Image by Flying Blind on a Rocket Cycle
I've had skirts on the brain lately. And no, I am not talking about making some new kind of fashion statement. At 6'5" and XXX pounds, I don't think anyone needs to see me in a skirt.
I've been thinking about skirts for my twin girls. About how much they love to wear simple, elastic-waisted twirly skirts, and about how great they would be to highlight and use some of my favorite new fabric lines and prints. Unfortunately, I've also been thinking about how terrified I am to make any type of garment, no matter how "simple" everyone claims them to be.
Fortunately, a few of my Twitter friends have offered to help me out. I've set up a few swaps that will provide a few new skirts for my girls, let me scratch the itch of selecting the fabrics, and allow me to once again avoid any type of sewing that frightens me. Thanks, Jacqueline & Rachel!
I've also had Melody Miller's newest line, Ruby Star Spring, on my mind. I can't get enough of that giant bee print, and the linen-blend base cloth that the line is printed on is amazing. I'm totally inspired by the recent quilts that Heather & Ashley have posted using the line (check 'em out at the links), and I can't wait to make something with my small stash of the line (that is sure to grow.)
So with skirts and Ruby Star Spring on my mind, imagine my delight when Melody pointed me to an adorable little video she created featuring a free pattern by Deborah of Whipstitch for ... wait for it ...
... a bee skirt!!
And even though I won't be making one, I can watch the video again and again. It's just that cute.
That video above is very cute. But the video embedded when I read this post in my reader was a Lady Gaga video. I was looking for the bee skirt! Too weird, huh?
ReplyDeleteYou should check out Oliver + S website for a free "Lazy Day Skirt" tutorial too - they're super easy to make.
ReplyDeleteI used to use quilt fabric lines to make skirts for my little girl, too! They make the cutest little skirts and dresses. My favourite thing to do was pair them with peasant tops. Unfortunately, she is past the age of thinking that it's cool to wear something mom made.. sigh, teenagers are hard! I make peasant tops for myself these days, Yeah, I may not be the height of fashion, but I love it and it works for me. :-)
ReplyDeleteNow I'm picturing you in a twirly skirt, lol. Don't worry, I at least imagined it in a manly print!
Daisy from Lazy Daisy Quilts Podcast
verylazydaisy.blogspot.com
verylazydaisy.podomatic.com
I definitely suggest Dana at dana-made-it.com - her simple skirt tutorial and its variations are SO easy!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you can handle this tutorial for a twirly skirt! http://houseonhillroad.typepad.com/photos/twirly_skirt/ I made several of these with next to zero sewing experience! The Lazy Days Skirt by Oliver and S. is super easy as well!
ReplyDeleteI recently posted a tutorial for Fat Quarter Skirts on my blog. I've made a bunch for myself, and wear almost daily (so easy and comfortable). Examples are for grown-up size, but work for kids. And of course you don't have to use FQs; large scraps and yardage work, too, whatever you've got in the stash that's pretty enough to wear...
ReplyDeleteDetails here: http://www.venusdehilo.com/http://www.venusdehilo.com/tutorials/fat-quarter-skirts/
Ooops, that FQ skirt link should be:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.venusdehilo.com/tutorials/fat-quarter-skirts/
At 5'5" and xxx lbs (please note my use of lower case x's), I will not be making any bee skirts, either. But I bet your twins would look adorable in a pair of 'em!
ReplyDeleteI love that you used Hadley's pic, that bag is so fab! There's a good skirt tutorial here; http://www.romaandmary.com/2010/07/skirt-tutorial.html - you should give the skirts a whirl, little girls clothes are so quick to make and cute too!
ReplyDeleteGo for it Dad - your girls will love that you made a skirt or two for them. Just think how much they will be bragging "My dad made this for me." Just think, all the other little girls are going to want one too! And maybe some big girls, lol
ReplyDeleteOh yay! I think I'll be making a little bee skirt for my daughter too. Thanks for this post... Just love it:)
ReplyDeleteMelody's Ruby Star Spring fabric is the best - thanks for using my 241 tote pic :) My twin girls are not so keen on the Bee, and I think skirts in that print are a definite no-no for them! Me, on the other hand... (Not sure I can afford that many Bees to cover my butt!). x
ReplyDeleteThose fabrics will be so cute for skirts for your girls!! hope we'll get to see photos! :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the bees! I took out a mortgage for enough bees to cover my butt and now I'm too scared to cut into it, hehe!
ReplyDeleteI bookmarked two skirt tutes as I have a 2 yr. old granddaughter to sew for. I see someone already mentioned the one on House on Hill Road so I won't repeat. But the one I really love and made one for Olivia is on www.themotherhuddle.com called The Twirling Whilst Standing Still Skirt. I made it in a variety of pinks and added rickrack. At two she doesn't twirl yet so it is good that the skirt looks like it twirls even while standing still. I already got it back for repair - the hem under the rickrack came loose in the laundry - my bad! If your girls are twirlers, this is the skirt you want.
ReplyDelete