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Monday, July 11, 2011

Mustard Mini Madness

UPDATE: The sewing pattern for this skirt is available HERE!

Sometimes when I get an idea, I just HAVE to make it IMMEDIATELY. Whatever I'm working on is dropped, and I start my new project like a madwomen. This is one of those projects. I was browsing through projects at burdastyle when I saw this awesome dress made by Ichigogirl. The pattern comes from the highly wanted Japanese Drape Drape books. I stared at the dress long and hard, but it's too complicated to make the whole dress without the pattern. Instead I made my own version of the skirt-part.


The striped jersey leftover from my shirt was perfect for this. I had barely enough so I could only replicate the front of the skirt. I folded the fabric and sewed the backs of the folds to a second piece of fabric. I concentrated on making the folds stay and not show any thread at the same time, at which I succeeded by thinking ahead. The order in which you sew parts of the skirt is crucial, and I've gotten much better at it. There was not enough fabric to make a waistband, so I had to make it out of three pieces of scraps. The little black button (can you find it?) works, but it's just there to pretend the seam is an opening instead of a seam at a weird place.

I also found a way to avoid bulky side seams. I should have taken pictures, it's too hard to explain in text, but I'm sure I'm not the first one who thought of this. It makes the seams of the bulky part lay towards the back, with the back part seams folded over them. This way you get a really nice finishing and there is not a seam to be seen, inside or out. I'm wondering whether I should add something of a bias strip to the side seam to 'mark' the transition from front to back. What do you think? Does it look odd this way?

This is my second mini skirt, and I LOVE it! I've been thinking about age-apropriateness lately, and it made me realize I'd better wear them now while I still feel comfortable in them. It also depends on the model: this one's got a nice round fit to it which makes it almost classy. As opposed to a fluttery mini skirt I owned once, which made me feel like a 7 year old. I'd wear them with a sweater and some boots though, rather than with a top like this. I'm actually wearing them now, and they are, as everything I seem to make, very comfortable. And surprisingly warm, too!

UPDATE: Check out the tutorial!

14 comments:

  1. Oh, I love it! I don't suppose you'd be up for a tutorial if you make another one? ;)

    I should probably be getting my mini-skirt wearing out of my system, too, except that I really have to line them with shorts or I just won't wear them....

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  2. Hm, a tutorial! Good idea, I'll think about it!

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  3. oh my! It is so pretty.. I want one! please do make a tutorial :)

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  4. OMG, this skirt is so pretty ! >3<
    I love the color and how you draped the front part !

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  5. I love this skirt and the mustard colored fabric you chose. So so cute!

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  6. Wonderful skirt! Just love it. To answer your question, I don't think the transition from front to back looks odd at all, I love the difference. So cool.

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  7. Fabulous! I´d love a tutorial on this!

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  8. LOVE this skirt. Will you do a tutorial? Please!

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  9. I will! I have bought fabric for it already, now all I need is time, and a solid roof to put my machine under :)

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  10. I'm about to attempt this skirt but with the back draped too. Hopefully it won't make my already big booty look TOO big, lol. AND I love that wall paper!

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    1. Ooh, please show me what it looks like when it is finished! I was wondering myself what a draped back would look like. The side seams might get too bulky, but maybe if you use a light weight fabric? Good luck!

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  11. I'm hoping to sew something like this before summer ends! Thanks a lot for sharing!

    http://helloteni.blogspot.com/

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  12. love this! i am so excited to try it (i love it more than that whole dress version) thanks for sharing!

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    1. YW! I'm glad you still willing to try it after some of the comments :)

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