Saturday, March 14, 2009

Not Too Bad
The other day I was at Kohls and found a skirt that I really wanted... but it was almost $50... on sale. I don't have $50 for a skirt... and so, sadly, I put it back. But then, I had a thought... I could make my own! It can't be that hard, right?
And actually, except for the zipper, it wasn't that hard!
I went to JoAnn's and found a pattern I liked and the fabric I wanted. Came home and measured myself to see what size I would need. I'm usually an 8-10 and figured that's the size I would need.
WRONG!
Apparently, in pattern-world, I'm a size 18. I figured that they MUST know what they are doing and went ahead with the 18. This is what I ended up with.It seems that pattern-world measurements are a tad off. If I hadn't been wearing jeans it would have slipped off completely.
So, I took about 5-6 inches off the side seam. It fit much better.
The zipper was a pain. I've never put a zipper in by myself before. My mom has ALWAYS been there to help (a.k.a. do it for me). The stitching around the zipper is crooked and kind of off center, but for my first try, I'm pleased.
The finished product?Nothing fancy or amazing, but I like it! And the cost...
Fabric - $8.00
Pattern - $1.50
Thread - $.50
Zipper - $2.00
Hook & Eye - $.15
Twill Tape - $.75
Total = $12.90
Lots cheaper than the skirt I had wanted and it only took me about 3 hours to finish it (would have been less but I had to unpick the zipper twice... I told you it was a pain).
I bought fabric to do a different skirt that was in the same pattern packet. We'll see how that goes... but all in all, not bad. Not bad at all!

23 comments:

Kristina P. said...

Your skirt is so cute! I wish I had sewing abilities.

And I love Kohls. I shop there way too often.

Anonymous said...

Very cute! I wish I could make a skirt.

Jean Knee said...

kewlll and it even matches the flowering shrubbery
always a plus for spying

Anonymous said...

REALLY CUTE!!! Good job! :o) zippers are a pain.....

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

That is so adorable, Melissa! I love it! I really need to learn how to sew...

Shh...don't tell my husband I said that or he'll start happy dancing a wee bit prematurely...

Yvonne said...

Great job--very cute. (I hate doing zippers, too ; )

Randi said...

I'm very impressed. I can't do zippers at all!

It's darling!

Millie said...

Yay, you did it! It's adorable!

Zippers are definitely scary, but you did a great job! :)

Tonya said...

You did a great job. The skirt is super cute. I so wish I would have taken home economics and learned to slow.

Jodi said...

Wow, you're brave! I never would have tackled that. I would have just sulked my way home and eaten a gallon of ice cream for the skirt I couldn't have. Then the size 18 WOULD fit! haha

Super Happy Girl said...

Pretty good! You got mad skills.
Two skirts for the price of...well, way way less than at a department store :)
Good for you.

... said...

very cute. you did a great job. i wish i could sew. it sounds like fun but i don't think i would be very good at it.

Todd and Camille Hendrickson said...

So skinny girl, we could all just pay you to make the rest of us some skirts?

Doran & Jody said...

Cute, cute. Now you can make me one.

Adena and Greg said...

Very cute. I'm glad you finally found a pattern and fabric you liked. I'm pretty sure I couldn't do the whole zipper thing.

Rachelle@atticgals.blogspot.com said...

Good for you girl!

D3AB said...

How cute is that skirt! And how cute is your blog background. Love the post on Daylight Savings.

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

Oh, way cute!

Nancy Face said...

Your skirt looks fabulous on you! I love the tops you put with it, too! :)

I HATE pattern-world measurements! They are NEVER right! If I'm sewing something important, I always buy some super cheap junk fabric and make the item out of that as a "trial run." Then I'll know if it's 6 inches too big or 2 inches too small before I cut out the "real" fabric. It's a pain, but it ends up saving me from bigger, more expensive pains later!

Heather said...

Wow! Good for you.

Bonnie the Boss said...

I think you did an amazing job. I think you are brave to take on that project.

Christy said...

you've inspired me to make a couple skirts from fabric that I have on my sewing desk... just waiting to be sewn! Great work! Zippers get way easier the more you do them, but I avoid them as much as I can!

Cris Dukehart said...

How adorable are you?!!
Just a little tidbit...
Pin the pattern pieces together and try it on.
It's so way easier to adjust the seamage and such before you cut and sew ;)
Can't wait to see the next.
Sarah