Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Unselfish Sewing

DD decided to wear a skirt to school!!!!

So she asked me to make her a simple black skirt and it was a go, especially since I had black thread in both the sewing machine and the serger. 

I decided on a gathered skirt with 1.3 times her hip measurement and a simple fold over waistband. 


This child wanted it a little shorter (this is 16"). Uhmm. No. "Do you want a skort?" Ok then...

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I made matching mommy and me outfits for my friend and baby! Ok, "made" is a stretch...it's the pre-shirred fabric designed to be midi length. 

Baby K ended up with a banded bottom.  I didn't like how long the shirred section was and I cut off several inches (and did a 3 thread narrow overlock on the cut edge) and then added the band. I also added straps (7" for a 2 1/2 year old). 

Bonus: no hemming! 


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So, when the April Burda came out I was all over it and gaga and wanted all the things. I think June took April's spot. 

I made the most adorable top and shorts from the June issue for baby K. I've not used Burda's kids patterns before so I thought to use a 4T or size 98. I had to go down to the smaller size. I am totally in love. I really want to make a striped version of this top for her. I'll have to see how it fits.






It went together FAST. Even if I didn't know what in the Sam hell Burda wanted me to do with the button plackets.

I interfaced the buttonhole sides on the front of the shirt, folded over a narrow 1/8" and top stitched. 
I cut bands for the button side and stitched to the back. I also folded over the narrow 1/8" and top stitched.
Next time I'll double this side and interface it so it is sturdier for buttons.

I got the fabric from Walmart. A 100% cotton for a cool $1.50/yard! Woohoo!!

I decided to make only the left placket functional because hello, buttonholes. I used bias tape to finish the neckline. Now, if you bother to read Burda's instructions, please do as they say and sew the bias tape FIRST so that you can space the buttonholes and buttons properly ((Ask me how I know))





The shorts went together super fast too.  I used the fabric from the top for pocket bags (I forgot to topstitch). I left off the back pockets, created a fold over casing and used 3/4" elastic for the waistband. Fabric is leftover from my black S1430 shorts

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While I had the tracing materials out I decided to trace off the pleated top too. I think I made my markings wrong and this voile is pretty dang sheer, but this shirt is a winner. It is so cute! I think challis will be a great option for it. Crisp enough to take a nice pleat but flowy enough to not be stiff. If I were not afraid of silk it would be an amazing option!



I won't be making the pleats on the back...the back will be plain. Ignore the 3rd pleat. It was the second one til I realized it was wrong...

There is seriously 7 more things from this issue I want to sew. June will be epic.