I've been focused on a lot of home creating, making our new to us house feel like a home. I thought it was about time to start thinking about garment sewing, especially as I am preparing for our Portfolio Dress Sew Along. (Put it on your calendar...April 25-29th!)
I had bookmarked this post on mmmcrafts. Larissa made darling skirts for her girls, based on the Lazy Days Skirt by Oliver + S, with a more finished waist. Using her tips, I made skirts for my daughters.
I love the flat front of the waist band. As Larissa suggested, I cut the placket 4" wide, and interfaced the front.
I didn't have wide enough elastic to fill the back, and so I sewed small channels and threaded two different elastics through.
For Baby's, the elastic was wide enough, but I stretched the casing and stitched through the center to reduce the bulkiness. I did end up reducing the elastic by about 1 inch for both my girls. I guess they have skinny backs!
One big change, instead of a ribbon hem or a tuck, I added a fabric placket. With Baby's skirt I decided to be fancy and add a little yellow piping.
The skirt is simple, basically a tube cut from selvage to selvage...I had to shorten Baby's a little bit because the fabric was wider than 44".
Following the Lazy Day's skirt directions, you sew the placket to the edge of the skirt, and then fold it up so it is on the front of the skirt. I then edge stitched the placket on the skirt's edge, and then carefully ironed and pinned the placket and edge stitched the top of the placket to the skirt.
I tried to match the seams as close as possible.
Like most things lately, I made this more difficult then it had to be, but I'm really happy with how they turned out. The skirt for Big Sis matches several tops, and will be great for school or church. Baby's...I just really liked those colors together! I will probably make her a top to match, besides the obvious white t shirt.
There's lots going on around here. Sewing 101 comes back on Saturday, I am a contestant for One Month to Win It Season 2, and the Sew Along is on the horizon. I also have a new sponsor I can't wait to tell you about!
Linked to Keeping It Simple
Those skirts look great! I love the flat front, I need to figure out how to do it.
ReplyDeletereally nice skirts! I'll have to try to make one for my daughter. They look great and not very difficult.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I received the portfolio dress pattern! I'm really excited to sew something for myself. But I must admit I'm a bit scared. I gave a quick glance at the instructions and they seemed a bit difficult to me. Fortunately we'll have the sew-along!!
I particularly love the colors in the last skirt...
ReplyDeleteCute skirts, Chris! I seriously can't believe we made the exact same thing:) Congrats on One Month to Win It... I'll be voting!
ReplyDeleteVery cute, and thanks for the linkage!
ReplyDeleteChris - These skirts turned out beautiful, love the fabric selection!! The channels appears to work very well - very even. I am going to try this channel technique on an adult skirt (this is the one http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/2011/02/flirting-issue.html )
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of channels as opposed to the elastic thread techinique.
PS My portfolio pattern is stuck at customs, hopefully it will arrive soon :)
Love your fabric selection for the skirts. THank you for chancing by my blog!
ReplyDeleteChris,
ReplyDeleteYour sewing is just fabulous. I love all the finishing touches you put in; they look so super-professional.
I hope your little ones come to appreciate what a talented mummy they have!
Sarahx
Um, wow! Those are ADORABLE!!!
ReplyDeleteI really like the grey and black skirt. so cute.
ReplyDeletemegan
craftycpa.blogspot.com
Very cute skirts. I really like the flat-front look and especially love the yellow piping on the blue one. Well done Chris!
ReplyDelete@emilylsommerThanks, Emily! I'm really happy with how they turned out.
ReplyDeleteLOVE them! They're adorable :).I especially love the yellow piping.
ReplyDeleteI just recently stumbled across your blog, and I'm REALLY excited about the sew-along. I went to Joann's today, and they had their Simplicity patterns (including the Lisette ones) on sale for $.99, so I lucked out big time.
New word for today: palcket. I've never heard of one before. I think my education is now near completion!!
ReplyDeleteSarahx