The Gilded Skirt

I found some gold animal print jacquard fabric a while back and instantly fell in love.  I have had it for a while and waited until I was settled on just what type of skirt to make with it.  I saw a gold fabric similar to this in a J.Crew skirt a few years ago and had been on the hunt for something like this.

In the end, I decided to create a mix between these skirts:

 modcloth

 anthropologie

anthropologie

Here is what I came up with

It's hard to tell in the pictures, but the fabric has a little hint of shimmer to it.  I'm not a fan of shiny fabrics, I think a lot of times they can end up looking cheep, but this fabric is thick and has just the right amount of golden glow to it.

The instructions aren't too complicated.  Just lots of pleating.  Here we go....

materials:
- 1 1/2 - 2 yards of fabric
- coordinating thread
- zipper (I used an invisible zipper)

Step 1:

  

Cut out your pieces.  I wanted my waistband to be 2" thick, so with the seam allowances, my pieces were 3" thick.  Measure around your waist, divide that by 2 to get your front and back pieces, however, add an extra inch to the length of your back waistband.  You will be cutting this in half and will need the extra s.a. for your zipper.  Don't forget to add on 1/2" on each side for the s.a. as well.  I always like to make the bottom of my waistband 1" longer than the top.  That way it fits me a little more snug at the top of my waist.  I doubled up on the waistband because I like it to be a little thicker and more sturdy.

You will need to do a little math before you cut out your skirt pieces.  I wanted a lot of thick knife pleats, so I ended up using fabric for the front of my skirt that measured 45" wide and 24" long (I knew this would be plenty long and I wanted a 2" hem).  When all the pleats were created, the front skirt portion ended up being 16" wide

My back skirt sections measured 17 1/2" by 24" each.  I just did an inverted pleat on either side of the zipper.  Basically I just used what fabric I had left over.

Step 2:

Create the pleats for the front of the skirt.  Make sure that the folds of the left 2 pleats and the folds of the right 2 pleats all point to the center of the front of the skirt.  I used pins in coordinating colors to remind me which pins to match up to create the knife pleats.  The pins for my knife pleats were about 7" apart.  You don't have to follow my measurements exactly, just go with what looks good, but make sure they are symmetrical.  Leave at least 1/2" extra on each side for s.a. Once you have created the pleats with your pins, serge or sew the pleats in place 1/4" away from the edge.

Step 3:

 

Create the inverted pleats on each back skirt section.  Again, you can eyeball this until it looks good.  Keep in mind that you need at least 1/2" on either side of each back skirt section to allow for the seam allowance and zipper seam allowance.

Once you have created the pleats with your pins, serge or sew the pleats in place 1/4" away from the edge.

Step 4: 

 

With right sides together, attach the front skirt section to the 2 back skirt sections.  Press seam allowances open.

Step 5:

 

Sew 1/2" from the top along the width of your front and back waistbands.  Cut your back waistband in half and attach to the front waistband so it creates one long waistband.  Attach it to the top of your skirt, making sure to match up your side seams.  For more detailed instructions on attaching the waistband, follow the waistband instructions on my pinwheel skirt tutorial.

In the past when I have attached my waistbands, I usually do a top-stitch at the very top and bottom of my waistband.  This time I tested out "stitching in the ditch" (don't ask me how I remembered this from clear back in my BYU sewing class days).  I did this along the bottom of my waistband and I love the clean look of it.  Basically this just means that I stitch very carefully and very slowly along the bottom of my waistband, right inside the little groove that was created when I attached the waistband to my skirt.  Pull each side of your fabric taught so that you can see the existing stitches, and stitch right on top of those.

Step 6:

Take a deep breath..... and insert your zipper.  I stepped even further out of my comfort zone this time and used an invisible zipper.  I actually bought the little plastic invisible zipper foot (they are about $2 and are usually located right above the zippers).  It was tricky, so watch this tutorial a few times before taking the plunge.  The instructions printed on the invisible zipper package might as well have been written in Hebrew.  I need to physically see the zipper being put in to understand it, so written out instructions don't work for me.  I swear, I have watched this tutorial at least 20 times.  It is simple and clear and works for me so I'm going to stick with it.

Step 7:

Take a break from ripping your hair out and pat yourself on the back because you inserted a zipper.

Either that or get in the car and head back to Joanns for another zipper because you got so frustrated that you ripped your first zipper right in half.  I'm not ashamed to admit that I have done this.  It was a while ago and it was my first invisible zipper.  It just felt really good to break that stupid zipper.

Step 8:

Hem your skirt.  Since my fabric was thicker, I wanted a thicker hem.  My hem was 2" and I used a blind stitch for the hem.  If you haven't tried hemming with this stitch I highly recommend it.  It takes a little practice but the hem is basically invisible and I love the look of it.

Stitch #13 is the blind hem stitch I used.

  

 

see?  no stitch marks!

DONE!

Top: Banana Republic, Skirt: me, Jacket: Nordstrom, Shoes: Steve Madden, Bracelet: Juicy

mirror, mirror....

I have been on the hunt for a huge mirror to hang on a big wall we have in our living room.  I about died and went to heaven when I saw the price on this sucker....

$29.99?  Are you kidding me??  Leave it to Home Goods.  I can't get enough of that store.  For all you Utah folks, there is one up in Salt Lake that is superb.  Check it out.

I have since given this beauty multiple coats of glossy white paint and I love the outcome.  I still have a while to go before I will have everything looking the way I have it pictured in my head, but it's a start.

I should have a brand spanking new tutorial for you this week.  Are you excited?  I'm sure you can't contain your emotion.   

I've been  glued to my sewing machine for the past while.  In the last 2 weeks I have pumped out curtains for my sewing room/office/I feel obligated to say office but its mostly a sewing room, 4 skinny ties for my little man, a few pillows, a handful of hair flowers, and the most hideously amazing cheerleading costume for a friend (bet you can't wait to see that one).

The month of April is going to be a little crazytown for me, so I apologize in advance if my next few posts don't knock your socks off.  I recently received a large order for some custom skirts, so I will be sewing up a storm with those.  In addition, we will be moving to Washington DC for 6 weeks this summer for my husband's externship, so I am frantically scouring Craigslist for housing.  

Good news is that we will also be spending 2 months in LA for another externship, so I might just set up house on the streets of the fabric district. 

nest

I made this sign a few years back.  I love pulling out cute colorful springy decorations this time of year!

I just bought the cardboard letters at Joanns, painted them blue, and mod-podged  paper to the front of the letters.  Super simple. 

Happy Spring!

Posse

I was browsing through Guilt Group yesterday and came across these gorgeous Posse handbags.  Aren't they fabulous?

The cream is so fresh and springy.  I love this slouchy look with a hint of structure.

 

This metallic clutch just might be my very favorite

Reader Submisions

I just put together a Flicker pool so that you can submit pieces you have created using one of my tutorials!  I love when I get an email from a reader showing one of my skirts they created, so I decided to make it a little easier for you to show it off!  You can click here or click on Reader Submissions at the top of my blog.  Just upload your picture saying which tutorial you used in the description.  

I added a few that I have been sent and tried to include a link back to their blog.  If you are on there and I haven't added your blog link,  just let me know and I'll add it!

I can't wait to see more of your lovely work!

Only add projects created using one of my tutorials please!

baby dress

My friend Christy is having a little girl, so I attempted my first baby dress for her shower.  I basically sketched out a pattern from an Old Navy baby dress that I liked and went from there.  I am happy with the result.  Cute, little, and feminine.  Just how baby girl clothes should be.

I added some lace at the bottom that I had on-hand.  I think it adds just the right amount of frill.

I wrapped it in simple brown paper, tied a bow, and threw in a cute tag and flower.  I love wrapping gifts in brown paper.  You can use it for any occasion and embellish it however you please.