Sunday, October 23, 2011

It's Garment Time!

Yes, I'm the Rabid Quilter but sometimes I have to return to my roots. My mom taught me to sew when I was in grade school by making aprons. I took sewing in 4-H, then more lessons at a Singer store in my home town--yes, there were entire stores devoted to sewing machines, lessons and fashion fabric--then in Home Ec in high school. I can't say I was completely successful because the clothes I made didn't really fit that well, but I was proud of what I made and at this point in my life, I feel it was a great start to my knowledge of sewing.

This week I made a skirt. Doesn't sound exciting but let me tell you that I made it by copying my favorite off-the-rack skirt I purchased a couple of years ago. I've worn this lightweight, slightly stretchy black and white skirt a LOT and thought I'd love to have a couple more of them in different colors. Without taking the skirt apart, (wouldn't want to ruin my favorite skirt!) I managed to copy it on to paper, a technique I learned quite a while ago in one of my favorite magazines, Threads. I looked in a few Joann Fabric stores before I found a lightweight, slightly stretchy, non-knit fabric. (Super stretchy, knit fabric, ala t-shirts, is easy to find but wouldn't work for this skirt). Sure wish there were as many fashion fabric shops now as there were when I was young!

This skirt has no facings, using only a double fold, pre-packaged bias tape and an invisible zipper so it was super easy to make and after only a tiny bit of tweaking, I had success! The top I'm wearing is one I bought at Coldwater Creek a few minutes after I'd bought the fabric. I brought the fabric into the store to match it and the ladies there probably had no idea why I would be making something instead of buying it. Well, ladies, I paid $7.50 for the fabric (with my 40% off coupon) $1.79 for the zipper and $1.55 for the binding. A little over an hour to make the skirt and a priceless amount of satisfaction!!

What do you think?

5 comments:

Denise :) said...

Very nice! There is something very satisfying about wearing something your yourself created, huh?! :)

Jennifer Woo said...

That is fantastic!! I would love to make quick skirts and stuff but spending far too much time on applique these days.

Anonymous said...

You are so right! If only we could easily find fashion fabrics. I COULD fit myself and was much better dressed once upon a time! Your skirt and top look great. Quilting does satisfy the fabric addiction though.
Donna in KS

Lori said...

Well, I was thinking you got great legs girl! ROFL!! Yes, it was a great steal--making the skirt. Now, I can do garment construction just fine--its my BODY that is the problem! So I mostly stick to quilts--I can make them flat without my lumps and bulges.

LuAnn said...

Very nice! Is that a One Block Wonder quilt I saw in the earlier post that you were teaching? WOW. Looking at that makes me want to start just one more project. You've been busy.