Two For One--My Reversible Ina Maxi

Last year I received a free digital pattern from Pattern Review.com as a consolation prize for making it to the finals of their Surprise Sewing Bee. I chose the Ina Maxi Skirt (Pattern no. 104). This maxi skirt pattern achieves a very flattering silhouette by using two godets cut on the bias and is perfect for striped jersey fabrics.

I purchased two 2-yard cuts of rayon jersey from Fabric.com and both were very lightweight.

Both of these fabrics are very soft to the touch but a bit sheer.

Instead of lining them, I decided to use both in one skirt and make it reversible.

Here are the simple steps:

1) I assembled the skirts separately following the pattern instructions. I also assembled two waistband pieces minus the facing. I then attached each skirt to its own waistband, sewing the skirt to the bottom edge of the waistband.

2) I sewed the two skirts together along the upper edge of the waistband, right sides together. 

Voila! A reversible skirt!

There were a few challenges though.

My fabric had greater stretch along the horizontal stripes which determined how I laid out my skirt pattern pieces. But it added the need to carefully match the stripes along the seamline.

It was also tricky when it was time to hem as I had to make sure both sides were same length, otherwise there would be the inevitable peekaboo.

Finally, a few helpful tips:

Since my skirt was reversible, I could not sew a label or tag to mark the back. I just used a few small straight stitches on the waistband to remind me which was the back of the skirt.

For my waistband fabric, I used a polyester/spandex fabric used for activewear. It had greater recovery than my lightweight main fabric.

So here's my reversible Ina maxi.