pieces. Open facings and continue drawing the diagonal lines over the facings and seam allowances. Make sure a grain line shows in each section. Mark 2 or 3 "X's" along each diagonal line to act as notches when piecing together. DO NOT SKIP marking lines with the "X". Mark both sides of each diagonal line with a highlighter. This will indicate that 3/8" must be added to these edges. Cut traced pattern apart on diagonal lines. Separate by main color (MC) and  contrast color (CC).
3. Lay MC pattern pieces diagonally on right side of a single layer of fabric, having grain lines parallel to the selvage. Faux suede has nap. Cut all pieces with the tops facing the same direction.  Leave 3/8" for seam lines along each highlighted edge. Suggestion: Pin similar diagonal pieces 3/4" away from each other. Cutting down the middle will leave 3/8" on each highlighted edge. Repeat with CC fabric. Once all pieces are cut, clip edges 1/8" at each "X" notch. Using markings for pieces 1-7 on each front and back, lay out pieces in order. (Colors should alternate.) Sew diagonals together in a 3/8" seam. (Match 1/8" clips at "X's" when pinning together. Ends may not match.) Finger press seams open. From right side, top stitch 1/8" from seam line along both sides of all seams, using matching thread. Once fronts and backs have been assembled, mark front-facing fold line and centers. 
4. Cut out front and back waistbands from MC fabric (according to nap) and sew-in interfacing. Apply interfacing by sewing 1/8" from edges.
5. Following Burda 8252 pattern instructions beginning on second page for View A, to sew back darts, center back seam and side seams. Match stripes at side and back seams. Finger press seams open. Follow steps 7-9 to hem and top stitch front facings. Omit step 9. Continue with steps 10-13. Top stitch all edges of waistband 1/8" from edges. Omit steps 14-15. Cover buttons, if desired. Work horizontal buttonholes at markings in waistband and right front. Sew buttons underneath, taking care to align stripes on front.

JOANN HACKS:

• Wonder Clips are recommended when sewing with faux suede.
• Feel free to vary the width of diagonal stripes.
• Use a crayon or marker to indicate color of diagonal stripe sections.
• If desired use sew-in interfacing to reinforce buttons and buttonholes on the front facings. Cut pieces 2" X length of skirt front and sew 1/8" along front edge of facing before folding over.