skirt
Showing posts with label skirt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skirt. Show all posts

Somewhere over the rainbow

For some reason I've had it in my head for months that I wanted to make a rainbow striped skirt. I don't know why but I scoured Etsy forever looking for just the right fabric. This was not necessarily it, but it is cute, and this end of bolt piece was really cheap, so I went with it...

PS It's Michael Miller's Spa Scallop Stripe.

I originally thought I wanted a more a-line shape but there wasn't much fabric (like maybe 3/4 of a yard), so I went with a simple pencil skirt pattern with facings, New Look 6107. This is actually one of two pieces I've made recently from this pattern. The second is coming up soon.



I'm pretty pleased with this pattern overall. It fits well, better than some other pencil skirt patterns I've used in the past and it's obviously very easy to put together. The one problem with this skirt is revealed below. My stripes don't match in the back! Or rather, they do at the top (as seen in the picture below the one below), but then they pass the zipper and get a little wonky. It's especially disappointing because this is the only part of the skirt where I even tried to match stripes! I didn't have enough fabric to match the sides, so I lined up the stripes, but the colors don't match up.  




See how they matched at first?



I can't remember now if the waistband is cut sideways in the pattern or if I just did that as a design element... Either way, I think it looks pretty cool. You can also see my polka dot facing, proving that I barely made it with the amount of fabric I had...




So there you go, yet another pencil skirt. My love of them will never falter. Sorry I've been a bad blogger lately, there's been some stress and craziness in my life lately but I'm hopefully back on track to show you the abundance of dresses I've made lately.

Enjoy the last day of July lovelies! We're on the downhill slope of summer...
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Yet another pencil skirt...

So, surprise surprise, I made another pencil skirt. And I have a few more cut out, so I hope you're not sick of them yet. Pencil skirts are definitely one of my work staples and I really wanted a few in bright colors for this summer. This is a red version of the pink one below that I made for Me Made May.


Both of these skirts are based on Burda's Jenny pattern with a few modifications. First, neither of these skirts are lined. The fabric is medium weight and since it's summer I didn't want a lining that would make them hot to wear. It was 110 degrees in Texas today after all. Second, I copied Tilly's Autumn Maple skirt modification and just cut one waistband and folded it in half, instead of using two and attaching one to the lining. (not sure if that sentence made any sense unless you've made this pattern.) Anyway, these skirts gave me a chance to use this cool notion I picked up at an estate sale a while back. It's called "Perfect Waist Maker" and it's basically a strip of fusible interfacing with a serration down the middle.


You fuse it to the fabric then iron the fold along the serration and you have a perfectly sturdy, interfaced waistband. I haven't looked for this product in the fabric store yet because I still have plenty left so does any one know if this is still available? Most of the stuff at the estate sale I bought it from looked at least 10 years old, so I'm not sure if this is a contemporary product. If it is, you should go get some today!


Does anybody else have new cool notions they've tried that I should know about?

Hope you're having a great week ladies!
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Just a Plain Black Pencil Skirt...

Amazingly, I've actually finished something in the last few weeks! I've had several things on the ironing board that were 75% finished but I couldn't seem to get motivated to get them done (aka, I hate handstiching more than I hate sleeping with wet hair, which is seriously a lot). However, once I bought tickets for my New York trip, which has now moved from mid April to mid March (aka, I'm going to freeze to death) I decided I had to get my booty in gear so I could start working on clothes for the trip. A Sunday Downton Abbey marathon got me through several garments worth of hand sewing, including fixing the boyfriend's mangled silk tie that he put IN THE WASHING MACHINE! ARRRRGGGGHHHH! It's sort of fixed but I warned him I would murder him if it ever happened again.

By the way guys, I'm a few episodes into season 2 and I need to know, am I supposed to like Mary now? She kind of sucked last season but now I'm kinda rooting for her to end up with Matthew although he's clearly too nice of a guy for her. And why did Edith get kinda trampy? Also, if Carson has another heart attack scare I'll lose it. But seriously, how amazing is this show?

Anyway, I'm a lover of a good pencil skirt and when my trusty black college-era Forever 21 skirt finally bit the dust last fall I knew that I would need to replace it fairly quickly. Unfortunately, I'm lazy so I finished not quickly and right at the end of winter, about the time when I want to start making spring colored clothes and not boring black things. I mean seriously y'all, I live in Texas and aside from the crazy cold snap we're having right now, in like 5 minutes it'll be 80 degrees everyday and I'll want to wear sundresses! In ice cream colors! Geez.

I used Burda's Jenny pencil skirt pattern, that many a blogger has raved about, with some black stretch cotton I bought forever ago from Fabricmart. I have to say, I totally get it. This pattern is crazy easy to put together and really flattering. Also, a touch more grown-up looking than my Forever 21 skirt. RIP.

However, it was a bad idea to try to take photos at work with this huge sweater on. The skirt is totally wrinkled and covered in sweater fuzz and I had to hold it up to show the waistband. Plus the shower curtain in our office is hideous. Not like I needed to point that out, it's pretty glaringly obvious...


Here's a shot of the waistband and a shot from the side. When I cut the skirt I thought it might be a little tight, especially since I can't put down the girl scout cookies lately and an extra 5lbs have been creeping up on me, but it's actually a little on the loose side. I'm giving it a few wearings to decide if it's annoying enough to fix. Originally I had a crazy zipper butt bubble situation, but the perfectionist in me, who normally remains silent when it comes to sewing projects, spoke up, so I ripped out the back seam and re-did it. Looks pretty decent now...


I lined it using the same fabric I used to line my Minoru, plus make a dress a few years ago. So glad to finally have it out of my stash! If I could send a message to newbie-sewer me 2 years ago I would say "Stop buying 5 yards of fabric because you're afraid you'll make a mistake! It will be annoying to have everything in your wardrobe made out of it later!" 

I'm sure I was supposed to use a black lining so when the slit in the back opens while I walk people won't be trying to stick their head up my skirt to see what crazy fabric is lining it... but oh well, I don't like following rules.

So there it is, the first finished object I've posted in ages and it's a plain black skirt. Whatever y'all, I'm so happy to have something done, I don't even care that it reminds me of funerals rather than spring days to come.

Happy Monday!
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Sewing for Other People Part 2

First of all, sorry I've been such a bad blogger lately. There are a few things in my life right now that are kind of a bummer, so rather than sewing and blogging lately I've been laying on the couch and watching Downton Abbey. I'm hoping to be out of my funk soon, but in the mean time I realized I need to finish up showing you my handmade Christmas gifts!

This is the second gift I made for my sister and now I doubt she'll ever wear anything I make her again since both things I made ended up with a proportion/fitting problem! This is why I'm selfish and don't normally sew for other people. Things that I would just live with on my clothes make me feel guily on clothes for someone else! Anyway, I saw her pin this skirt a few months ago...


Source: flickr.com via Forrest on Pinterest


Coincidentally, I had purchased a really similar fabric from an estate sale a few weeks before so I decided to make it for her using the Sewaholic Crescent skirt pattern. Construction wise the skirt is pretty well made, the only issue is that I think I should have chosen the less full skirt view to replicate the original skirt. (view A instead of view B) This one is a little puffy, due to the thickness and drape of the material and needs to be worn with heels so it doesn't make the wearer look shorter...



This is the third Sewaholic pattern I've made and as always, her instructions were spot on and the skirt was really well drafted. I loved the french seaming on the pockets and the technique she uses for inserting the zipper. I will definitely be using that again!

Hope all is well with y'all!
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Skirt of Armor

So, as often happens when I set lofty goals, life got in the way this week and even though I cut out 3 tops on Sunday, I didn't get around to making any. However, I was able to make a quick outfit last night for a concert this weekend. Both the top and the skirt were self drafted. The top was from Miss P's tutorial for a quick drafted top. The skirt is inspired by this tutorial by Mommy Go Round via Sweet Verbena...

I was dumb when drafting the pattern for the top and I made the neckline a little too large, so this has become yet another off the shoulder top (accidentally cut my face out of this one...). Other than that I'm pretty happy with it, I was looking to make a blousy, slightly over sized top to tuck into skirts and this fits the bill.

I have to admit I kind of love this skirt. It makes me laugh and I think it's going to be great for work with a cardigan (they already think I dress weird...)

Hopefully I'll get to the tops tomorrow night, and in the meantime, I'll have another fun project to show you tomorrow!

Happy weekend!
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Thrifting + a Good Mail Day

Lots of sewing items acquired this weekend. First off, the new Burda and a Sewaholic pattern came in the mail!

I loved lots of things about the new Burda but I really loved the fairytale theme than ran through the issue and I thought the Christmas crafts were adorable! It almost makes me wish I had kids so I could make a Little Red Riding Hood house!


Also loved the artwork for these plate and fabric transfers!


This page makes me want to learn to knit RIGHT NOW. How cozy does that blanket look? LOVE it!

I ordered the Sewaholic pattern to make this skirt for my sister. She is young and cute and in college so she can get away with wearing cute short skirts. I already had the perfect fabric in my stash so when I saw her pin this on Pinterest I knew all I needed was the Crescent skirt pattern to make it. Hopefully starting on this in the next few days...

Source: flickr.com via Forrest on Pinterest

Next up I visited my neighborhood thrift store and picked up some more sewing stuff. I probably have 20 jacket and top patterns just like this but for 25 cents I couldn't resist taking them home just to make sure...

I also picked up this hilarious jumpsuit pattern that just makes me laugh with it's craziness, but let's face it, I'll probably make it and pretend it's cool. I loved the sexiness of this 70's jersey dress, not sure when I'll make it but I couldn't pass it up.


Finally I found this great 60's Vogue suit in my size, and...


3 yards of black wool suiting, which is exactly how much this pattern calls for! And for only $6! Yay! To be honest, I have no idea when I'll get around to this project but I feel like it was serendipity to find the pattern and the fabric together!


Today I'm starting my "Week of Tops". I'm hoping to get through my Fall sewing by powering through a category of clothing each week. This week I hope to finish 3-4 tops, next week I'll focus on 3-4 skirts, then I'll give myself 2 weeks to get through 3-4 dresses. All the tops are cut out, and they should be fairly easy because they're all pullovers with no closures. However, I'm supposed to be spending this afternoon teaching a girlfriend how to sew, so my projects will have to take a back burner today. We'll see how it goes!

Hope your weekend was fabulous!
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Three Skirt Night

So, last night I got on a sewing tear and decided to buzz through several quick projects. I ended up making 3 black and white skirts, which is sort of hilarious and limiting to my wardrobe... The one on the left is the striped jersey version of the peacock dress/skirt and the one on the right is the leopard print pencil skirt blogged about here...


This skirt is a refashion from Goodwill. I didn't take a before picture because it looked pretty much the same except it had a waistband and zipper. It was a little large so I cut off the waistband and put in an elastic waist. This skirt is obviously handmade by some other home seamstress, which is kind of cool, except for the fact that she didn't' finish her seam allowances! Tisk tisk...


I also was able to mend 2 other dresses to throw into the Self Stitched September ring! Sew productive! (oh how I love puns...)

Happy Tuesday!
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Easiest Sewing Project Ever.

It's a skirt, it's a dress, it's literally the easiest thing I've ever made in my life! I got this great peacock feather cotton jersey on Etsy. It was an end of bolt remnant, only 30" but I got it for 20% off.

Day 9 (day); worn for work

Day 9 (night); worn for my bff's bridal fitting and
a comedy show with the boyfriend
I was originally just planning on making a pencil-like skirt but decided it would be cute as a tube dress as well. I got a ton of compliments on it, which is obviously entirely due to the print because the construction is no great show of skill. It is however, an opportunity to try to convince my friends to take up sewing! I seriously need more people doing this so I can justify my habit... When they say it's cute I can literally say it took me half an hour and no sewing skills to make. See kids, sewing can fun and easy! Jump on the bandwagon!

Here's my really unscientific method for making this dress: Since I wanted to wear it as a dress and skirt, I took both my waist measurement and my upper bust measurement then averaged the two, divided that number in half and added one inch for seam allowance. Then I folded the edge of the fabric over to the measurement I wanted (in this case 17.5")

Badly lit, unhelpful photo

Then I cut along the edge of the folded fabric, sewed a zig-zag stich with a 1/2" seam allowance up the side, folded the top over 3/4" twice and sewed down to make a casing, added 1/2" elastic and cut the bottom off even. SO EASY! (so much so that I'm laughing at myself for labeling this a "tutorial")

I love this dress/skirt because when worn with a t-shirt and elastic belt to work it's just about the most comfy thing ever. I might as well being wearing pjs. Also, it's cute as a dress with no belt and flip flops, for running around town. I have another piece of black and white striped jersey that I will use this same technique for, although I can't decide if I should just make it a skirt (aka, cut 5 or so inches of the bottom), rather than a skirt dress/combo. I'm afraid it might look like a sexy inmate costume when worn as a dress. Wait, have I just figured out what I'm going to be for Halloween?

Remember to enter my giveaway here!
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Monday Musings

I feel like I'm always making excuses as to why I haven't gotten much sewing done, but this week they're legit. Promise. My car broke down and I had to spend Friday night and Saturday with my parents in another town before I could get back home. Plus I'm babysitting the boyfriends giant dog who likes to knock over my ironing board, with the hot iron on it and the sewing I have been able to do has mostly been alterations to a bridesmaids dress for a friend who is going to be a wedding this coming weekend. That being said, I did throw together this little top last night (from the Burda FREE Kimono t-shirt pattern), worn with the denim pencil skirt, both of which were part of the fabrics I was hoping to sew before the summer is over. The shirt was a little bit of a nightmare because the vintage jersey is so slippery! The hem is pretty terrible so I'm thinking about just taking it out and leaving it raw. And it's a little big so I might take it in. All in all though, it's a pretty great, simple pattern that you can throw together in a hot minute...

Also, I wore the zebra pencil skirt today so I thought I would show you an action shot (pretend you can't see through my shirt please).
What did everyone think of Project Runway on Thursday? I have to say, I loved the challenge and I thought for the most part, the contestants made some really great things! Also, Christina Ricci was weird but her outfit was cute. Loved the winning design and hated the losing one. Rarely do I agree with the judges on both counts, but this was one of those nights... I think it's sort of too early to have favorites yet, however, I do love Anthony, the color blind guy, and Bert (the winner), who has such a great design pedigree. I really think he's going to do beautiful things. Here's hoping he makes his comeback!
Here's what I loved:
(winner)









and hated:

(loser)









Hope you've had a great start to your week!
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Assembly Line Skirts

First of all, thanks so much for all the sweet birthday comments! It was an excellent birthday, so thanks for being a part of it!
Secondly, After my successful denim pencil skirt, I have been on a pencil skirt making craze! I've been using McCalls 6038, which is a simple, quick pattern that I highly recommend. These skirts were made with different quilting cottons from JoAnns and lined with muslin. I used Dib's Assembly line technique for cutting the skirts and lining. I took this picture to demonstrate the layering of the fabric, plus my new favorite cutting aid, clothes pins. However, the cat had to get involved... But back to the clothespins, so useful for keeping fabric taut and on grain by attaching the fabric to the cutting mat! I first started using them for a really slippery jersey but they worked great for the layers I was cutting for the skirts too.
The denim skirt took around an hour altogether but these skirts took significantly longer due to the lining. Also, when I made the denim skirt, I cut an 8 but found it a little baggy in the hips. Also, it spun around a little as a sat, which makes me crazy! I figured I could shrink the denim in hot water but I decided to cut the cotton skirts in a 6 to avoid the problem. Now I find them a little tight... I guess it will be motivation to lose the 5 lbs I've gained this summer! Also, a couple more projects like this and I will be so ready for the next Me Made or Self Stitched!
This is my last day of my epic 5 day birthday weekend so I'm heading over to the boyfriend's empty house to watch DVR'd episodes of True Blood and cut out a mountain of projects for the next few weeks.
Have a great Tuesday!
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Baby you're a firework...

Amazingly finished a pencil skirt last night! I used McCalls 6038 which was a dream to sew! I finished it in under two hours including cutting! It's made with a light weight denim from JoAnns and a vintage zipper from an estate sale. My first attempt at a lapped zipper worked out! I have NO natural light in my apartment so sorry for the crazy dark, blurry pic...

Close-up of the lapped zipper...

I'm excited about this pattern working out as I've been really wanting to make several pencil skirts lately! All in all, it was good that I decided to wear a skirt and heels, rather than the pjs I wanted to wear (Mondays aren't my fav) because I ended up on the local news tonight! (I'm at the 47 sec mark)




Happy Monday!
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Chicken Fried Steak and Old Friends...

So I was able to finish the skirt in time for dinner with the fam and the best chicken fried steak in the world...
but sadly, the blue dress did not get finished in time to wear to the wedding shower for my sweet friend Lance and his beautiful bride-to-be Tessa! (I know everyone was on the edge of their seats about that one ;) However, I did get it finished when I came home Sunday afternoon and I have a graduation this week so I think I'll wear it for that (and hopefully get better pictures!)
This is a close-up of the bodice. SO complicated, especially since the fabric kept picking, but worth it in the end...
This is what I've been working on today. I promised myself I wouldn't buy more fabric after re-doing my sewing room and discovering just how much I had, but I've had my eyes on this pattern and fabric from Etsy for awhile and I finally decided to bite the bullet and get them both.
Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day! And thank you to our amazing Veterans and current Service Men and Women. We appreciate you more than you know!
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