Busy gal

I was a busy gal last night. 

• I finished a skirt that I started over the weekend.  More on this project later...




Made entirely of men's dress shirts!

• I finished my boyfriend's daughter's skirt (that we started a few weeks ago).  We only had thin elastic and I wanted thicker elastic for the waistband. 
• I fixed the sleeves and then ironed a dress I bought over two years ago.  The sleeves had a cute cuff but they were far too tight on my super muscular ample upper arms.  I chopped off the cuffs and finished the edges. I also ran a seam along the neckline of the dress.  After I washed it the first time, I couldn't get the neckline to lay flat.  I'll teach you, you unruly colar!

•  I washed two of the skirts from my earlier trip to the thrift store - the third one is silk so I wasn't about to throw it in the wash!  Bummer, the third one doesn't fit so I need to think of a way to refashion the garmet into something I like.

 What did you do last night???

I Made It! -- Black Skirt with Yellow Detail

The Bed Head Foxy Curls giveaway is open until Saturday, July 30 at midnight... have you entered yet? 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two weekends ago I taught my cousin and a friend how to make a skirt from the pattern above. I chose an "easy-to-sew" pattern because I was helping people sew that were beginners. I also knew this would be a project we could start a finish in a day... and to be honest, I have project a.d.d. If I can't finish it pretty quickly, I lose interest!



I was so busy going back and forth between the two gals that I didn't have a chance to work on a skirt for myself.  So last Friday night I taught my boyfriend's daughter how to sew and I worked on a skirt for myself at the same time.  When I picked out my fabric I chose a fabric with a subtle yellow detail so I could expand the amount of things I have to wear with my favorite yellow shoes. Surprised?

Here are a few of the steps along the way...

 

Look closely and you can see the start of a pocket on the side panel.



Pinning the front panel to the side panel.



A better picture of the pocket after the side panel was attached to the front panel.

 

Doing a top stitch along the side seam and a close-up of the fabric.



I'm really happy with the finished product.  I think I may add a button in the middle of each of the pockets to hold them closed.  It would also help the skirt to look a little less bulky on the sides.  I like this pattern for the most part and will use it again.  It is easy enough for me to alter and was great as a quick project. 

While I've been sewing since I was in 5th grade, I don't usually prefer sewing clothes.  Most of my projects are blankets, bags, whimsical purses and other little projects.  I can't tell you how many clothing projects I've started and walked away from more than half way through. I either get overly ambitious with my pattern choices or I find that the size I picked is WAY too small a good ways into the project

My biggest advice to any beginning seamstresses (or even forgetful people like myself) is to go by your measurements and NOT your size.  Case in point - when I took my measurements, I fit in to a size 22 on the pattern and typically when I go shopping I buy anywhere from a size 12-16.

Something about a poofy skirt makes me want to spin like a little girl and jump around... and I took pictures to prove it! 

By the way, hair today is compliments of the Bed Head Deep Waver... I'm a fan! It heats up in 30 seconds, provided nice waves, and was really easy to use.  Thank you Bed Head for sending the Deep Waver!

Outfit Details
Skirt Pattern: Simplicity 2224
Skirt: I Made It!
White T-Shirt: Old Navy
Black Elastic Belt: New York & Company
Yellow Flower Wedges: Steve Madden via Off Broadway Shoes
Yellow Beaded Necklace: Macy's