Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Sew What! Skirts

So I'm pretty much a beginning seamstress. I can do basic, basic stuff like pillows, curtains, aprons, etc. I also must admit that I HATE using patterns, I'd much rather make something up myself or copy something I have. So I was ecstatic when my sister (who is a mathematician, and loves using patterns, lol) pointed me in the direction of a book called Sew What! Skirts, which is basically a book that encourages and helps you to make your own skirts without patterns. I HAD to have it, so I went searching for it and ended up going to 2 different bookstores in order to find it last weekend, lol. But I was so glad I did!

There are so many great ideas in this book, and it's easy enough that even a beginner like me can do it. So, I pulled out a circle skirt panel that my sis had bought me when I got a sewing machine from hubby on my birthday a couple years ago. (Don't worry, I asked for it specifically, lol). Unfortunately, the circle skirt panel was a bit too small, so I decided to cut the waist a bit wider, but of course this had the result of shortening the skirt. I like to be comfy in my skirts and not have to worry that I'm flashing people, so after reading Sew What! Skirts, I took the idea of a layered skirt and decided to just add a longer layer underneath. It was a tad more difficult than the book because I had to make some changes here and there (because the book uses two A-line skirts, not a circle skirt and an A-line skirt). The result is below:



It's not the greatest skirt in the world, but it's my first! I'm proud. :-) I hope there are many more to come! And for anyone who needs inspiration or encouragement to do your own thing with the sewing machine, especially when it comes to skirts, I highly recommend this book!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very nicely done, and decent ;)

Anonymous said...

Thanks; I think I'm going to get this book as a surprise for my wife.

Who hopefully doesn't read here....

Stephanie said...

Ooh good idea!!

Stephanie said...

Thanks Erik :-)

Sarah said...

Congratulations! I love to see the enthusiasm of new sewists. ("Sewers" doesn't look right.) You did a great job. If you hate patterns, you might want to look around the internet for free sewing projects. Especially the historical re-enactment costuming sites tend to have simple projects you draft yourself. Also look at rostitchery. (Google - it'll come right up.)

Stephanie said...

Prairie, I think you just gave me a new addiction...what a great blog!! Lol, thanks! :-D

rowena___. said...

congratulations, it's BEAUTIFUL! wear it with pride, and when friends ask you where you got it, you will have the honor of telling them it was custom made just for YOU!

Stephanie said...

Wow, it's rostitchery herself! I'm now addicted to your blog, btw, and just introduced my sister to it today (the one that told me about the book, lol.)

Thanks!! :-D

FloridaWife said...

This skirt is gorgeous!!!