A New Skirt and My Favorite Spring Colors

  Over Mother's Day weekend, I got my nails done, started a new skirt, and bought some fun new fabric.  As I snapped this photo of my skirt in progress, I realized I have a color palette on the brain.  Emerald, black and coral seem to be my go to colors right now.

I'm so happy with now this skirt came out and really proud to say that it is for the most part, self-drafted.

 I started with Simplicity 2226 which I've made twice before.  This one, where I sort of followed the pattern, and here again where I describe the changes I made.

 I used the pattern to draft the pockets and the yoke with belt loops and a skirt from my closet to draft the basic shape.  The invisible zipper gave me trouble on both my previous skirts, so it was nice to not have to worry about a zipper on this one.

 I really like the look of the front buttons, and believe it or not, used the sewing instructions from my Lisette Traveler's Dress to draft the button placket.

There are so many things I love about this skirt.  The fabric is a stretch poplin, so it's really comfortable to wear.  I love the color and the pockets and the fun flower print facing.  I added seam down the back which I think adds a nice simple detail.  I did have to add a little hook between the first 2 top buttons to keep it a little flatter there. I love being able to customize my clothing and not always having to rely on the sizing and fit of store-bought clothes. 

Next on the sewing agenda is a cute matching top with my new fabric find.

High Low Maxi Skirt - TUTORIAL

 

Two years ago I bought a cute maxi skirt.  Looking in my closet the other day I realized, I've never worn it.  I always admire maxi skirts on other people.  But, when I look closely, I'm reminded of why I never wear them myself.  Most of the time, people are holding them up as they walk.  Not very practical, especially when you're spending your day at work or with kids, or both!

So, in the midst of my sewing slump, I had an epiphany.  I love the high-low skirt trend and I love the maxi skirt trend.  Why not a high-low maxi skirt!

This skirt is super easy to make and even easier to wear.  

Are you with me?  Let's get started.

All you'll need is 1.5-2.5 yards of stretchy fabric, depending on your height and size.  I only had a yard, so I made my waistband from a different color.  I used a rayon jersey knit that was very drapey and stretchy.

My 1 yard of fabric (36 by 60 inches) was the perfect length and width for my skirt.  In the photo above, I have the fabric folded in half for the skirt front and back.

 Fold the fabric in half again, so now it's quartered.  Measure around your waist, divide by 4 and add 1.  Using that measurement, make a mark that distance from the fold.  Now draw and angled line all the way to the bottom and cut. You should end up with a nice looking A-line shape.

 With right sides together, sew side seams.

Now let's do the waistband.  I ran out of the main fabric, so I'm using a different color.  Cut a piece of fabric that is 2/3 your waist measurement by 8 inches, and with right sides together, sew short sides making a loop.

Fold the waistband in half with wrong sides together, matching raw edge.

 Match the raw edge of the waistband to the raw edge of the skirt, pin and sew.

 Your skirt is almost done!

 Now, let's make the high low hem.  Lay the skirt flat so the the side seams are matched up.  Figure out how high you want the front, keeping in mind you'll still need to hem the skirt.  Draw a nice angle from the front to the back and cut.

 Fold the bottom of the skirt 1 inch to the wrong side and topstitch to hem. When you hem, keep in mind you'll be able to see the wrong side of the back of the skirt.  I used white thread for my bobbin and didn't realize until later that you can see it from the front.  Oh well, I definitey see another one of these in my future.

So fun.  So versatile.

Another Simplicity 2226 - Summer Skirt for Me

 I recently got an email from a reader who'd seen this skirt I made and was wondering how I'd modified the pattern.  I used Simplicty 2226, and actually made a muslin, something I almost never do.  I've learned that for me, store bought patterns never fit right.  The muslin was really, really poofy, too big even though I'd used and followed my measurements, and altogether unflattering.  But, I thought that I might be able to make some simple modifications and in the words of Tim Gunn, make it work!

 I love this skirt and it's probably the first thing I made for myself that I actually wear a lot.  So, in case it helps, here's how I modified the pattern.  
  I cut a size 12, but ended up using a size 6 band.  I cut about 3 inches out of the center of the front, which ends up being 6 inches since it's cut on the fold.

I did the same on both back pieces. Since I took a lot of the poof out of the skirt, it needed to be wider at the bottom so I cut the sides to be more A-line rather than straight.

I kept the gathers just in the front middle, and very little gather in the back.  The invisible zipper always gives me trouble.  Anybody know of a good tutorial for putting in invisible zippers? 

I love, love, LOVE my new skirt!  And if it ever gets warm here in MA, I'm sure I'll wear it a ton.

 I bought this fabric last summer when my husband and I were in NYC with this skirt in mind...almost a year later, here it is. 

Lastly, the requisite photo with my face.  Trying not to laugh at myself....

Skirt Week

 Have you heard the news?  Crafterhours is hosting a whole month of skirt related posts and a little friendly skirt competition.

Check out all the info here.  

What's fun is that you can enter any skirt you've made since July 1, 2011.  So if you made a skirt in the past, you can enter it now!  I pulled out my Simplicity 2226 skirt, which I made last fall and still love and wear A LOT. 

 I also made this skirt last month and haven't had a chance to photograph and post, until now. 

I used the instructions from Simplicity 2226 to do the waist, but the rest is self-drafted.  The pockets were real, but ended up bunching funny, so I sewed them closed. 

Can't wait to see all the fun skirt posts starting on May 21.  

Do you have a skirt you're going to enter?

And, don't forget to enter the Emmaline Bag Pattern GIVEAWAY here.  The giveaway ends, Friday, May 18 at 11:59PM Eastern Time.

Channeling Spring

The other night I came across a blog I hadn't seen before and was instantly inspired.  Elle Apparel has some nice tutorials for clothing and though I didn't follow any one in particular, her ideas definitely got me thinking about making more clothes for myself.  
I'm not nearly as cute as Leanne and I really hate having my picture taken, so you'll have to bear with me.

First I made this cute shirt dress.  The shirt was $10 at Target and the skirt is fabric I'd had in my stash for a long time.  It's not perfect, but good enough for a first try.  I plan on making more, once it's actually warm out.  Despite it being about 34 degrees, my husband convinced me to go outside for these photos.  True blog dedication. 

Next, I made myself a skirt. I just bought this skirt from Old Navy.  I love the fit and style, so I just traced it and made another.

Once it gets warm here, this skirt will get a lot of mileage.  I made the shirt for our trip to Florida last month. 

 

 What have you added to your wardrobe lately?  Any great tutorials out there I should know about?  I'd love to hear from you!

A New Skirt For ME!

Simplicity 2226.  I had to make some serious alterations to this pattern.  I made a muslin first which I wish I took a picture of before I put it in the trash.  The basic design is cute, but the skirt was so full it was ridiculous.  Not flattering on me at all. 

I really like the end result and love the pockets.  I used contrasting thread, but it doesn't show up too well unless you're up close.

It was a fun challenge taking pictures of myself with my tripod and remote.  The kids got involved too.

  Who says blogging isn't fun for the whole family :)




 
And, I have to give a shout out to my good friend over at Jane of all Trades.  I made this skirt after seeing her in a very similar and very cute skirt.  Imitation is the highest form of flattery!