Ivie Sew Along | Sew the Pockets & Skirt Tiers

In this post, we will add the optional pockets and sew the skirt tiers if you are sewing the dress or skirt.

SKIRT & DRESS | SEW THE SKIRT SIDE SEAMS WITHOUT POCKETS

If omitting the skirt pockets, sew the side seams right sides together. Finish and press towards the back. Skip to step 31.

SKIRT & DRESS | SEW THE SKIRT POCKETS

With the right sides together, sew the pocket bags to the front and back skirts, matching the notches. Finish the side seams.

SKIRT & DRESS | UNDERSTITCH THE POCKETS

Press the pocket bags open and understitch the pocket bags, stitching 1/16” (0.15 cm) away from the seam.

SKIRT & DRESS | SEW THE SIDE SEAMS

With the right sides together, pin the front and back skirt pieces together. Sew the side seams by starting at the waist and stopping at the first notch, making sure to sew inside the understitch line. Then stitch below the pocket, starting at the second notch, and sew to the hem.

To close the pockets, sew around the pocket’s edge until you sew to the bottom notch. Press the pockets and seam allowance towards the front.

SKIRT & DRESS | SECURE THE POCKET TOWARDS THE FRONT

Secure the pockets so they are lying towards the front. Sew the waistline at 1/4” (0.6 cm), catching the pocket and front skirt.

SKIRT & DRESS | SEW THE RUFFLE SIDE SEAMS

With the right sides together, sew the hem ruffle side seams. Finish and press towards the back.

SKIRT & DRESS | SEW THE RUFFLE HEM

If you think you will need to adjust the length, you can wait to hem the skirt as the last step. Prep the skirt hem by stitching a fold guide at 1/4” (0.6 cm). Make sure you are hemming the edge without notches.

Press the hem up 1/4” (0.6 cm), wrong sides together. Fold the hem up again at 1 3/4” (4.4 cm). A hem gauge can be helpful.

Edgestitch the hem from the wrong side, catching the very edge. Press the hem.

SKIRT & DRESS | GATHER THE TOP EDGE OF THE RUFFLE HEM

Make sure all of the notches are marked on your skirt and ruffle hem pieces. Change your stitch length to the longest possible length. Sew two parallel baste stitch lines at the top edge of the ruffle hem. Make sure not to backstitch at the beginning or end of your stitch lines and leave long ends to your threads.

– The first line is 1/4” (0.6 cm) away from the fabric edge.

– The second line is 1/2” (1.25 cm) away from the fabric edge.
Pull the bobbin threads to gather the tiers.

SKIRT & DRESS | SEW THE RUFFLE HEM TO THE SKIRT

With the right sides together, pin the gathered top edge of the ruffle hem to the skirt hem, adjusting the gathering. Match the notches, side seams, and center back. If sewing the C/D version, make sure to match the front and back. The fronts will be longer.

Sew and finish the seam, removing any visible basting stitches. Press the seam up.

If you are attaching the bodice to sew the Ivie dress, you can find the next step here. If you are sewing the Ivie skirt, you will finish it in this post.