My Most Versatile Skirt Pattern- McCalls 6654

Hemlines go up, and hemlines go down.  Have you heard of the Skirt Length Economic Theory?

Supposedly shorter skirts have been correlated with a better economy.  That never really made sense to me because a longer skirt takes considerably more fabric, and should be more expensive, thus only affordable to more consumers when times are good.  But the explanation of this skirt length theory is that a more hopeful positive attitude is reflected in shorter skirts. 

Whatever the economy is doing, I have one skirt pattern that I have used over and over, through thick and thin.  I've never written a blog post about it because it is just so simple and straightforward, but in case you are looking for such a recommendation, here it is: McCalls 6654.  This is one of those patterns that the uninspiring cover may cause you to turn right past it.  But if you look at the line drawings, you can see its potential.

It has 5 lengths for a straight skirt version, and 4 for an A-line version.  I've used this pattern in my sewing classes, and I think that all of the students were really pleased with how easy it was and how flattering. They all chose different views depending on their body shape and length preference.  I think that if there is a secret to this pattern, it is finding a skirt in your closet that you love to wear, measuring its' length, and figuring out which hemline to use.

The pattern is supposed to be for knits only, but it can also be made in stretch wovens without any problem.  There is enough ease. If you want this to be a pencil silhouette, you can peg the bottom, by redrawing the side seams to curve inward below the hip, shaving off about 2" of width at the bottom of the pattern.  The other thing that makes it versatile is that the cutting lines are very straight and clearly separated, so if you want to make another size for a friend, you can easily do that, just by folding the cutting line on the size that you need.  I've kept all of the size lines on mine, and have made it for several different people.
 

This skirt is View I- the longest version of the A-line.  I did not adjust the hem length, which makes me think that most people will need to shorten it.  It has an elastic waistband, and you can easily make this pattern in a couple of hours.

What is really nice about having this pattern is you can find a view that can use from as little as 5/8 yard to up to 2-5/8, so whether you have a little bit or a lot of fabric, this pattern will work!  This skirt took close to 3 yards because I had a stripe to match at the sides.   I bought this fabric when I went to the PatternReview weekend in New York City, which I believe was 4 years ago now.

So, whether the economy is up or down, I'm certain that I'll still be using this pattern.  I wouldn't say that this is my favorite skirt pattern- I do have a couple of other skirt patterns that are more detailed with interesting hemlines that would vie for that title. 

But, I would say that this is my most versatile skirt pattern.  I guess that it is the Miss Congeniality of skirt patterns.  How about you? Do you have any versatile patterns that you would recommend?  Do you believe in the Skirt Length Economic Theory?

Happy Sewing!
 
Ann