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Inspired by Jessica‘s fantastic sewing kit for her diamonds quilts, I put together a similar kit for my diamonds quilt as well as the hand quilting I’m doing (and it’s all ready to go for bindings, too). So far it’s so handy I can’t believe I ever lived without it. Here’s a peek:
All this organization has paid off–look what I made!
I wanted to try out the shirred skirt using Anna Marie Horner’s with elastic instead of elastic thread. I love my shirred skirts, but a decent tug from Ellie does send them shooting down to my ankles. I used just two pieces of elastic instead of three for two reasons: (1) I’m lazy and (2) I was worried that with another layer of elastic it would sit higher on my waist and shorten the skirt (I live in fear of exposing my behind to the school parking lot as I get Ellie in and out of her carseat). But I think (2) was really just an attempt to justify (1).
Since I didn’t want to line the skirt (I was worried with the quilting cotton it would be too bulky) I created a little waistband lining that is so cute I’ve decided I want to try one with the lining on the outside of the skirt.
So cute – love the fabrics! The two rows of elastic are just perfect – and simpler! Cute. I should have done just two rows of elastic as well. I might just pull it out. It does rest too high on my waist. I’m glad to see it worked with quilting cotton. I might try it sometime. That lining is gorgeous!!!! I just can’t help it. Shirred stuff just makes me think of pregnancy. *shudder* Although, I’m sure with your figure every thing looks fantastic on you!!! i love it! I am wondering, did you still use your 1 yard fabric measurements or did you follow AMH’s pattern for the fabric requirements? This pretty little combination reminds me of spring and inspires me:
This stack–my ‘inbox’ for clothes I plan to sew–has grown too large and instead of inspiring, it stresses me out. I desperately need to stop adding projects to my pile and complete the projects already planned. My eyes are always bigger than the hours in my day!
The three knits on the left are for skirts for me, the next four are to be turned into dresses for Ellie (though that red plaid may be moved back into MY pile–I think it would be the cutest ‘back to school’ style skirt), the purples are for a patchwork skirt, and the hope valley is being more hoarded than intended for anything. The yellow wool will be the cutest pencil skirt in existance, the pintuck fabric is for a skirt, and the cream is for lining waistbands of the skirts currently in my sewing machine. Add to that two already cut circle skirts…and I imagine that even if I sewed exclusively from this basket, I’d have more than enough projects to round out May and June! In other clothing news, I saw on fellow FRMQGer Audrey’s blog that there are two upcoming garment sew-alongs that are interesting. The first is the Kid’s Clothes Week Challenge which starts Monday. For seven days, sew an hour a day on clothing for the little ones. We have family coming into town Friday, so I won’t be sewing on Saturday or Sunday, but I plan on making up for it during the week by sewing two hours most days. I have two Oliver + S patterns for Ellie, and I’d like to complete one and make a go of another. The second sew-along is The Summer of No Pants–a skirt sewing (and wearing challenge). The wearing part would be perfect for me, since I’ve devoted lots of time this spring to making skirts (I have at least half a dozen now), but the timing of the sew along doesn’t work. I’m planning on taking the kids back to Seattle for a large chunk of that time, and my own personal plan had been to have most of my skirts finished by the end of May so I would be able to enjoy them for the whole summer. I also have some family memory documenting on my docket. I’ve got two great groupons for Blurb, but they expire in June and July, which means I need to get cracking on the Disneyland, 2010-in-review and 2009-in-review albums I have planned for the coupons! I’m also hoping to have our 2010 home movie/slideshow done by the end of May (though June is probably more likely)–these movies take a ridiculous amount of hours for me to edit, organize, and add soundtracks to! I have the same type of scary stack that was threatening to topple over my sewing machine and stopping me from sewing so i took the plunge and got cutting out projects the other day. Glad i am not alone in the overwhelming sewing “inbox” I can’t wait to see what you make! I may only get a couple days in on the Kid’s Week sew, but it is better than nothing! I spent a lot of time cutting this week, and created this pretty little rainbow :
I thought that linen might be pretty for the stars, but decided on white. (Although I’m toying with the idea of various shades of white and cream.)
Wow Great Colors for your quilt! I need to catch up to everyone! I love the white! I can’t wait to see how beautifully this comes together for you! I love the idea of various shades of white and cream idea. that would definitely give it the vintage look…you could just throw a few random linen pieces in there for interest, too, if you’re brave enough. 😉 Looks to be amazing either way! I bought this red fabric about 100 years ago to make the ‘5 minute skirt’ tutorial from Angry Chicken. It’s a bias cut a line skirt with a fold over elastic waistband and rolled hem. I finally made the skirt this weekend. I’m just plowing through old projects!
It’s okay. It’s certainly fast, and I enjoy the idea of the fold over elastic waistband. However I’m not crazy about how it fits and the pattern itself is only okay (but free, so I trust that I’m not complaining–just noting that it’s not my favorite). Here are my notes in case you try it: I wasn’t sure if by waist measurement I was supposed to use my actual waist (as in the smallest part of me) or where I wanted the skirt to hit on my waist. I went with the latter, since it’s larger. I ended up needing to chop 3″ off the skirt (the exact 3″ that she has you add to your measurement, so I’m guessing maybe you’re supposed to use your actual waist and the 3″ lets it sit lower). It didn’t need any ease–once I’d altered the skirt it measured exactly where I wanted it to sit (I think because of the bias cut). The straight waistline doesn’t work so well. There’s a lot of ‘extra’ at the top when you put it on–it kind of bunches near the belly button and small of the back and then dips down at the sides. But that makes sense when you look at most commercial patterns, since the waistline dips in the center and the waistline is curved for those patterns. So if you make the pattern, don’t leave the top straight–curve it down in the center. (I need to dig out my pattern drafting book to remember exactly the right way to do that.) You definitely need it to dip down at the hemline, too (it’s noted in the pattern as optional)–otherwise the skirt comes down at the sides much longer and has a strange triangle shape thing going on. I had actually curved it by the 1/2″ she recommended, but needed a lot more taken off. The sweep is too wide for my taste–instead of adding 22″ I’d try adding 18″. Bottom line: Okay, but not great. And even if it only takes 5 minutes, you’re still using precious fabric! For the extra thirty minutes (and because the fabric yardage required is 2 yards in each case) I’ll stick with my latest variation of the yard sale wrap skirt. Thanks for sharing your assessment! I was just about to embark on the 5-minute skirt but your comments made me realize that I should probably stick with my own 15-minute version. I make a casing for mine and add self-fabric “ties” to the elastic, which I think makes it look a bit less like I made it in 15 minutes. (but just a bit.) |
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Neicee - so jealous! I got my box today and patis in the mail today..Need to get motivated to do the rest…Looks good girl!
susan riddell - Hi traci , Your sewing box is great , it makes a big difference if you have everything within reach when you do these projects. it’s so good if you go away , all you have to do is pick up the box and your ready to go and stitch when you feel like it. I don’t have a lovely box like yours but have 2 big zippered see thru bags with all my bits for making these stars. In often get a heap prepared and put into ziplock bags and then stitch when i feel like it. I really like the white centered stars you are doing too. sue~n.z.
Sandra in WA - I was looking for a box that kind of style at J’s last November for a birthday gift for my DD. She has started sewing in the last year and I bought her a bunch of notions for her birthday. This is just the kind of holder I would love to have found. Wish I had seen this post a few days ago and I would have picked her up one for Mother’s Day. (She is now the mom of a beautiful 5 month old baby girl).
I’m going to be looking for this box. Thanks for letting me know it was out there.
jessica - this is A-mazing!
you’re totally ready to go. i’m in awe of how many diamonds you’ve cut, do you want to come over and cut some more for me?!
🙂
great job, happy piecing!
Audrey - Your stars are looking beautiful!
Angela - oh fun! What a great box to help be prepared!
Suzanne - This is just a dream! It totally appeals to my organizational self. I’m sure it’s so handy for on the go work. Thanks for sharing!