Lessons in skirt making

This week was my first attempt at making a skirt by making my own pattern. I have been buying all sorts of flowy fabrics to use for increasing my skirt collection and since summer is almost over and soon it will be to wet and cold to wear them I decided now was the time! I found the book Sew What! Skirts: 16 simple styles you can make with fabulous fabrics by Francesca DenHartog at the library and fell in love with the book and its simple techniques for making your own pattern and how to put skirts together.
I made my pattern last week out of a roll of craft paper I bought. I thought I would hate it because it was so heavy but actually it is kind of nice because I know I won't destroy it like I tend to do with tissue paper patterns. The last few days I worked on the cutting and sewing portion, since I'm a new sewer I still have a bit of trouble cutting and sewing straight but it was even harder than usual with the silky fabric I used. Aside from that my only other major problem was the damned elastic waistband. I made the casing no problem but pulling the elastic through the casing was a pain in the butt. Then when I finally had the whole thing through and I had fitted it and tightened the elastic to where I wanted it I let go of one end... elastic is, well... elastic and that end went halfway back through the casing and I had to start over. I won't make that mistake again. So here it is all finished! 

I'm really hoping I get better at photographing clothing, this is just sad. But you get the point!

When I was done I had all kinds of left over fabric so, I made a headband to go with it. 

Trying to show the headband and still look at the camera makes an awkward pose..

All and all I would consider the first skirt a success. There are a few things I will do differently next time, including adding a liner fabric and possibly hand stitching the hem. Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated, especially any that would make putting the elastic in the casing easier!!