Tried something different for me today

Nov 18, 2007 30 Replies

My youngest DD wants some skirts and I wanted a book called "Sew What Skirts." Bought the book,it teaches skirt drafting. I got her measurements when I saw her last weekend and drafted a straight skirt today, cut it out, have most of it together. Now I have to wait until I see her on over the holiday, try it on her and then I can add the waistband and hem it. The best part is I used some fabric from the stash for my toile. That way after I make the adjustments she can wear it. I like the idea of drafting my own pattern rather than buying one. This way I know I made it to her measurements without making a lot of pattern adjustments. Juno


Cool let us know how it works out!

Beverly, cooking meat loaf, acorn squash and a baked potato in the new stove, and the house smells wonderful.

That must be so rewarding, Juno!! And having her measurements before drafting will minimize any adjustments. Before you know it, all the women in the family, ncluding the DGDs, will "need" new skirts. Emily

Your house must smell great. I made some cranberry sauce this afternoon for the big day and leek and barley soup for dinner tonight. If I make anything with an onion or leek base DH starts drooling. The man loves the smell of onions cooking. I'll get back about the skirt on Saturday. We will be staying over until then. The men are playing golf on Friday and the moms are making cookies.I much rather make cookies than go out and freeze my butt off playing golf.

I'm getting to be the busy little skirt maker lately it seems. The DGD's I made the skirts for have put in a request for more. They all want pink and white this time. The directions were so easy to follow for DD's skirt. It took me about

15 minutes to draft and cut out the pattern. I really struggle with commercial patterns trying to get adjustments correct. This should work really well for me because my body comes nowhere near the way any commercial pattern is made. I also found instructions for making pants for myself. After the holiday I'll ask my friend to do my measurements and give them a try. Juno

Where did you find them?

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well as omitting the fact that different people need different amounts of additional height to the center back seam. But I have seen that method demonstrated somewhere before and like it better than other methods I have seen.

I have cranberries and oranges waiting... And a bottle of red cooking wine! My family like my cranberry & orange sauce for Christmas. I'm off out to order the venison in a few minutes!

You know, cranberry sauce is a gloroius colour... Must see what I can find in the way of fabric that colour! A nice cord would make a brilliant skirt!

That sounds like Christmas prezzies all sewn up!

I have to pick patterns carefully, and find ones without waistbands work best for me.

Keep us posted! :)

Thanks for the links, ladies! I shall explore them this afternoon.

IF I can find the fabric I want, yes,

The book gives instructions for several choices. Facings,narrow bias belt, elastic waist or belt any width size you want. It also gives instructions as to where you want the waistline and zipper. DD's skirt has a back vent and side zip. That's what she wanted. The basic style for a straight skirt is a is 2 pieces and I made it in three to suit her. The book also shows what they call 16 styles and I call variations on basics. I really like it because it is very basic and then you can take off from there

I will. Juno

I have a cranberry red silk blazer, I love it anytime. Juno

I really need to find that book, Sew What Skirts, if it is where you found the instructions for pants. I have fabric for several pair for myself, but haven't cut into any of it yet. After the holiday sewing, I will have to get busy on them. Emily

The pants were free web sites

Juno

Thanks for the additional information. I am also not skimpy in the bust area. It makes life difficult for pattern alterations. That's why I'd rather just draft my own pattern. It's sort of like cooking from scratch. You are responsible for everything that goes into the project. Juno

Claret is another nice colour, made myself a nice skirt for cool weather looks good with black boots.

I just made the cutest dress for my oldest DGD from cordless corduroy in cranberry. This afternoon I cut out a dress for my other DGD - same material and pattern but a different view so she doesn't have to wear exactly the same holiday dress for the next 3-4 years! (Oldest DGD wears a

7, other one a 6 and the clothes get passed down to her.) On Thanksgiving my BIL (a retired professional photographer) is bringing his camera to take our family holiday picture, and all us gals will be wearing something in the cranberry or burgundy family. We're trying to get all the guys (2 adults, 3 little ones) to wear the same color, but I doubt that will come about!

Liz

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