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:
Very nice! There is something very satisfying about wearing something your yourself created, huh?! :)
That is fantastic!! I would love to make quick skirts and stuff but spending far too much time on applique these days.
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
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.
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.
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