Khaki Skirt - New Look 6035

You know how sometimes you just have one of "those days"?  Well this has been one of "those projects".  You know the ones where it’s supposed to be simple and for one reason or another, or in this case several reasons, it turned to be not as quick and simple as I was expecting. There was nothing wrong with the pattern it was just....one of “those projects”.

I've enjoyed working with fabric prints lately but it's time for me to add some summer basics to my wardrobe. I purchased this stretch cotton slightly brushed medium weight twill a couple of months ago in hopes of sewing up some pants but instead I stitched up an aline skirt using New Look 6035. 

For starters, I prewashed the fabric and it came out with stains.  I’m not sure if it was my machine or it was damaged when I bought it but, ugh. I counted it as a loss but after a few days I washed it again and got most of the stains out.  It wasn't enough for pants but there was enough to eek out a skirt.

The skirt is pretty plain and although I'm looking to add basics to my wardrobe, I wanted to avoid the "Armed Forces" look (there's nothing wrong with a uniform look except when it's not supposed to be a uniform). I looked to my "Sassy Skirts" Pinterest board for inspiration and decided to add pockets and belt loops with top stitching, back darts for shape and 6 inches to the length.

The skirt should’ve gone together easily and quickly and the instructions were good but it took quite a bit longer than the 2-3 hours it should have.  I put the invisble zipper in 3 times because I kept stitching too close to the coil (really?), I forgot to put the belt loops in the seam when attaching the waistband and found another stain on the fabric as I was working.  Thankfully, I was able to get it out.

Well folks, I persevered and came out with a skirt I’m happy with.  For sure someone needs to print a “#sticktoitiveness” t-shirt for me.  I’m having a little difficulty figuring out how to style it because the topstitched pockets make it a bit too casual for the tops I wear to work.  I think it looks best with a simple t-shirt and sandals or tennies.  Any ideas on styling?

A print sundress is under my sewing machine now.  I’ll share soon!

Diane

Blue Dot New Release - The Ally Skirt

The newest addition to the Blue Dot Patterns Collection is the Ally Skirt PDF Pattern!  It's now available on the BDP website!

To celebrate the new release, it's on sale for 30% off....just $7.00.

Ally has length and pocket options and best of all, it sews up really quick!

Head on over to the website and check it out!

I'm Happy To Announce....The Ally Skirt

I'm happy to announce the newest pattern in the Blue Dot Collection, The Ally Skirt PDF Pattern!

The Ally Skirt is a 6 gore skirt with 2 length options, button front, topstitching and flap or pocket

option (because we love our pockets!)  Instructions include directions for a custom fit. View A is above the knee a with flap and has a finished length of 17 1/2".  View B is knee length with an inset patch pocket and finishes at 22 1/2”. This pattern is designed for the beginning/intermediate sewer.

She doesn't take much fabric and is a really quick sew.  Ally is a great way to add to your wardrobe.  I hope it becomes one of your TNT patterns.

Upcraft Club is doing an exclusive release today so head on over and take a look!

The pattern will be available on the Blue Dot Website on June 3rd.

I hope you like it!

New Pattern Is On The Way...June 1st

I’ve got some happy news....

It might look like there hasn’t been much sewing going on here but really, it’s been a happy sewing marathon as I've been getting ready to add a pattern to the Blue Dot Collection.  I’m excited to announce I’ll be releasing a new pattern and her name is Ally!  

Upcraft Club will do an exclusive release June 1st and the pattern will hit the Blue Dot Website beginning June 3rd.  

More details about Ally coming soon...

The Healdsburg Skirt

A couple of months back, my husband and I went with our dear friends to Healdsburg to cheer our friend on as he competed in the annual "Vineman", an Ironman race set in the beauty of the California wine country.  Now I realize this trip wasn't about me since we went to offer race support to our friend during his long day of swimming, cycling and running but, I was able to eat some amazing food, enjoy the sun in the wine country and...hit a fabric store. Oh yeah!

Healdsburg winery with a croquet field

I visited Fabrications in darling downtown Healdsburg and picked up a couple of woven stripes including this blue one.  I want to say it's a Kaffe Fassett (but I could be lying) uneven stripe that's dreamy soft.  They only had 1 1/4 yards but I picked it up anyway.  I decided to sew it up this week in a skirt for my daughter.  Shhhh....it's a surprise.

I couldn't find a pattern so I decided to make a skirt similar to one she had on the last time she came home from college.  It's a slight aline skirt with pockets and wide waistband with elastic, belt loops and a self tie.

The skirt looked a little boxy when I finished it so I added a shirttail hem using my Sewaholic Granville shirt pattern as a loose guide.  The pattern was still sitting on my cutting table from using it last week.  It worked out great!

I hope she likes it!

A couple of pics from an early morning breakfast in Healdsburg with my favorite guy!  Healdsburg is  a beautiful place and I didn't even know it was there.  Have any of you been there?  Try not to miss it!

Summer Sewing with TNT Patterns - Fabricmart Fabricista

I'm happy to be back this month with a summer Fabricista project and some exciting news...

There's nothing more rewarding for a sewist than having a TNT (tried and true) pattern you love to make, is easy to wear and versatile enough that you can make it over and over with great results.  I decided to set out and do just that:  design a line of modern patterns with friendly fully illustrated instructions that sewers could use to build their sewing skills, fill their closets and add to their TNT pattern list.  So with that, I'm excited to announce Blue Dot Patterns, my new sewing patterns!

For my summer outfit, I used one of Blue Dot's first patterns, the Dover Jacket which comes with two views. View A is short sleeved with a single button closure and view B has a 3/4 length sleeve, gathered bodice and a three button closure.

I chose a lightweight stretch denim from Fabricmart (sadly it sold out) would be perfect for view A because it would look great with some decorative machine stitching.

The cotton/lycra fabric I used is light, has stretch and a soft brushed face but the jacket would also work in quilting cottons, like this polka dot, twills and ponte knits.

Dover is a loose fitting jacket with raglan sleeves that goes together quickly.  I bound the jacket facing with bias I made using a bias tape maker and fabric from my stash (I think it looks interesting when the jacket comes open) and added strips of interfacing to the bottom of the jacket to stabilize the hem.

My "Details" Pinterest board was the inspiration for the topstitching.  After testing several different stitches on my machine, I ended up using a "dot and stitch" design around the edge of the jacket.

I debated on adding topstitched pockets to the front but after seeking the opinions of those around the house, I opted not to this time but I will the next time around.  I used a Burberry button I had in my button tin (I have no idea where it came from) to finish everything off.  I love it with the skirt but I also like that it can dress up a simple t-shirt.

For the summer skirt I used a Colette pattern I had in my stash.  The Ginger skirt pattern became a TNT pattern for me a couple of years back but it's been a while since she's been pulled it out.  The high waist silhouette lends itself to this bold stretch shirting from Fabricmart.  This cotton/lycra fabric is crisp and bright with a slight sheen and best of all, it's easy to sew.

I lengthened the skirt about 2" and added a cotton batiste lining but didn't change anything else.  This pattern has great instructions and would be perfect for a beginning intermediate sewist.

Thank you for letting me share my Blue Dot news with you and for all my Fabricista friends, the patterns are 40% off through the end of July.

Happy Sewing,

Diane at Gatorbunnysews.

My First FabricMart Post - Shetalnd Wool "Boden" Skirt

Here is my first blog post as a Fabricista for FabricMart fabrics.  I feel so fortunate to be among all of the other amazing bloggers.  Here it is:

My Pinterest boards, like many of yours, are full of all sorts of “wanna wears” and “wanna makes”.  If you were to look at my boards you might say “This girl likes Boden clothing". Their clothes are classic but fun and their fabrics are never boring, something that speaks to the sewist in me.

Although it’s been unseasonably hot for a while where I live, I’ve been wanting to make something for winter and what better project than a Boden inspired skirt.  And I love this one!  It’s cute, classic, easy to wear and it gives me the opportunity to use wool, one of my favorite fabrics to sew with.

A small plaid Shetland wool from Fabricmart in muted violets and purples won out as my fabric choice but I would’ve been happy with this one  or this one too (always the problem...choosing just one).  Shetland is a medium weight springy wool, that’s soft and easy to sew.  It doesn’t fray and when you pin and sew, the fabric pieces want to stay together.

I chose Butterick 4686 View C skirt and made just a few changes.  I shortened the pattern 4” and lined it. I changed the order of construction by attaching yokes to the skirts on both the front and the back, putting the zipper in the back and  finally sewing up the side seams.  That way, I was allowed to make last minute fitting adjustments along the side seams without pulling the yokes apart. 

When working with a medium weight fabric, it's important to reduce bulk wherever possible.  I cut away the seam allowances on the fusible woven yoke interfacing and graded all seams.  Instead of using the outer for the facing (as the pattern called for) I used lining fabric.  It made for a smoother and less bulky yoke.  And any way I can make my middle section “less bulky”, I’ll do it (especially if it doesn’t involve giving up Reese’s peanut butter cups).

There are a hundred tutorials on how to put an invisible zipper in so I don’t need to cover that here, but for this pattern it was important to line up not only the skirt top but also the yoke. 

I sewed one leg of the zipper in, then closed the zipper.  I made a small chalk mark at the yoke seam (see above).  I then pinned the other leg of the zipper, making sure to match the chalk mark to the opposite yoke seam, then I basted it in.  

I checked to make sure everything matched, then sewed it in.  Can’t beat that for matched up seams.

So, my new favorite “Boden” skirt (for a fraction of the price!) is the first winter piece I made this season.  Great way to break the ice, don't you think...so to speak?

Here is my review on PatternReview.com.