Pretty in Paisley Skirt

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This skirt was a great afternoon sewing project.  My sweet husband kept the kids (mostly) out of my craft room to allow me some glorious (mostly) uninterrupted sewing time.  I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, especially since my skills are a bit rusty.  There are lots of little (and big) imperfections, but it's totally wearable and I think it's cute!

I used New Look Sewing Pattern 6354, view F, for my pattern.  I did make a few changes.  I added a lining, so I cut two of each of the skirt pieces.  I also didn't add any ribbon detail around the waist.  Another minor thing that I added was some top-stitching around the very top, it looks more finished and it helps keep the elastic in place. 

The pretty paisley fabric came from the Walmart clearance section.  As did the turquoise material used on the yoke.  (I can't remember where the tan fabric that I used for the lining came from; it was probably on clearance at either Walmart or Joann's.)

There are no visible raw edges on the skirt.  I dislike raw edges, because I think they make a garment look a little frumpy -- even when the wearer is the only one to see them.  (It's a personal thing, and believe me, I don't mind them on other people's stuff!)

Here's the inside of the skirt, where you can see the lining. (You can also see some of my very messy seams, oh well.)  The lining's right side is facing in (towards my legs), making the wrong sides of both fabrics face one another.

I hemmed the lining about an inch higher than the skirt.  For this hem I simply folded the material over, ironed it, then folded it once more to hide the raw edge, ironed again and finished it with a zigzag stitch.  The skirt hem I folded, ironed, zigzag stitched, then folded again and did a straight line top-stitch.  

I made a reversible skirt with this same pattern a couple of years ago. 

 

Rachel: The Philosopher's Wife

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How to Make a Lined (or Reversible) Skirt

I recently purchased a new sewing pattern.  I really liked the shorts, and ultimately that's why I bought the pattern, but also was attracted to the skirts.  After making a couple of pairs of shorts I decided to once again raid my stash and make a skirt!

I wanted to add a lining to my skirt.  The cotton fabric prints, while super cute, are often rather see-through--especially in the sun!  Certainly not a very modest look.  I decided that I wanted to make the lining nice enough that it could even be considered the "right side" which would make it reversible!

The pattern that I used, view F of New Look #6354, is very simple with only four pieces: skirt front, skirt back, yoke front, and yoke back.

To add the lining simply cut another set of skirt front and skirt back.

Sew the bottom edges of skirt fronts together--with right sides facing.

Long tube of fabric before pressing seams.

Do the same thing with the skirt backs.

Press seams.  (I hate ironing.  Really hate it.  However, when sewing an iron is your best friend. Use it.  Even if you hate it like me.)

Matching hem seams sew the sides.  Start at the top of fabric one and sew all the way down the side and finish at the top of fabric two.  Repeat on the other side.  At this point you should have a long tube of fabric.

Skirt Hem -- Notice how nice and finished
both the "right" and the "wrong" sides are.

Press seams open.

Pull the bottom half of the tube over the top half with the seams neatly hidden inside.

Carefully press the hem.  Top-stitch--I kept the edge of the skirt along the very edge of the foot.

Press the entire skirt make sure that there aren't any strange bunches or wrinkles and that the two fabrics are lying together nicely.

Proceed per instructions for adding the yoke.  (I used 1.5 inch elastic and did not add a drawstring or ribbon.)

Not only am I very pleased with the resulting skirt it was a fairly frugal project--everything was either on sale, clearance, or I had a coupon.  This project cost less than five bucks.  Not bad!

First Note:
I did not make the yoke with one fabric on one side and the other on the reverse--but it would have been easy enough to do and this would make it completely reversable.  The next skirt I make I will do it this way.  I will cut the yoke in half width-wise and add a seam allowance.  Then I will continue pretty much the same way that I did when making the skirt part.

"Wrong" side of waistband.  I do think
that it is nice enough, and co-ordinates
enough that it could be worn "wrong"side out.

"Right" side of waistband.  

Second Note:
I am not an expert seamstress by any stretch of the imagination.  This is just what worked for me. There is probably a much more "proper" way to do this!


I enjoyed looking through PatternReview.com before actually purchasing this pattern.  You can check out the reviews to this pattern here.

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Sewing a (Practice) Pair of Shorts

I mentioned before my need for a new pair of shorts.  This past weekend I scoured Goodwills all over the area to find a pair that fit nicely--with no strange bulges, gaps, creases, or pulling.  I also did not want short shorts.  Apparently, I am a strange size because I tried on at least a dozen pairs and none met my criteria.

New Look 6354

I've been perusing so many crafty blogs lately that I was inspired to use my incredibly rusty sewing skills.  After looking for patterns online for awhile I decided that I liked this one.  It is an easy pattern and supposedly only takes two hours!

This past weekend we went thrift store and fabric shopping.  It had been ages since I was able to peruse the aisles of a fabric store.  I had so much fun.  I eventually settled on on fabrics for two pairs of shorts (and maybe more!).  Somehow I did manage to misread signs, because on one of the pieces of fabric I ended up paying more than double what I thought I would.  Oh well, our normally frugal lifestyle allows for small hiccups and mistakes.  (The shorts will still be cheaper than the pair that fit me best at Target.)

Even though once upon a time I had some sewing skills and this pattern didn't look difficult I was a little hesitant to make that first cut (especially since I felt like I overpaid for my fabric!).  I decided to make a practice pair.  So I brought out some fabric from my stash.  The fabric pattern is one that I like--but is maybe a little odd for shorts; however, it had been in my stash since before I got married and I picked it up super cheap from a Wal-Mart clearance bin.

I am glad that I started with a practice pair.  They turned out pretty well--but there certainly are some flaws/things I need to work out.  I think that there is a little too much fabric in the front and that causes it to droop a little strangely.  I don't think that I am going to add elastic (at least to both pairs).  The drawstring with bow adds a nice touch.  I also think that I will make one pair of shorts a little longer and another pair a little shorter.  It was obvious that it had been awhile since my last big sewing project--I wasn't as steady and confident as I had been, my seams weren't perfectly straight, I had to rip out an entire seam, etc.

(By the way, it is absolutely impossible to get a decent picture of yourself in your new shorts with your toddler running around and no sunshine.  Just sayin'.)

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