Sunday, June 24, 2012

A Little A-Line Skirt (with lots of details)


This is a completely new project for me and a bit of a departure from my usual traditional smocked dresses.  The skirt is made from white Spechler/Vogel waffle weave pique and fully lined with Imperial batiste.  It has a lap zipper on the left side seam and an all machine microcheck bias waist facing that allows for button hole elastic across the back of the skirt for a custom fit.


The piped microcheck belt is held in place with four turned bias belt carriers and forms a bow at the front when tied in a knot.  The belt also helps with a custom fit on the skirt.


The hem of the skirt is a 1 1/2" bias cut pleated band.  I used a new (to me, at least!) little gadget, borrowed from the home dec world, for making the 1/2" pleats and it worked like a charm.  I'll be using this clever little thing on lots of other projects in the future.  It also comes in a 3/4" and a 1" size.




The simple to construct microcheck peasant blouse buttons down the back and features a scoop neckline with a smocked ruffle made from petite point.  The long straight edge of the neckline ruffle provides a good place to perfect the use of your dreaded roll hem foot.  I fiddled around a bit with mine, trying different size roll hem feet (ended up with the 3mm one) and different needle positions.  I was VERY pleased with the final results.



I can usually tell if I have travelled in the right direction by my granddaughter's reactions to new projects and I am happy to report that this one has passed the 'Hailey' test.  This will be one of the projects I will be teaching at Sewing At the Beach in January of 2013.  You can check out their website at www.sewingatthebeach.com.   The new information for 2013 should be up in early July.

The next series of photos are another take on this skirt.  This time I paired it with my little tailored jacket with bound patch pockets and collar.  The cotton knit tank top is bound with premade microcheck picot edge folded bias from Martha Pullen.  The fabric flowers are made from a 3" by 13" strip of fabric.  This will probably be one of the projects I submit to teach at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion in 2013. 







8 comments:

  1. Yet again, Gail, another winner! So cute, any girl would love to wear this! Been doing home dec for over 15 years and have never seen this doo-dad, will have to look for it around here! So many uses for childrens' sewing!

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  2. We love you and your nifty little brain, Gail. All great ideas and I can't wait to sign up for SATB. We may end up living in a tent, but I'll still be sewing. Have lots of photos now of your outfits on Paz - will post soon. She's here and LOVES to model your pretty dresses. Now she asks "Did Mrs Doane design this one, too>"

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  3. I can see one of your grandaughters in this...(Button?)
    Such a need for this size and style of dress for the Tweens.

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  4. Oh how sweet!! I love these and the pleats are perfect for an older girl.

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  5. Wonderful! Your details are fabulous.

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  6. Your work is perfection Gail.....and I am definitely going to try and source the little pleating gadget somewhere here in the UK.....wish me luck!

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  7. Oh, Gail, this is just beautiful and would be perfect for our climate in Texas!

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