 March 1st is the day! I will be releasing a new skirt pattern that I'm really excited about! The pattern will be 20% off the first week but for a super special discount, join our newsletter or Facebook group. More coming soon!
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 I set aside my selfish sewing for a bit to sew for my favorite girl. She's home from college and a girl needs something new when she comes home, right? I made a wrap skirt out of this rayon challis print she found at Joann. It was quick and easy and she's very happy.  I used New Look 6456 and made View C and made no changes (not even to the length) and it's perfect. You really can't go wrong with a wrap skirt, they're an easy fit and easy to make. The fabric shrunk like crazy so I had a difficult time getting all the pieces out of the fabric. I think figuring out how to make the pieces fit took almost as long as making it. Cutting and sewing was under 2 1/2 hours and I only had a few square inches of fabric left over. Yay me!  She's going away to work this summer and my plan is to make her another one before she gets back. Chambray maybe? I'm going to miss her so sewing for her will make me feel better.   There's still so much more I've made and haven't blogged about. Coming soon!
 It’s week #2 of the “Bottoms-Up” skirt series. Last week I made a gray and black Ally Skirt but this week I have a wintery but colorful plaid skirt that’ll spice up my closet.  This beautiful wool boucle from Fabricland was one I couldn’t pass up. Clearly, it would make a stunning jacket but I would wear a skirt so much more. Chanel boucle jackets often have fringe trim so why not add some trim to my skirt as well?  I used McCall’s pattern 7096. It’s fairly new pattern and has front and back seams that would lend themselves to fringe. I made view A in a size 12 because I found it ran a little big and it still sits too low on the hip for me. I figure by the time Thanksgiving is over it’ll be just perfect.  I took my time cutting the plaid (for obvious reasons) and cut all pieces in a single layer to make sure I got the match right on. The best way I found to ensure everything lined up was by using my 24” quilting ruler across all of the pieces. And after all of that painstaking work lining it up, I used the Accufeed on my machine (essentially a built-in walking foot) to keep those plaids in place.  The fringe may look difficult and time consuming and it may make you think I’m clever, but it’s so simple you won’t think I’m such a genius. I sewed the front and back seams wrong sides together, pressed them open from the front, and did a long zig-zag stitch down the center seam to stabilize the seam for fringing. I simply pulled threads (while I was on the phone with my sweet mom) and it was done! It really is that easy.
This is an unlined skirt pattern and for sure a wool skirt needs to be lined. I wrote a “How to Line an Unlined Skirt” post to show how to make a pattern for a skirt lining. The lining was made without the front and back seams to eliminate bulk. I then attached it to the yoke. Check it out!  I have a purple skirt in the works for week #3. Doesn’t every girl need a purple skirt?
Happy Sewing! Diane  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  Deep down inside, I must be a little granny because I love to line my skirts (I've been known to wear a half slip but don’t judge). Cotton, linen or otherwise, making the the inside as pretty as the outside is part of the fun of sewing. I recently made McCall’s 7096, a six gore unlined skirt, out of a wool boucle. Needless to say I wanted it lined. Since I have a skirt blog series coming up soon, A "How To" for skirt linings seems appropriate.  A lining should be as smooth as possible as the last thing we want to do is add bulk to the inside of a garment. Making a lining with as few seams as possible is the goal. I turned this six gore skirt into a simple one piece front and one piece back lining. Here’s how to do it:  Draw the stitching lines on the front and side front pieces along the front seamline.   Overlap the stitching lines and pin together. Go as far as you can while keeping the pattern pieces flat. They will spread into a “V” near the top.  Place tracing paper over the pinned pattern pieces and trace the outside and the “V” at the top of the pattern. This forms the new dart or pleat.  Make all the pattern markings on the new pattern and repeat for the back. Cut off the hem allowance from the original pattern (in my case I cut off 1 1/2” as stated on the pattern.) There it is! Easy peasy, right?
Enjoy!  You know how sometimes you just have one of "those days"? Well this has been one of "those projects". You know the ones where it’s supposed to be simple and for one reason or another, or in this case several reasons, it turned to be not as quick and simple as I was expecting. There was nothing wrong with the pattern it was just....one of “those projects”.  I've enjoyed working with fabric prints lately but it's time for me to add some summer basics to my wardrobe. I purchased this stretch cotton slightly brushed medium weight twill a couple of months ago in hopes of sewing up some pants but instead I stitched up an aline skirt using New Look 6035.  For starters, I prewashed the fabric and it came out with stains. I’m not sure if it was my machine or it was damaged when I bought it but, ugh. I counted it as a loss but after a few days I washed it again and got most of the stains out. It wasn't enough for pants but there was enough to eek out a skirt.dit.  The skirt is pretty plain and although I'm looking to add basics to my wardrobe, I wanted to avoid the "Armed Forces" look (there's nothing wrong with a uniform look except when it's not supposed to be a uniform). I looked to my "Sassy Skirts" Pinterest board for inspiration and decided to add pockets and belt loops with top stitching, back darts for shape and 6 inches to the length.  The skirt should’ve gone together easily and quickly and the instructions were good but it took quite a bit longer than the 2-3 hours it should have. I put the invisble zipper in 3 times because I kept stitching too close to the coil (really?), I forgot to put the belt loops in the seam when attaching the waistband and found another stain on the fabric as I was working. Thankfully, I was able to get it out.  Well folks, I persevered and came out with a skirt I’m happy with. For sure someone needs to print a “#sticktoitiveness” t-shirt for me. I’m having a little difficulty figuring out how to style it because the topstitched pockets make it a bit too casual for the tops I wear to work. I think it looks best with a simple t-shirt and sandals or tennies. Any ideas on styling?
A print sundress is under my sewing machine now. I’ll share soon! Diane  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. 
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