It’s no secret that we were all captivated and inspired by the Met’s “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and The Catholic Imagination” 2018 Gala! Celebrities were draped from head to toes in breathtaking ecclesiastical fashions from some of the worlds most renowned designers like Versace and Prada just to name a few. As always, Mood Designer Fabrics brings you the latest in designer trends and luxury fabrics for all of your couture needs!

The Erica Skirt free sewing pattern is such a cute and fun way to showcase this amazing Metalic Gold and Purple Ecclesiastical fabric from Mood! This jacquard has a nice stiff drape which is perfect for the construction of the bubble skirt.  Try pairing this with a top made from a solid stretch knit or a flowy silk charmeuse to complete your look!

Fabrics & materials used:

• 2.5 yards of Metallic Gold and Purple Ecclesiastical Medallion Jacquard 
• 2 yards of Lucidum Patrician Purple Bemberg Lining
• 1 spool of 928 Hydrangea 100m Gutermann Sew All Thread 
• MDF106 – The Erica Skirt Sewing Pattern (free download below!)

Sewing the Erica Skirt is pretty straightforward. The outer layer sweep or bottom edge of the skirt is just about double the size of the lining. As the outer layer is gathered into the much smaller lining, it creates the bubble shape. Easy right? Let’s do it!

With right sides of fabric together, pin the front to the back at the side seams and sew. Do the same for the lining and set the lining aside. Make sure to keep the left side of the outer skirt and the lining open for the zipper. Sew up to the zipper notch and back stitch.

The waistband and waistband facing pieces are attached at the side seams. First, pin the waistband at the side and stitch. Next, pin the facing at the side and stitch.

Then attach the facing to the waistband by matching up the seams then stitch in place. Press all seam allowances.

Now the fun part! We have to gather the waist of the skirt so that it fits into our waistband.

Use a basting stitch to sew across the skirt waist. Pull the basting threads slowly gathering as you go. Make sure not to break the threads.

Next, you are going to do the same for the lining. Gather lining to fit into the waistband. Once the lining is gathered, you can pin it to the inside of the skirt. Make sure the wrong sides of the fabric are together. Baste stitch the lining to the skirt waist.

Matching at the side seams, pin the waistband to the skirt opening. Stitch in place leaving the zipper end open.

Once you install your zipper, you can press down the waistband facing and slip stitch it closed. The last thing you need to do now is gather the bottom of the outer skirt to fit into the hem of the smaller skirt lining. Complete by using a basting stitch as we did for gathering the waist. After you’ve gathered the skirt bottom, you can flip it inside out and pin it to the lining hem. stitch along the length of the lining leaving a small 4-5″ opening so you can turn it right side out and slip stitch closed. Your hem should be finished clean along the bottom and the skirt should have a cute bubble shape. And that’s it! You’re done!