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17 February 2014

My Cherry Skirt



These pictures so do not do this skirt justice. Just wait till spring...
Out of all my sisters, I'm finding that Anna is the one most interested in sewing--or, at least, she's the one with the attention span it requires. I thought tackling a few sewing skills I've never tried before would make a good adventure, and I took Anna with me to pick out everything we'd need for a new project.

We really challenged ourselves with this skirt. The pattern we picked out involved a circle skirt with an invisible zipper, a lining, and a tulle ruffle--none of which I'd ever tried before.

Anna picked out the cherry fabric, which turned out to be on final clearance and only cost $3 a yard. Bonus!

This was definitely the most difficult sewing project I've ever undertaken. This full skirt + lining + ruffle used way more fabric than I'd ever used in a single project, not even when I've sewn a dress in the past. We ran into a few snags, and had some adventures with ripping out stitches and re-cutting fabric. Did I mention that I don't actually own an invisible zipper foot and didn't realize that they existed? More than once, we just had to stop sewing and try to figure out how it was all going to come together--but we ended up creating the skirt you see today!

I love this style and the features this skirt has. You can't see it in the photos, but it has a purple tulle petticoat, that's where the fullness comes from, and I love the bow tie in the back. Anna and I are thinking that perhaps we ought to make a few more versions in other color schemes... Imagine pink and white! Or mint and cream!

With the leftover cherry fabric (I bought the recommended amount, but we ended up with plenty extra), we made Anna a simpler skirt with an elastic waistband (we were not in the mood for excessively complicated sewing adventures at that point!), two fabric wristbands, and a little envelope clutch. Cherries, cherries, everywhere!!



When's the last time you attempted a craft that you didn't exactly know how to do?
Mica said...

That is a lovely print! what a great DIY, you both did a fantastic job on the skirt! :)

I'm not very crafty, I think the last thing I tried to do was use Cooper's paw print to "sign" a card, and that just resulted in red paint everywhere and a distressed little dog, haha. There's a reason I'm not very crafty ;)

Away From Blue

Kristin said...

Anytime I've brought home fabric, I've been in over my head.

I love poofy skirts. Scott hates them. I'm really glad I didn't go with a poofy wedding dress though. I hear those things are heavy!

Suzanne said...

Wow! Great job. I'm very impressed. It is perfect on you.

I also love your shoes!

bisous
Suzanne

Tori Sly said...

So cute!! I'd love to try my hand at sewing, whenever I get some time to sit down and actually learn more about it. I used to sew with my granny sometimes as a kid, but it's been years since I've really sewn anything.

Emelie said...

Oh my gosh, I LOVE IT!! I'd wear the heck out of that thing.

Karla said...

WOW! Gorgeous!! And it was hand made? So cool! Wish I could do that! =)

Unknown said...

Too cute! I totally love circle skirts! They can be fun, flirty, and elegant, depending on what type of fabric and color scheme is used. So perfect! Awesome job to both of you!

Melissa said...

This is just the CUTEST! I'm bad at sewing, but I just bought a sewing machine because I'd really like to learn to quilt and sew stuff for our house - especially curtains :)

Charlene Maugeri said...

Oh my goodness it is so cute!!!

Lenya said...

Great skirt with a lovely print. You look so cute Rachel. I can't sew for the life of me.

Unknown said...

You look gorgeous Rachel! Well done for making this cute skirt, the cherry pattern is lovely and really suit you, I love the shoes as well!! Hugs, Beata xxxx

Haley said...

Seriously! This skirt is freakin' adorable! Not to mention you! You are just as freakin' adorable as that skirt. I am always in aw of people that can make clothes! I don't have the skill or patience for this kind of project but I always, always wished that I did. I would love to create clothing to wear.. how cool would that be!?! Very Little House On The Prairie of you..

Home Jobs by MOM said...

I'm lucky enough to sew a button on something lol. Great job! I so need to learn to sew.

Ashley @TheCreamToMyCoffee said...

I am so impressed by the way the skirt turned out. I have a great sewing machine but I just don't use it as much as I should. I'm thinking I might have some time this summer and I am so excited!

Anonymous said...

I love this! I still can't get over you sew your own stuff and it looks so good, you must teach me your ways! The shape of the skirt is gorgeous!

Unknown said...

love DIY and love the pattern you chose for the skirt! :)

Found your post via Sunday Style link up!

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Mary @marygoround4 said...

Love it!! It turned out so cute. Would love to see what the clutch looks like too! I haven't attempted any DIY sewing projects before. I might have to change that! Hope you had fun doing it!

Leia said...

That skirt is adorable- you guys did a great job! Pretty good for being your guys' first time tackling such a project. Major props. :)

Whitney @ EHFAR said...

That skirt is soooo adorable!! I think that is totally awesome that you made it!

Eva Marie Taylor said...

I love cherry patterned fabric! The skirt looks fun yet challenging to make! I love to try my hand at every craft! I haven't busted out my sewing machine in a long time though.
Eva Marie

Why Girls Are Weird said...

I LOVE that skirt so much!

Hima Rajana said...

Wow, I can't believe you made that! It's so cute! :) Most of my "adventures" involve failed Pinterest projects and recipes.

xo, Hima
Hima Hearts

Unknown said...

I love the whole outfit! I am officially going to need to learn to sew now just to make myself stuff like this. :)

Bekah Loves Blog said...

So fun! I love the shape!

Inge Jane said...

Oh wow, so exciting that you made this yourself! It definitely suits you!

Corlie said...

Wow, I'm really impressed! That is a beautiful skirt and it sounds complicated making it too. I have tried to sew before but I am too hasty and tend to mess it up beyond rescue. I've since stuck to designing and letting other people do the actual sewing, much safer that way ;)

Alli @ Allena Mistral said...

Love the skirt! I'm one of those sewers who refuses to change the foot on her machine. If I can't do it with my all purpose foot (not sure that's an actual thing...) then it's not getting done! The last insane challenge I took on was three pleated skirts for Sailor Moon costumes. I wanted them to be amazing (like comicon amazing), so I spent 15 hours on each skirt. Ironing and pleating and sewing! The longest part of it was sewing the pleating down because we wanted them more fitted. If I had eliminated that step, I would have saved myself at least 5 hours a skirt! haha

Kate @ Another Clean Slate said...

I wish I was more creative and talented. Love it! I can't even sew a straight seam on my pants!

Caroline said...

Can't believe you guys made that - it's adorable!

AiringMyLaundry said...

Ooo I just LOVE that skirt!

I don't craft. I go to Etsy and pay people to craft for me ;) Or I get my husband to do it..

Amanda - Voyage of the MeeMee said...

I love this! Full skirts are so fun and the bow is such a cute touch. I can't believe you gals did this... I'm blown away!

Aspen Kelty Marie said...

The skirt is absolutely gorgeous but I LOVE your shoes and tights!

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Holly said...

So cute! I wore purple tights today too :)

Meagan said...

Beautiful skirt! I can't sew at all! Wish I could!

Angela said...

What a great talent to have!! I would love to learn to sew like that one day.

Jennifer Prod said...

love that fabric and how sweet that you made it together :) i just posted about making a scarf, and i'm pretty sure that's the extend of my sewing skills (not saying much). any advice for learning? did your sister teacher herself or learn online?

Erica said...

Your skirt is beautiful! I love sewing bags, and the more complicated, the more exciting :) I love how it doesn't look like much or doesn't seem to make sense until I turn it right way out or something and then, TADA! A bag! This makes me miss my sewing machine!

Nicola Kirsty said...

That's a gorgeous skirt; I love the shape of it and the cherry print! I've never really learned/attempted to sew but I think I maybe should...

Unknown said...

Lovely skirt! I took apart two dining room chairs my in-laws gave us, which required me to learn how to re-upholster furniture. I had NO idea what I was doing. Thank God for YouTube! The results were fantastic though and make a HUGE difference in our living room. I am very proud I learned

Carylee said...

So much fun! What a great skirt - the fullness and fit are perfect for you!
morepiecesofme.com

Lauren {By Lauren M} said...

I am so impressed with your sewing skills! The fabric is adorable!

Elegance and Mommyhood said...

Your cherry skirt is adorable as are you in all those photos. The oxford shoes are the best though. As always lovely, fun, impeccable A la Rachel styling. ;-)

Love, Iris said...

Awww, you look adorable!!! I love it! I love that you made it, that's awesome!!!

Lexi said...

The skirt is amazing! So perfect! I love the whole outfit

Anonymous said...

You made that skirt!! Holy man. Good for you guys. That is so impressive. It's really cute.

Anna said...

This is adorable! You could make this with so many patterns!

Anna said...

This is adorable! You could make this with so many patterns!