 I'm still riding the "it's the new year and I have so many things I want to make" inspiration train so I thought I'd share not only my new Ally Skirt but also some inspiration. This skirt is made from a brick red denim from Fabric.com by Art Gallery Fabrics (did I know they made colored denim?) and brass snaps.  The Ally Skirt pattern is an easy and quick pattern to play with. It comes with 2 pocket options (flap and side seam) but it'd be really easy to add a patch pocket with ruffles (like the aqua cord skirt above) or an oversized pocket with flaps. I love the idea of adding contrast either by a solid placket on a print skirt or adding a leather border to denim (bottom left) like the $698 Stella McCartney version. Seriously, why not copy the good stuff and save yourself a few hundred dollars!
Here, I added a decorative machine stitch to the pocket. And in this version you can see the decorative stitches I added along the seams.
Be sure to check out my "Sassy Skirts" board on Pinterest for more. So much inspiration....not enough time, right?
What are you making?
0 Comments
 The kitchen is clean the family is gone...it's time to sew! Bring in the holidays by sewing something new for you or someone you love. All patterns are 25% off through Monday November 27th. Use the code: THANKFUL
Enjoy!  It's a 3-day weekend which means there's more time to sew! Let's celebrate with 25% off all PDF patterns in the store now through 9/5/17. That means all patterns are only $7.50! Use coupon code "WEEKEND" for the discount.
Sew away the weekend and enjoy! The Georgia Top is one of those patterns you can use over and over (and it's on sale right now!) I've been inspired by sewists out there that have done some amazing Georgia hacks. This one from Mahlicadesigns is one of my favorites. And this one from That'sSewAmy is a don't miss. I've said it before, I love nothing more than seeing someone get creative with one of my patterns. I thought I'd show you how to take the simple Georgia pattern and make it up in three VERY different tops.  This is Georgia in a cold shoulder version. I made this so quick I sewed it in the morning and wore it to work in the afternoon. Check out the blog post on how I did it.  Here's Georgia View A in her purest form straight out of the package. An adorable easy to wear dolman sleeve top in a black and mint green rayon stripe knit.  Georgia isn't just for knits but also for wovens. I took this dreamy Anna Sui cotton/silk vintage print and made it up adding a bias neck binding, pintucks and a keyhole neck. I have all the details in this post.
I have a Georgia Pinterest page with even more ideas. I'd love to see your makes! Send me pics! The Georgia Top pattern is 25% now through July 4th! Enjoy!  Nothing makes me happier than when I see someone hack one of my patterns. I don't attach any pride to the pattern by expecting for the pattern to only be made as I first designed it. In fact, The Georgia Top is the perfect simple design to have at it. Now it's my turn...  The cold shoulder trend is hotter than SoCal in August and Georgia needed to hop on that party wagon. This fan print rayon jersey came from my last haul from Craftsy. It's a cream background with peach colored Asian fans and is soft and cool for the warm summer.
This hack couldn't be easier and I think I finished sewing it in under 2 hours. It was one of those pieces I made in the morning and wore to my class in the afternoon. To start, I left the armbands and waistband off of view A. To make the cold shoulder I stitched the shoulder seam from the neck 2" and stitched the last 4" from the shoulder to the sleeve hem. I finished the opening by folding back the seam allowance and stitching in place. Seriously....that's it!  Because I want you to have fun with Georgia too, the pattern is 25% off now through July 4th!
Check out my Georgia Top Pinterest page with even more ideas! Have fun! Happy Sewing!  It’s week #1 of the “Bottoms-Up” Series - 3 Skirts in 3 Weeks. Skirts are a staple in my wardrobe and some new choices for work and play will be greatly appreciated in my fall wardrobe.  Recently, I taught the Ally Skirt class and it was interesting to see the fabrics and buttons my students brought. One student used a hot pink corduroy with black snaps (very retro) and another used a suiting to add to her work wardrobe. It inspired me to dress up the Ally skirt pattern with a suiting fabric.  I like this cotton suiting because it looks great for fall and winter without being too hot. I didn’t add any pockets but I did lengthen it 4” so it was just below the knee (my favorite go-to length).  The skirt goes together quickly and I have to say the topstitching opportunities make this skirt fun to make. My “It’s in the Details” Pinterest page, where I put fun finishing ideas from the internet, served as inspiration here. I put a shout out on Instagram for a vote on which stitch to use on the seams. The blanket stitch won out and I’m so glad I used it! We’re always looking for ways to use those decorative stitches on our machines and here is a perfect place.  Surprisingly, the most basic black button seemed the only way to go even though I had imagined silver buttons. The topstitching really needed to be the focal point so simpler was better. I have a wintery skirt in the works for next week with really fun trim. Stay tuned! Happy Sewing,
Diane  Here's my first make for fall, a new Margo Blouse. Actually, it isn't the first thing I made for fall but it's the first I'm sharing. There are quite a few things I've already made and even started wearing but I just haven't had a chance to photo.  I bought this floaty cotton/silk voile at The Fabric Store in LA back in July. It has tiny block printed birds on it which make it whimsical without being over the top. This is view B without the placket but I added 5 mismatched vintage buttons. Anytime I can add buttons I do...it's such an obsession.  I'm happy to announce I'll be teaching a Margo Blouse Class Saturday, November 5th at Fabricland in Orange, California. I keep the class sizes small so we can get lots done and still have a good time. Contact Fabricland to sign up. Since teaching is one of my favoriteist things to do, I'd love to see you there!  What are you making for fall?
 There's a lot that goes into the development of a pattern; design, pattern making, testing, writing, testing some more, refining and the list goes on. But the best part of the development of a pattern is when it goes out to the testers and I get to what people make. I'm amazed at how gifted, skilled and generous my pattern testers are! They made some really fun Ally skirts, gave awesome feedback and were all around supportive during the entire process. Their suggestions have been invaluable. I couldn't have done it without them! Here are some of the makes from these lovely testers: Michelle from ThatBlackChic added pockets and flaps for a young and funky Ally. So much fun!   Karen made a wool version (so classic!) with pockets and then a higher waisted denim version for her lovely daughter  Lindsay of Inside The Hem made a corduroy skirt. When Lindsay sent her photos I had to giggle because I had just finished a brown cord version myself  Caroline made a fun black Ally that can be worn all year with a light t-shirt in the summer and a chunky sweater and boots in the winter. I love it!  I'm the luckiest designer ever! Thank you pattern testers....you're the best!
 The newest addition to the Blue Dot Patterns Collection is the Ally Skirt PDF Pattern! It's now available on the BDP website! To celebrate the new release, it's on sale for 30% off....just $7.00. Ally has length and pocket options and best of all, it sews up really quick  Head on over to the website and check it out!
  The Ally Skirt is a 6 gore skirt with 2 length options, button front, topstitching and flap or pocket option (because we love our pockets!) Instructions include directions for a custom fit. View A is above the knee a with flap and has a finished length of 17 1/2". View B is knee length with an inset patch pocket and finishes at 22 1/2”. This pattern is designed for the beginning/intermediate sewer.  She doesn't take much fabric and is a really quick sew. Ally is a great way to add to your wardrobe. I hope it becomes one of your TNT patterns.  Upcraft Club is doing an exclusive release today so head on over and take a look!
The pattern will be available on the Blue Dot Website on June 3rd. I hope you like it! |
About MeHi! I'm Diane, a wife, mom, sewing teacher and pattern designer from sunny Southern California. I share my sewing adventures here on the Blue Dot Blog formerly Gatorbunnysews. For more info click here. 
Categories
All
Archives
October 2022
|
RSS Feed
Proudly powered by Weebly