Polka Dot Scrap Busting Skirt!

My sewing table was overflowing with a pile of black and white polka dot scraps, and thus inspiration struck to put them all to good use in a tiered skirt!

With the help of my tortitude cat, I laid out all the scraps from my Polka Dot Tank Top; Black, White, and Red Dress; and the Black and White Polka Dot Maxi into piles – rolling up the smaller strips together for future use as straps, binding, or piping. Next, all the odd, square, and rectangular pieces became the top row for my go to 5 Skirts 1 Pattern Butterick 6196. Naturally, I couldn't worry about grain or pattern matching at this point. However I did not fear the shortchanged mistakes of my Black and Orange Polka Dot Skirt because I had enough scraps to make up the full volume of the pattern's widest center and two side panels. The black thrift sheet last partly used as the liner for the maxi dress with my Drafted Nightgown Pattern now became my skirt base while the remaining smaller polka dot pieces would become a ruffled hem. This black sheet would also line the top polka dot row and the middle black skirt portion. I could use the sheet's finished seam at the hem but I did need to piece another part of the sheet to complete the middle liner. Of course, I also laid everything out on the floor and mistakenly cut three layers of the sheet! I'd feel bad cutting excess if this were quality black fabric, but fortunately, I can always use more black backing anywhere.

This seemingly simple assembly took a day of finagling and geometry making sure my polka dot rows and black on black liners were the right sides before doing all the machine seams and then pressing all those seams in between and attaching everything together. It was thick on my thirty year old Brother machine going through four layers of material at the joining seam and there was a slight tension issue where I had to redo the stitching in a few spots. Thankfully, it's all very cute now that it's one skirt panel! That troublesome seam spot is a little uneven, but I decided to add very cheap old Joann black lace as a ruffled border between the fabric changes to hide this mistake as well as the slightly different fabric weights between the polka dot cotton and the thrift sheet. Unfortunately, this lace is a bitch with annoying, large gathering holes meant for infinity scarf making. It's a decorative trim cheat that adds hand gathering time, however I'm glad to finally use most of this stupid seventy-five cent lace! Although frustrated by the lace gathering, I was inspired by a black and white floral hand-me-down skirt that I love and decided to use dollar store white satin ribbon to unite the lace and fabric border. Attaching the completed trim with clean, small running back stitches was easy enough – save for not wanting to stitch through the black liner with my white thread.

Strangely, I am also lacking in said white thread with only a few spools from some discount old variety thread pack. The “Natural” thrift thread cone I often use for basting is an ivory that doesn't match the pure, flat white of my polka dots or the ribbon. Thankfully, those spools held out with me unnecessarily panicking about where the frick does one buy thread these days without Joann? After a few days of all that careful hand sewing attachment, I returned to the machine for my polka dot ruffle. I pinned all the slimmer polka dot strips together to make one continuous row, doing the math to make sure I had double the fabric amount for a good, full gathering. Doing the hem with hem tape stiffened the ruffle a little bit, but that helps to keep its oomph rather than being pleated flat as I again did the gathering by hand. The cat also insisting on helping as I laid out my ruffle across my black skirt end and pinned everything in place. Any black hem touch ups where the finished sheet end couldn't be used on the skirt pattern curve were also done while the black liner was left loose with it's own up turned hem. Finally a second row of black lace and white ribbon could be attached with a running back stitch above the polka dot ruffle for a complete contrasting floppy and floofy twirl.

Of course, I now realized I had gathered so much more of the lace and ribbon than needed and since the double row of lace and polka dots looked so adorable, I went for a spontaneous third lace row. After debating whether it should be centered on the black skirt panel or placed below the initial polka dot row, I decided a third ruffle at the hem was cutest. Did this add more damn hand sewing time to this seemingly simple project? Absolutely! The tricky back seam closure also had to be by hand to make sure I didn't catch any of the flouncy lace, but all my ribbon rows matched up deliciously! Continuing this maximum use scrap busting, I re-purposed the folded top line of the sheet as my waistband with an interior thrift interfacing to encase all the top raw polka dot edges within the inside whip stitch. Initially I pleated the material to strategically hide those odd polka dot seams as much as possible but the pleats didn't look right with the gathered lower tiers so I likewise gathered the top within the waistband. I had to be funny and use a white button closure on the black waistband because I have a massive amount of white buttons thanks to my evil grandmother always cutting them off a discarded shirt. (Her deceptive cookie tin of sewing supplies also contained a pack of dirty playing cards, but that's another story.)

Despite the polka dot patchwork, lengthy hand sewing, cumbersome additions, and cheapness of it all; the idea and execution of this skirt still happened quickly. I like the illusion of pattern, dot, stripe, and floral even if I am not used to this much alternating black and white. There's still just enough black material to show all the cat hair, but all the business makes for a cute, fun, frilly skirt. I'm pleased with the fly by night sewing and outside the box material uses for future scrap busting possibilities.

Join me on Blue Sky or browse more project photos on the Kbatz Krafts Facebook and Instagram. Visit the Kbatz Krafts Archive for more sewing adventures including:

Purple Polka Dot Skirt

The Lemon Dress

Legacy of Sewing for Search Magazine

Easy Thrift Fixes! 💪🏻

 

So often we dismiss clothes that don't quite fit, passed on or left to toil in our closet when a few trick tweaks or simple sewing changes can make a garment feel just right. These are two easy examples from my closet that anyone can fix.

Unlike my me-made Black and White Polka Dot Dress and my unofficial quest to make all things polka dot, I was amazed to find these wide leg black and white polka dot pants at Goodwill for $7. I did not think they existed in the wild! I love the wide waistband and stretchy fit that hides my problem gut, and of course I traced a pattern of these comfy pants for future use. However, I am short, one size does fit all, and these polka dot pants were a little too long. Long enough that instead of looking snazzy, they felt kind of silly being so huge and cumbersome. Fortunately, I braved the fabric shears and cut off the excess! Then it was time to break out the iron and trusty $3 hem tape, turning up the raw edge for a new smooth finish. Granted this stretchy fabric was a little tricky with the hem tape at the inseams, but with a wide leg pattern like this, who's going to notice a wonky dot? The stretchy material was a bit more unwieldy in re-purposing the cut off excess, but I put the inside outs together and zipped them through the sewing machine before pulling everything through right sides out and pressing it all flat. Now I have a sweet little matching polka dot tie belt! Again where the seams were sewn together might be a little uneven, but it's such a showstopping ensemble, it doesn't matter. This could all also have been done with tiny beginner hem sewing and running back stitches, so there's no need for anyone to trip over a pair of pants that can become totally fantastic with one small change.

Of course, I needed to take a dose of my own sewing inspiration to finally fix this clumsy strappy black damask column dress that's been in my closet for years. I maybe wear this thrift find once each August with my Black and White Bobbles thanks to its confusing fit – a loose, open bust line that I practically fall out of with a bodycon skirt that's too long. Perhaps this was meant for a taller smaller bust model, but a few sewing hacks can make this dress work. Several stitches pinching at the bodice cross point helps close that bra line dip, and two inches up with the good old hem tape was easy enough at the ironing board. As a short person however, I've often discovered hemming is not enough and that a whole garment should go up at the shoulders. Here with only summer straps, it's ridiculously easy to take an inch out of the shoulder and re-sew the seam with a tight running back stitch. Voila, everything's in the right place!

There are more complicated thrift alterations waiting in my closet and mending that should be done, but there's no need for anyone to put off these easy sewing rescues. These aren't couture event garments that need tailored fittings or expensive seamstress alterations. With affordable thrift finds or older clothing, these simple adjustments are guilt-free, feel-good savers for any wallet, body size, or sewing experience.

For more project photos, visit Kbatz Krafts on Facebook or Instagram and follow us on Blue Sky for the latest DIY adventures. Peruse the Kbatz Krafts Archive for more sewing escapades including: 

Cheap Elsa Costume

Orange Tablecloth Skirt

Sewing on a Budget for Search Magazine

The Black and White Polka Dot Maxi!

 

The Black and White Polka Dot Tank Top was not enough nor was the Black and White Polka Dot Dress, so now is the time to drape myself in a maxi black and white polka dot creation!

Utilizing my Drafted Nightgown Pattern finished the last yards from one bolt of this clearance Walmart material and cut into the second $15 bolt. After washing and ironing the material for cutting, it was obvious that thanks to my latest health issues, this already roomy pattern was now much larger. Fortunately I was undeterred and actually excited for new, versatile fitting possibilities, taking in the side seams and contemplating a tie back or empire gathering line. The basting and machine stitching progressed in a few hours before the first try on yielded more adjustments. I had already shortened the shoulder straps, but also per my previous tank top, the back seams needed to be straighter rather than curved. I took another inch out of each in doing so, but rather than take in all the excess like my fitted tank, I wanted this dress to remain breezy cool. Finishing the collar and armholes with double fold overs and double machine rows also opened the pattern further. Unlike my failed attempt at a brown housecoat set from this pattern, the hem also went smoothly first with a machine folder over and then another turn up with hem tape. Despite the baggy style and liner to be added, after four days this dress was technically done, surprising even myself at how quickly this pattern know-how came together after my long-gestating Purple Polka Dot Skirt.

Some folks are precision sewers and do all the math and measurements at the beginning and that is superb. I am not one of those people. Such finite at the start can deter newcomers from attempting sewing. However, if you aren't going to math the maths, that means you have to accept that adjustments will come later, which I do, just like drafts in writing that continually hone and perfect. Does this make a sewing project more difficult sometimes? Maybe. After contemplating an elastic empire draw only in the back three pattern pieces, I instead decided to do an entire empire waistline all the way around the dress. Naturally, this would have been incredibly easier if I had planned this element in advance and left the dress open with a center back seam to lay flat as was planned in making my niece's Lemon Dress. Now this change began with a terrible chalk line while wearing the dress inside out before putting the dress back on the form and pining a black grosgrain ribbon channel in place. Then I had to lay it flat on the floor, check the measurements, and baste the ribbon. Fortunately, I was not discouraged. This wasn't a mistake by any means but an exciting design twist and I am currently healthy enough to roll with it. After test gathering the elastic through with the good old safety pin trick, it was too cute – and more importantly straight! The black on black hand sewing was going to be terrible on my IIH eyes, but I decided to remove the elastic and do the empire waistband top stitching by hand to avoid having a black machine stitch go across the white polka dots on the dress front. My geometry is not finite but my perfectionism is anal.

Next I had to remember to do everything in proper sewing order just to make things easier on myself. After finishing the outer empire stitching, it was time for the lining cut from a black cotton thrift sheet for the back and a slightly better quality matching pillowcase for the front torso. Although it was initially cumbersome to pin the liner with the thrift interfacing encased around the collar curves with my ham at the ironing board (whew!), the lining was whipped stitched in place swiftly. The print, sheets, and thread were all slightly different shades of black which made it a lot easier to see! I don't usually do this kind of bag style liner and prefer to flat line as one, however I didn't want double bulky seams once I was thinking about a gathered waist. After turning up the liner hem with hem tape, I trimmed the side seams and folded them together to hide the ugly edges inside before a running back stitch finish. Somehow the liner hem was a half inch longer on one side and one shoulder seam was a tad short so I had to piece a sheet scrap in place but who's going to know? Of course, before I could tack down the liner at the dress side seams, the elastic had to be run back thru the empire waist and the channel closed. The interior was at last complete, and I ultimately decided not to stitch down the gathering in the back – leaving the elastic breath-ability while the front panel remains flat and flattering. This invokes a slight fifties fit and flair look befitting the polka dots with a pleasing Marilyn Munster vibe. Huzzah!

This dress is perhaps a bit plain and I'm tempted to add more lace trim or red piping, but the polka dot pattern elevates the simple cut. I can always add any hem or collar trim with a matching tie sash later, and my black or red belts can be fun with coordinating accessories. I'm ridiculously surprised at myself for how quickly this came together despite ongoing turmoils and time added for the hand sewing finish. I expected another round of final pinching or tweaking but that also proved unnecessary. It's not a fluke, a garment a week can be done! (So long as I have a healthy burst and actually allow ten days for trauma, but who's keeping track?)

Follow Kbatz Krafts on Blue Sky or visit our Facebook and Instagram for more project photos. Browse the Kbatz Krafts Archive for more sewing including:

Green Velvet Skirt

The Cheap Elsa Costume

Black and Orange Polka Dot Apron

White Bling? 🤨🤔😁

 

So-called “white” jewels such as diamonds and pearls are not my favorites, but last year I made Black and White Bobbles to match my Polka Dot Dress. Could I further venture into more white accessories to go with my August black and white ensembles thanks to a pack of $10 howlite beads?

More of the clearance black wood bead garland used previously and some large grab bag gold beads alternating with the smaller howlite beads made for a very chunky, actually somewhat gaudy necklace. Big earrings and a thick bracelet complete the tacky set, but if I'm going to ritz up my Black and White Polka Dot Tank to beat the heat I may as well go big or go home, amirite? A handful of black fireball beads mixed with the howlite and the last of the black wood beads made for more simple dangle earrings with a matching gold cross necklace as I inched further from my black wheelhouse. I have noticed that some black beads or fake metals discolor and rub off with sunscreen at higher temperatures. However, that's what one must expect if you're going to work with cheap, fun, found materials, and I'm not about to give up my SPF 100!

The howlite beads and their matching white cross spacers made for more bracelets alongside cheap gold beads taken apart from another Goodwill garland. Here, I went bold for a mirroring majority howlite collar necklace with gold teardrop beads and small cross earrings. Because I also wear red accents with my black and white for a dash of fifties style pop, vintage thrift red and gold beads were next to join the howlite. Like my previous Bling Binge, I went a little crazy in finishing these red beads with three bracelets, earring bobs, and a necklace with a dangling howlite cross pendant. Determined to use all this howlite to fill the white accessories hole in my collection, I continued with more aged gold chunky beads and leftover rose shaped beads for another necklace. The small white crosses and more cheap gold beads made for the last of the howlite beads in a matching bracelet. There are still some of the small sideways howlite cross beads in two sizes which can be used for future bracelets – my own spiritual trademark against this so-called Christian yet totally corrupt regime that has forgotten Jesus's actual teachings on compassion. Otherwise I've pretty much made all the white and gold jewelry combinations I'll probably need. Huzzah!

Does some of this me-made jewelry look the tacky and junky that it truly is? Absolutely! Apologies to Dolly Parton, but it only cost pennies to look this cheap. I have fun, seemingly lightweight looking accessories thanks to the white howlite color – a new concept to me, a long-time wearer of black. I'm looking forward to mixing and matching these bright, summery sets with my black and white clothes, a moderate success with an alternative white stone, if I do say so myself!

Visit the Kbatz Krafts Archive for more jewelry made by me or see more bling photos on the Kbatz Krafts Facebook.