All American Summer Skirt

I've been having issues making the skirt out of Brett Bara's book "Sewing a Straight Line;" the measurements are just off.  So I stopped by Hancock today and picked up a new pattern for a super fast and simple skirt.  I wanted it to be easy and summery.  I choose:
Pattern: New Look 6054 in View D.
Fabric: All American Girl Tossed Floral Blue - 100% Cotton from Fabric.com (FH-957)

Slight A shape to the skirt.  It has elastic in the waist as well as a drawstring.  It turned out a lot shorter than I imagined!  I really don't care for my knees so I like my skirts to be longer; however I do love, love, love the fabric and I like the skirt nonetheless.  I foresee this pattern being a staple for me (but longer).  I plan on making the longer skirts next.  Oh! and the fabric was on sale so I picked up the yard and a half for only $9!!  This cute skirt cost me $9 YAY!
I'm entering this in the SkirtWeek Challenge at Crafterhours!  The deadline is Tomorrow at Midnight!
My Cotton Voile came today from fabric.com too so I can hopefully make my last skirt, the Tropicana Maxi Skirt (FREE download!) from Hot Patterns at Fabric.com before the deadline for SkirtWeek tomorrow.  I'm really pumped about this skirt too!

Simplicity 2377 - Oh how I love you!

This is the 3rd time I have used this pattern.  I love it so much!  It is easy to sew, fast to make, and each time the dresses turn out so wonderful!  I first sewed Miss K a Kitty Dress in View C and then at Easter sewed up View B.  Now that it is getting hot here in Wisconsin I wanted Miss K to have some cooler dresses so I sewed up View E today.  The fabric is a definite favorite; it is so soft and silky feeling.  I love how lightweight it is.

Pattern: Simplicity 2377; View E, Size 7
Fabric: Jolie Fleur Shirting Floral Dots White/Green 100 % Polyester; purchased at Fabric.com #ET-976

I had no problems with the pattern although it was really fun to turn the straps right-side out! Everything went together smoothly and I love how it turned out.  I did shorten the elastic length for the neckline because in previous dresses it was too big.  I used a size 5 1/2 for the neck and it turned out perfect!  I used a 7 for the rest of the dress and it is true to size for Miss K.

Back of the Dress

Front of the Dress

Straps of the dress

Miss K thinks you need a dress-in-action shot :-)

Ah, Lazy Summer Days!

Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress

I've had this pattern sitting on my kitchen island for a good 2-3 weeks now.  I had the fabric ready to go too.  I just couldn't get myself to start on it.  I love the look of the dress it is adorable.  I've swooned over the pattern for a good 3 months before buying it.  Yesterday I finally forced myself to get to it.  When I laid out the purple material I found I didn't have enough to cut 4 of the bottom tier but it is a thicker fabric anyway so 2 was all it needed.
The purple is a cute pique I got from Hancock a while back. The pink is a "Woven 1/4" Daisy Gingham Pink" from Fabric.com (DV-509 to be exact) and is a 80% polyester and 20% cotton blend.  It is cute and light for summer.
The pattern was crazy strange to me.  I guess I'm just so used to the McCall's, Vogue's and Simplicity's.  I don't really care for the paper pattern, I much prefer the tissue paper but it was workable.  The directions threw me for a loop many times and thankfully there were pictures to help me along the way.  The Yolk was nuts!  and putting it on the dress was not my idea of fun.  After struggling through the steps I finally got the thing assembled.  I love the dress.  I think it may be a little too snug on the yolk for Miss K in a 7 so next time it will be in an 8.  Now that I got the idea of the steps it won't be as hard to make another one; it is just the cutest thing!  We took a trip to the library, ice cream shop, and strolled along the city streets.  It was a fun day.

Fabric Friday Giveaway Winner!

This week's winner of the Fabric Friday Giveaway is JoyceLM!  Joyce I will be contacting you via email.  Congrats!  Thanks to those that participated and make sure to try again for the next Giveaway on June 15th!

JoyceLMJune 2, 2012 8:12 AM

I'm a GFC follower & also received your posts by email. I enjoy sewing for myself the most - by that I mean I enjoy the process of choosing a pattern, selecting fabric & then sewing everything together. What I make is usually given to family members, friends or charity donations. Thanks for the giveaway.

This Week's List

I have a lot planned for this week.  I hope I can get it all done! Here is my list of stuff to do:

1. finish Miss K's Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress (today)
2. make 3 sets of PJ's for Miss K and 1 for Mr. T
3. When I get my fabric Wednesday from fabric.com make the Tropicana Maxi Skirt (FREE download!). this will be for skirtweek @ Crafterhours
4. Make the "sewing school skirt" from Brett Bara from her book "Sewing in a Straight Line"  Will be my final entry in the SkirtWeek @ Crafterhours challenge!
5. Make a tank top from B4800

Ambitious list for this week considering I need to add in a trip to visit my Grandma, a trip to the pool and children's museum to amuse Miss K and 3 trips to the Chiropractor to keep my migraines at bay.  I hope I can get through all on my list and still be sane!  Have a good week all!