The Lazy Seamstress ::: Full Gathered Skirt Tutorial

Today is my birthday, and I wanted something new for myself.  What I really wanted was a heavy circle skirt made out of luscious material.  But I DO own a sewing machine, and I DON'T have a very large disposable income.........

So I made one.

Three things you should know about THIS seamstress.

1.  I am a lazy seamstress.  I don't like to sew fussy things.  I don't like to measure, let alone add interfacing, binding, zippers, and the like.  I CAN do those things, I just prefer not to.

2.  I don't "do" patterns.  Every time I do, I feel like I'm taking my physics finals all over again.  I start to get the shakes, sweat all over the fabric, and sew things inside out and backwards.  Without fail. Every. single. time.

3.  I don't "write" patterns either.  I fiddle around with something, fold it, twist it, and make something up on the spot.  I'm usually lucky if I can remember what I did the next day.  So, please excuse me if this tutorial sucks raw lemons.  I thought this was too easy to screw up, and hopefully I'm right! :)


Materials:
6 yards (or less if you want it less "full") of whatever fabric you have lying around.  I happened to have this lovely dupioni I've been hoarding for over a year.
Length of 3/4" elastic to match your waist.
OPTIONAL: ribbon trim for "waistband".  Whatever length your fabric is.  I highly recommend the trim, as it hides the "laziness" of your double duty casing/waistband.

There are only 3!! steps to this "Lazy women's skirt."  I figure it will make more sense if I tell the story in my pitiful mousepaint pictures than if I tried to over-explain it with inadequate wording.

You COULD french seam, add a "real" waistband, increase the casing size for wider elastic, add trim to the bottom, etc.  This is just a starting point. :)

***CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE if you can't read them***

See?  It's easy. It took me ten minutes.  If you have questions, don't be shy!  Now I just need a gold tank to go with this, and some new shoes.  Man, how I wish I could just make THOSE.  Imagine..... making your own shoes.  I'd never leave the house.

♥Rose

Embellished Fingerless Gloves- Tutorial!!!!!!

I make a lot of fingerless gloves for my Etsy store, and I've gotten some excellent feedback about them.  I use them at the computer, or while texting or driving. *not at the same time, of course.. ;P*  They do come in handy!  One of the pairs that I hear alot about are embellished with ribbon, like these:

I pleated the ribbon on these..

We'll be making some like this...

So, I've put together a tutorial, from start to finish!  Go find an old sweater that mysteriously shrank.  (Because our waistlines don't grow, our clothing just gets smaller every time we wash it.)  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

So, what you'll need:

1.  One old sweater, with long sleeves.  I like Merino or Cashmere for mine, as these are the softest.  For more warmth for outdoor wear, go with lambswool.  Or just choose whatever you've got.  We'll not be felting these (though you could), and hemming them to avoid any pesky unraveling.

2.  About 17" of ribbon.  Any old ribbon will do.  I like the fancy-pancy ribbon.  But grosgrain or any lacy trim would be cute too!

3.  Your sewing stuff.  Scissors/rotary cutter, sewing machine, thread.

4.  Two buttons.  These are optional, but recommended, as the hem at the forearm tends to be a bit too baggy to stay up in an unfelted set of fingerless gloves. 

Step 1: Cut off the sleeves at the underarm.  Pull the sleeve out so it is straight, and you don't get a triangle shape at the top.  Put the rest of the sweater aside for future upcycling into things like dread bands, cowls, or scarves...

Step 2:  Roll the top of the arm portion down twice to hide the raw edges.  Pin.

 Step 3:  Using the arm of your sewing machine, sew around the top of the arm- I used a zigzag stitch this time.

Step 4:  Cut two strips of ribbon of 8.5".  Add fray check to the edges of the ribbon.

Step 5:  Pin the strips of ribbon to each glove, beginning at the wrist and folding the edges under, making sure to keep it straight.

Step 6: I hand sew my ribbon down.  I still can't seem to figure out how to shove that sleeve into the feed dogs of the sewing machine, and keep it perfectly straight.

Step 7: I usually add buttons at the forearm by making a pleat pointing to the outside of the arm, securing it with the button.

Step 8: Put on, and type away.  Hands stay warm and fashionable!

Please send me a link if you make some of these!  I'd love to see how everyone else uses their creative half of their brain!

rose.

ETA: Please, make these for gifts, not for sale.  That's just plain rude. :P

Upcycled Skirt to Apron Tutorial

As promised, something to work on this weekend.

A lovely unused skirt becomes an apron.

Have any old skirts laying around that you never wear, don't look good on you, or are just the wrong size?  Hmm.. I have all of those.  Instead of donating them, I've been chopping them up to make aprons.  Most of them already have a waistband, shaping, and a hem!  If I get really lucky, there are pockets...

So, a few words of wisdom to start out with:

1.  Only use skirts that are mostly cotton for aprons that will actually be used to absorb things.  Fancier skirts make fancier aprons- cocktail party apron anyone?  (I don't know anyone who still has Bridge parties, or I'd suggest one of those...)

2.  The smaller sizes 0-6 make lovely aprons with a single side seam cut.  Cut both for larger size skirts, and you have two apron fronts, or use one side to make a bib for the apron.. Still working on that idea.

3.  I use bias binding in this tutorial- it really saves me time- but you could just as easily do a double hem on the sides of the skirt.

4.  Let creativity rule- this is a very basic apron.  Think of all the fun pockets and embellishments you could make!

So, first things first-

 You'll need-
1.  Skirt in question
2.  Extra fabric * if you're cutting up both side seams, you could just use the back of the skirt....
3.  Double Fold bias tape * or hem up the sides.
4.  Scissors/Rotary Cutter
5.  Pins, Sewing machine...

Steps:

1.  Cut the seams.

2.  Cut fabric for pockets, if desired.  I cut a long rectangle, fold it in half; right sides together.  Then sew all the way around it, leaving a small opening for turning.  Turn right side out, press, and sew onto skirt, with folded edge as the top of the pocket.

4.  Attach double fold binding to the side seams.

 

5.  Make Ties.  I've chosen to keep the original waistband intact.  So I cut ties twice as long as I'd need so they can wrap around to the front.

6.  Fold them in half, long ways.  Sew all but one short edge, and turn right side out.  Press.

I turn all my ties with a giant knitting needle.

7.  Attach Ties.  I do this just inside the bias tape on the wrong side of the apron.

8.  Wrap around yourself, make some tea, and enjoy your upcycling craftiness.

 Go- get busy!