Sewing 101 Week 4: Love your curves

Welcome to week 4 of:

Sewing 101

If your a sewing newbie, please check out week 1(envelope pillow)  week 2 (easy bubble skirt)  and week 3 (french seams).  I've structured this series, so each week builds on previous weeks' lessons.

 Today we are going to make a sweet little petal skirt and talk about the importance of clipping curves. 

 As always, you are going to need 2 measurements:

 the waist and the desired length of finished skirt.

Step 1: 

Cut 2 pieces of fabric 2 X waist wide and  length +2 inches long.  For example, I want my skirt to fit a 16 inch waist and be 7 inches long, so I cut each piece 32 inches wide by 9 inches long.  I used 2 different fabrics, but you could also use 2 of the same if you wanted to be really boring :)

 Step 2: Find some sort of circle to use a pattern (glass, jar,etc.) I used 1/2 of a large Easter egg. Using your sewing marker trace it along the lower edge.
Step 3: (not pictured) sew up the side seam of piece of fabric separately.

 Step 4: Place the pretty sides together (one inside the other) and stitch along the scalloped bottom edge with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Step 5: With a sharp pair of scissors you are going to cut from the edge of the fabric to as close to the seam line as possible with out cutting through it ( don't cut through or it will make you swear).  Make sure you cut all the way to the point of the scallop.

You need to do this anytime you cut any type of curved edge (collars, necklines, armholes).  If the garment has a gradual curve, your clips can be further apart.  If you don't clip your edges it will look all wonky.

 

Close-up shot

 Step 6:  Turn skirt inside out an press. If your scallops, aren't looking good, go back and clip some more.

 Step 7: Topstich.  I think topstitching makes something look much more polished. I lined my fabric up with the presser foot on my machine and sewed very slowly, so it would look even and pretty.


Step 8: Do the waist band the same as in week's 2 and week 3.


Admire your work:  If you used 2 different prints-it's reversible!

Good Luck!  I'd love to see you creations.


(I am not sure how, but didn't realized I used the same fabric as last week until I was writing this up-now I feel smart)

To see where I link up or to add your party, please click here.