Skirt-A-Day Sewing: Book Review and Giveaway!

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/

9/13 http://www.kollabora.com/blog

9/16 http://www.windylou.com/

9/17 http://www.brettbara.com/

9/18 http://www.craftbuds.com/

9/19 http://hodgepodgefarm.net/

9/23 http://sewmamasew.com/

 

Long time no post

 

While absent from posting, I have been busy behind the scenes.  Since the summer, I have been developing patterns for and teaching sewing classes at Beehive Sewing Studio and Workspace.  It's an amazing drop-in studio developed and run by one very talented lady (you go, T!).

It has been such an exciting endeavor for me - combining my professional (teacher, pre-kids) and crafty lives.  It has been a good challenge to think of projects that are appropriate for a workshop format, and then writing up directions to support beginning sewists.

If you are a local reader, be sure to check out Beehive Sewing - there are all sorts of classes, both project-based and technique-based, for every level of sewist.  And, the new Halloween calendar is up!  I'll be sharing an adorable trick-or-treat bag perfect for your little one's loot, as well as an appliqued bunting for your Halloween decoration stash.

Last but not least, stay tuned for an AWESOME giveaway coming up at the beginning of October. 

Hope you are finding new creative outlets this fall!

P.S. In the midst of all the sewing classes and back-to-school frenzy, somebody in our house turned 3!  I'll be posting photos and a new tutorial soon!