Orange Peel's Pocket and Swingset Skirt

Once Upon a Thread is definitely in the queue. But, the ideas are always percolating.  Sometimes I check out books at the library for me, a potential Once Upon a Thread post.

This was one of those books, except I knew I needed to have a copy of it.  Any book with "orange" and "pocket" in the title. ;) It's about a little girl who was adopted from China.  She wants to learn more about her native country to share with her schoolmates and visits family friends who can offer her some clues.  As she goes from neighbor to neighbor, they secretly slip something in her pocket to remind her what she learned.

When it's time to go to school to share her information about China, she gets nervous until she puts her hand in her pocket and is reminded how much she is loved and the great country where she was born.

The skirt is Oliver + S Swingset Skirt.  It's super simple, but it remains classy and so very versatile.  It can be altered a million ways.  I just added a pocket, but you could make it reversible, add ruffles to the lining, embellish with all sorts of trim, and the list goes on.  In fact, take a look at the sew-along to see what other versions were sewn up by other bloggers this week, here.

The deets: I used a baby-wale cord for the skirt and shirt, linen for the pocket. I used an Ottobre pattern for the shirt, although I was frustrated that the placket pieces didn't fit the cut out placket, so I made a tuck at the bottom.  I don't know that I'd make that particular one again.  I learned how to write "love" in Chinese for one of the little pocket items and free-motion stitched it.  Clover was impressed, which means I've succeeded, right? ;)

Once Upon a Thread: Chapter 5 {Little Red Hood with a Clever Charlotte Giveaway}

I am loving all the skirt name suggestions!  It's going to be hard to choose!  I am going to try to narrow it down to three or four or five....and put a poll up for you to vote. And while we're on the subject of red, how about some more? (And now my red fabric supply needs to be replenished!)

There are so many versions of Little Red Riding Hood, but this one is short, sweet, simple, and takes on a bit of a twist that will bring a smirk to your face.

I also made a bit of a twist on the hood.  And Red's basket. ;) 

The big red plaid reminded me of a picnic blanket, so we wrapped that picnic blanket up to forage for wild strawberries. 

Clover's picnic basket top is a Clever Charlotte pattern with my variation of added capped sleeves.  AND! It's reversible, so she can wear it on the white side with just a bit of the red peeking out on the front ties.  The little jacket is also a Clever Charlotte pattern, and it is also reversible, and as usual, I've fallen in love with Carla's (of Clever Charlotte) truly clever designs.  These were deceivingly simple, but ever so stunning.

Back to our plot.

These two have plans up their (short) sleeves.  They always do.

Just as Little Red Hood does for Mr. Wolf. Grab this book to find out what happens!

My strawberry is just a stamp that has the ink set with heat.

Clover's skirt is just a simple, self drafted pattern with over-sized pockets for treasures.  Because there are always treasures at this age. 

Azure's dress was actually he baptism dress, and I will share more on that later,

but I used an old pattern that I've used so many times because it's easy to alter.  I made the collar a bit smaller and the sleeves a bit shorter.  Also.  That little dip in the the hemline?  That was were I discovered a (rust?) stain after I nearly finished the whole thing.  I just cut it out (gasp!) and hemmed it with bias tape.  We seamstresses can do anything we want. Right?

These two.  Built in friends.  Built in enemies. 

How is your Once Upon a Thread sewing coming?  How about a little help?  Clever Charlotte is offering 15% discount to every single one of you through 10/11 (whoopie!) and leave a comment answering what you've been working on, sewing or not, to be entered into a giveaway for your pattern of choice!  Use coupon code NoBigDill15 for your discount.  I will leave the giveaway open until I close chapter five of Once Upon a Thread!

Once Upon a Thread: Chapter 5 (and giveaway!)

Happy National Sewing Month and welcome to Once Upon a Thread, Chapter 5!!  I'm all dressed up and ready to celebrate ;)  I thought we'd begin with ruffles, ruffles and more ruffles.  I've already worn this on several occasions and when you wear yours (and you will!) you can expect the compliments to roll in.  Then you'll tell them that you made it and their jaw will drop and the drool will start, to you ought to be prepared for such events.

When I taught my class at the SNAP! blogging conference over the summer, I taught the Coastal Curtsy Skirt and was delighted to be sponsored by my favorite ruffle fabric people, Julie and Linda.  When they arrived at the sewing room, Julie was wearing the most delightful, exotic skirt and I asked if they had a tutorial available for it yet.  I asked if I could put one together because I knew everyone would want to make this amazing maxi.  Am I right?  Rhetorical.  

This new fabric is called Boho Chic and comes in four colors.  I was going to originally make it in a conservative grey, but thought I'd bite the bullet and make it in the brilliant "Lava" instead.  Have you read "The Day the Crayons Quit?" 

It's a compilation of letters from Duncan's crayons who complain about being used for the same pictures every single time.  They are tired of it and want a change.

I suppose we are all like Duncan, in a way.  We all get in ruts of how we use our crayons, or in this case, how we use colors in our sewing.  I don't use much red in sewing, unless it's for Pearl, whose favorite color is red.  

And I love it!

It is almost as easy as the Coastal Curtsy Skirt, but there are two seams instead of one.  The trick is in the cutting of each piece.  They are EXACT copies, not reverses, so you can't simply fold your fabric in half and cut two at the same time.  

Here's how to think outside the crayon box:

• 2 1/2 yards of Boho Chic Ruffle Fabric

• 2 1/4" Elastic (enough for your waist--I used this and it is the softest, most luxurious elastic I've ever laid my hands on)

• Thread

1) Cut a quarter of a circle using the measurements of HALF your waist.  Don't worry about adding seam allowances because this fabric is very generous as far as elasticity.

2) Using a tape measure as the LENGTH you want your maxi, follow the waistline and cut the hem, rotating the tape measure.

3) Cut an exact replicate for the other side (below)

4) Put right sides together and pin down each side, making sure the ruffles are all going in the downward direction. Stitch using a serger or a slight zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine with 1/2" seam allowance.

5) Measure the elastic by wrapping it around your waist.  I use this method because different elastics have a different amount of stretch and different people prefer varying snugness for their skirts.  This will be holding up a lot of fabric, so I made mine very snug.

6) Stitch elastic ends together and pin to your elastic to your skirt, careful to make sure the ruffles are not bunched up, but they are all going in the same direction. Stitch with a slight zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine, or use a serger but CAUTION: do not even knick this type of elastic with your blade or the waistband will just unravel and come off.  (I learned from experience and had to put my waistband on twice.)

7) There is no need to hem, but with the amount of stretch due to the weight of the fabric, I ended up cutting off about an inch and a half when the skirt was finished.

It is so much fun to wear.  But.

I have a problem!

My skirt needs a name!

Giveaway: I thought it would be fun to get your suggestions and the winner will receive 2 1/2 yards of this Boho Chic fabric plus elastic for their own skirt!  So, get thinking and get suggesting all your fabulous ideas.  I will have my ruffle girls help judge the winner.  Happy OUT!

OUT Chapter 4: YOU!

I thoroughly enjoyed all of your creations you added to the flickr group!  You've been working hard!  Take a look at a few of them:

A sweet little nurse outfit from A little Golden Book: Pepper Plays Nurse by Ros.

Nicely executed piping on Brave Emily by Sharon

One of our favorite books, Press Here, dress by Liza Jane who printed her own fabric!

And you can bet your orange-y goodness that I'm in love with this sweet outfit based on Caps For Sale! sewn by Shelly.

Where's Waldo?!  Of course!  He's in the pocket! Created by Michelle.

Isn't this the perfect classic retro dress? Inspired by The Lonely Doll, created by Sewing Our Sanity

Suzy Lee gave this as a shower gift, inspired by the book Wave.  Perfect!

A perfect recreation of The Teddy Bears' Picnic by Sally

Stefi made matching shirts based on a little board book!

Laura makes me want to get Mouk with her sweet creation!

I love this black and white of Max from Where the Wild Things Are, created by Michelle.

Abby made the "boys" in her life matching blazers, just like Peter Rabbit!  So adorable!

I loved all the things for boys!  I think Drummer boy needs to get in on the next chapter of OUT.  Chapter 5 perhaps?  Thank you to everyone who participated, both my guests here, and those who added photos to the Flickr group.  I enjoyed it all!  Chapter 4 comes to a close, but keep your minds spinning and pages turning for the next installment of Once Upon a Thread! I have another series I'd like to invite everyone to participate in that I will announce tomorrow!