My "chevron" skirt.

Ooh pretty!

After many weeks of setting things up, my new sewing nook was collecting dust.  My husband established a space in the living room behind the couch with a table holding my sewing machine and dress form.  It's nearly perfect for what I need.  But I hadn't done anything with it.  Kids, life, work, etc. were getting in the way.

Friday I stopped by a local fabric store for inspiration.  And I found this gem.  Staring at me.  Begging me to take it home.  I'm a sucker for a good textile.  This one in particular was a knit stripe, purple and cream.  But, the cream was stitched on separate pieces, and there was a top stitch in a swirly pattern.  I had to leave with this one.Already in the store I had some ideas.  A maxi dress or a long skirt were really my stand out choices.

See?  What is not to love?

Now, let me say this was an ambitious project, which ever one I chose.  My mother had bought me a Serger, but I hadn't used it yet.  At all.  Not a stitch.  Also, I had zero experience working with a knit.  And, not wanting to spend $20 for a pattern at the fabric shop where I bought this, I was going to draft my own pattern as I went.

Once I was home I found some tips on eSewing Workshop .  I finally settled on my project.  I decided to make a giant chevron skirt out of this stripe by making a four panel skirt, bias cutting the stripe in opposite directions for left front vs. right front and left back vs. right back panels.  I also cut two thin rectangular pieces to work as the front and back waist (using the back of the fabric as the front for the band).

Then I started to learn how to serge.  After one failed attempt at matching the center front seam with too few pins, I really sailed through this.  I did have issues attaching the waist band and getting the tension right for so much fabric.  But overall I would say serging saved me time compared to using a traditional sewing machine.


So, here are the final results:

Close view

Full shot of Marie, my dress form.  Pardon the messy house.

 Overall the pattern really is what makes this simple skirt, and it was a great starter project for me.  I can't wait for it to be warm enough to give this skirt a spin!  Have you serged?  If so, what was your first project serging?

Hello World

So, after being very wrapped up in family, I'm delving into the world of sewing and fashion again.  For those of you who know me, this is a lifelong interest.  I have a day job and two small kids, but in addition I'm delving into the world of sewing.  I'm glad to rediscover part of me.  I have lots in store for this blog, my sewing projects, and maybe, eventually, some lucky people in need of some fashion items made late at night with kids sleeping in the next room.