I've been endeavoring to both sew items I need as well as whittle down the unfinished to do pile encroaching upon my work table. Sometimes my project reasons are practical. Working on a green velvet skirt in July just because the green thread was still in my machine after making the Minecraft Ottoman...we'll call this a whim.
This leftover intention from my Mother Christmas Costume has been waiting on my table since 2022, and my notion to make as many skirts as able as seen in my 5 Skirts, 1 Pattern Video persists. Here the center panel and the two back pieces from the Butterick 6196 source remained to size while each side panel was folded and reduced to fit the remaining green curtain fabric. Although the front is its own panel, I cut the back and side pieces as one continuous back. This isn't the most super quality material and it doesn't fray, however I wanted as much fullness with as little seams as possible. While the skirt was laid out flat on the floor, it was easier to pin the hem with several turn under folds before bee-lining every thing through my machine. I surprised even myself when this entire cutting and sewing process only took several hours! If your machine cooperates on decent material with a pattern you know, sewing can be pretty quick and easy, who knew?
After stay stitching the top line, I pinned and pleated the skirt to size on my dress form. Cutting a short back line created a place for my opening skirt placket, but these pleats and folds did become a little too thick for the machine. Fortunately, the original six tab top curtain pieces came in handy as the waistband! After seam ripping them all open, I sewed them all together as one continuous length – retaining their folded seam lines for the waistband and adding a double strip of thrifted black bias tape for reinforcement. The waistband was pinned and basted before a tight running back stitch in front and a final inside stitch encasing the skirt waistband. Black on black sewing I expect to be tough, but the worst part here was the dark green on dark green tiny stitches making my eyes go wonky! I turned to my Giant Button Jar for a unique green button before a finishing press. Initially, I was tempted to do a black velvet trim from my recent Joann Haul but thought it might be too heavy. However a day later I decided to turn up the hem again with some supporting tape and do a wider black velvet panache with some Dollar Store Halloween ribbon. I like the idea that my boots would show underneath with a coordinating black sweater and belt – even though it will probably be a mild 60F in December when I eventually wear this!
It's actually quite tempting to add even more rows of trim, maybe even some black fringe to match the green velvet dramatics! Of course, I intend to do a matching vest with the last remaining material, too, and those future trims should also coordinate with the skirt. Then again, I am but one person doing one impulse project at a time and I have more seasonal summer tops to make. Although this wasn't my next intended project, this unique, feel good look from thrifted curtains is a simple can do that inspires me to continue on those more immediate wardrobe needs. With no second guessing, mistakes, or re-dos thanks to previous pattern use and sewing know how, it's pretty amazing what wearable in a day can be accomplished. So what if it's holiday green in July?
For more project photos, visit Kbatz Krafts on Facebook or Instagram and join us on Blue Sky. Read about further sewing shenanigans in our Kbatz Krafts Archive including:
Black and Orange Polka Dot Skirt 2.0
No comments:
Post a Comment