Hi everyone! I’m Jess and I blog over at Quilty Habit. I’m currently a senior at a New Jersey college, studying to become a social studies teacher, and I’m getting married next year – very busy but always thinking about my next craft! I’d like to thank Jenna for giving me a chance to blog about my Terrain patchwork skirt 
I got into sewing about a year and a half ago, except up until this summer I had yet to venture past the realm of quilting and mug rugs. However, my crafting style is spontaneous/risk-taking – I often don’t think about what I won’t be able to do and I just jump in, figuring it out from there. I feel like it’s the best way for me to maximize creativity!
Anyway, going into my last year of college, I got this idea to make a skirt. This is a sewing project, but once you get into it, it’s totally worth it. I started looking up tutorials online, but there weren’t any specifically for patchwork adult skirts. I may, in the future, make my own version. For now, I followed the tips and directions from these two links at Indietutes: here and here. I found that the only big difference is using more fabric. I also kept trying the skirt on as I added layers, to make sure it was flowing right, fit right, etc.
I had become obsessed with Kate Spain’s new line, Terrain, so I bought a layer cake. That ended up being cheaper than buying charm packs – plus, I would have some extra. Score I added some Bella and Kona solids from my stash to fit the colors from this line.
I added some Bella and Kona solids from my stash to fit the colors from this line.
It was quite an easy process, just time consuming (about 4 days of non-stop work). Sewing all the rows together was a pinning nightmare – just look at how far across my living room the bottom of the skirt stretched (ignore the fabric on the couch that’s gathering in yet another room of the house)!
After that, it was all about gathering (I ended up doing some pleating because the pieces of fabric became so long), and sewing it all together. Plus, adding elastic to a waistband – my first time, and it was not difficult at all. Also, I sewed all the raw edges inside the skirt with a zig zag stitch, because I don’t have a serger. You don’t want your skirt to come apart in the wash. Another option would be adding in another layer of fabric to the inside, almost like a slip.
Then… you get to twirl =D
If this seems like too much work, or maybe you’d like to make a different kind of dress or skirt, I’ve found a few that are easy to sew and totally adorable:
-This short tute over at Obsessively Stitching is for a tiered skirt for that little girl in your life – made from t-shirts! I’m sure you could alter this by using a bit more fabric to make one for yourself
-This tute over at Talk2TheTrees is all about combining a tank top and a piece of fabric. So simple and perfect!
-Finally, this great new tute over at A Law Student’s Journey shows you how to easily convert a dress into an apron.
Inspired yet? I hope so! Get sewing! And come visit my blog and say hi Thanks again, Jenna, and good luck with the surgery – looking forward to having you back!
Thanks again, Jenna, and good luck with the surgery – looking forward to having you back!
That turned out fab! I’m all for adapting kids’ skirts to adult versions (says the woman with the Riley Black Love Birds skirt ;o) )
So cute!
It’s really beautiful!