the lazy seamstress and how she lines a ponte skirt

I’d like to share a little secret.

I am a lazy seamstress. I'll admit it. Although I appreciate and love the process, I do look for shortcuts providing they don't compromise construction or detail.

One of my favorite things to wear is a ponte knit skirt. I’ve bought a few, I've made a few, and well, the issue I have is this:

I like to wear tights with my ponte knit skirts.

And I also have like to wear shapewear, so the last thing I want to do is add an additional layer of a half or whole slip over my shapewear and tights, just so my tights don’t stick to my ponte.

Does that make sense?

So, a long time ago, I was thinking about lining knit skirts….and examining RTW and it occurred to me that using a bemberg lining on a ponte skirt sort of defeats the enjoyment of knit fit. I like the stretch, and bemberg and ponte sort of contradict each other.

I came up with this…I actually combine the slip and the skirt. One day, I was browsing through a thrift store and it hit me that those wonderful tricot knit slips of old would make a perfect lining for ponte skirts. And, if I buy right, I don’t have to manipulate the thrift slip all that much, and I end up with a pretty lining hem as a bonus.

So, it goes like this…find a slip.

(this slip cost  99 cents!)

Cut it off to the appropriate length needed to line your skirt.

I pin my hem up first for a rough idea of where to cut the top off the slip lining. Re-size the slip if necessary by taking in seams.

                                                Using a serger makes this step a no-brainer.

And that’s your lining.

This particular skirt has a waist band, So I assemble the skirt to the point of adding the waist band...

And then, pin and attach my slip lining to the skirt.

Then just proceed as usual.  It's my go-to solution for knit skirts and great solution for me since I have limited resources around here for a knit lining fabric that’s appropriate. It also satisfies the lazy side of me because the lining requires very little finishing and fussing.
By the way, I've also used thrift slips to underline ponte skirts when needed.

This ponte knit skirt is being made from Simplicity 2475 and will be one of the skirts I am making for Faye Lewis' Carnival of Skirts.. Check it out if you are need of some skirt inspiration!