Happy September, everyone!
I'm so excited to share another new book with you all:
Skirt-a-Day Sewing: Create 28 Skirts for a Unique Look Every Day
If you've read my blog at all, you know I aspire to sew more clothes for myself. I've attempted store-bought patterns but am always stuck when it comes to sizing - my curves don't fit exactly what's on the package! Enter:
Skirt-a-Day Sewing
This book walks you through the steps of creating your own customized sloper (a pattern made exactly to YOUR measurements). From that sloper, the book shows you how to springboard and create 28 different skirts, based on four basic styles: wrap, straight, flare and high-waisted. Each project is rated beginner, intermediate or advanced.
To start, I went with the author's advice and sewed a wrap skirt. It was hard to choose because all the skirts are so cute!
Creating a sloper, and the subsequent patterns takes time. These are not one-hour projects. But, the time put in is well worth it as you'll create a skirt that fits you EXACTLY how you want it!
I treated myself to a new tool suggested by the author: the
Dritz Styling Design Ruler
It helps draw curves (which I definitely have!) and other pattern needs.
Because it's getting cool here in New England, I wanted to use a fabric that would transition into fall - a light-weight corduroy felt right. Works with wedges for now, tights and boots later. My goal was to use leather trim for the ties and pocket.
A work in progress here. I ended up cutting the ties too short (so they don't actually wrap!) and I decided to forego the pocket. But...can you see the fit? Pretty spot on for my curves.
I'm looking forward to trying more skirts (27 to go!) and working more with my sloper. For never having done sewing like this,
Skirt-a-Day Sewing
is a great resource for construction, drafting, designing and sewing.
Would you like to try your hand at it?
Thanks to the lovely
Storey Publishing, I have a copy of
Skirt-a-Day Sewing
to give away!
Leave a comment about which style you would try first. Giveaway is open until Monday, September 16th at 11 p.m. EST. Open to U.S. residents only.
And, if you just can't wait for the giveaway, you can find a copy
HERE
!
Good luck!
And, for more chances to win, check out these amazing blogs:
9/10
http://www.sewingrabbit.com/
(took a few coats to get in all those nooks and crannies!). I followed this tutorial to make the flowers - altering the length and width of the fabric strips for the various sized flowers.
