This is what happens...

When you're walking around in the dark...




And you run into the ironing board...




And the iron falls off the other end...

Panel Skirt Tutorial - Part One: Cutting

Well here it is at last, the long promised skirt tutorial! I am sorry it took so long, I really did not mean for it to. Because it is so long (I took lots of pictures) I decided to publish it in three parts: cutting, sewing the panels and sewing the ruffle. After they have all been posted they will be linked together on the sidebar. Please let me know if you think there is anything that is not clear enough or needs revision. You can click the pictures to enlarge them. As you scroll down it will look like a lot of steps but it is really very easy. I hope you enjoy!

List of Materials:

- 100% cotton Fabric in the following amounts:

1 yard for middle panels and ruffle

1/3 yard each of two fabrics for the side panels

- A Skirt that fits you in the waist and is made of a heavy weight material

- Gridded quilting Ruler or a Yardstick

- Scissors

- Straight Pins

- Iron and Ironing Board

- Sewing Machine

- Thread that matches your ruffle fabric

- Tape Measure

- Jeans/Denim Needle

Seam allowance: 1/2 inch

Instructions:

1) Wash and dry both your skirt and your fabric.

2) Lay your skirt out flat making note of the placement of all the pockets. If there are any in-seam pockets pull them out so that you don't cut them accidentally.

3) Lay the ruler on the skirt so that the bottom edge is one inch below the lowest pockets. Or, if you are using a yardstick place it across the skirt so that the top edge is up against the bottom edge of the lowest pockets



4) Place a row of straight pins across the bottom of the ruler or yard stick to mark your cutting line then remove the ruler and cut straight across just below the pins. Remove the pins.

5) Now you need to decide how wide you want your side panels to be. You don't want them quite as wide as your middle panel (the focal point) but still wide enough that they are not drawfed by it. When you decide measure the distance very carefully from the side seam on both sides and mark with a pin (you should have four pins in your skirt). Set your skirt aside.

6) Iron one of your side panel materials folding it lengthwise with a fold at the top and both selvages at the bottom. Mark the approximate middle of the top edge. Add one inch to the width you decided on. Mark the side edges of your panel centering your middle pin.

7) Use your top mark to find and mark the middle of the bottom edge.

8) Mark your panels bottom side edges. You will want the bottom wider than the top to create an A-line. Then using your ruler or yardstick as a guide pin straight down from your top edge pins to your bottom edge pins.

9) Cut out your side panels using the pins as a guide (just like on the skirt). Then take out the pins and cut the two panels apart along the fold line.

10) Iron your second side print the same way you did the first. To cut your second side panel print just lay one of your first ones on top of the fabric and cut around it.

11) Measure between your pins on the front and back of your skirt to find the top widths (the front and back may be different) of your middle panels.

12) Iron your middle/ruffle fabric. Cut off 1/3 yard of your fabric for the middle panel then cut it in half along the fold (your front and back will probably be different and will need to be cut separately. Repeat steps 6 through 9 to cut the middle panels.

13) Decide how wide you want your ruffle (I usually do 4-6 inches depending on the height of the wearer. Cut three pieces the total width of the fabric (selvage to selvage) the width you decided upon. I used my rotary mat and cutter for this but the pin method used for the panels works as well.

Now you have everything cut!

I am afraid I may have to delay posting the next part for a little while. It took me three days to do this one and I have a few things that need to be done right now. I will get back to it as soon as possible though.

Party Delights

I found the missing memory card! It was in a camera case in the driveway. Go figure.

We were invited to attend a celebration in honor of our little friend Mellisa Anne's second birthday. Everyone had a delightful time hunting for treasures, planting seeds, decorating cookies and embracing the merriment of it all.

See you again soon!

All photos were taken by my lovely mother.

Flowers, Dots and Ruffles

Emma was in need of some Summer clothes. We went to Jo-Ann and she got to help pick out fabric for new skirts.

Pattern: Butterick 4722

I had to lengthen it about five inches because she is so tall!

The prints are definitely "her".

Back Again

I must apologize for my long absence. I was out of town almost all of last week and this week I have had bad allergies (yesterday I couldn't talk at all). I know that is really no excuse but it is the best I can come up with in my defense.

Just before Easter we were able to attend a father-daughter dinner at church. We had a lovely time together and the girls vastly enjoyed getting dressed up and going out with Daddy.

All dressed up and ready to go!

Greeting friends. Mary Laurence's friend Sarah (whom she talks about all the time) made her dress for the dinner. Isn't it just smashing?!

Somehow Daddy and Emma became involved in the entertainment. The girl's were asked a question about their fathers and then the dad's held up a paper with the answer.

I think that's all for now. I have some sweet birthday party pictures to post but unfortunately I have misplaced the memory card they are on. But you may rest assured that I will post them as soon as the wayward card is found! (Can you tell I've been reading Robin Hood?)

P.S. - Just in case you are wondering, no, I did not make my dress.

Annie's Grey Top

I just watched this movie last night and though it probably won't go on my favorites list I did really enjoy it. It was so funny to see silly Mr. Coxe as a swashbuckler! I capped this costume for a cyberspace friend and I might add one or two more costumes later while I still have the DVD.

It's Time!

That's right! It's time to see who won!

First though, I just wanted to say that I was shocked at the amount of replies I received on the giveaway post. It made me feel so good to see that number! Thanks so much for letting me know that you are out there reading! Now on to the drawing!

Mary Laurence very dutifully closed her eyes while drawing.

And the winner is Amber! Congratulations! You can contact me through Sense and Sensibility message forum (my username is "finduilas") or you can e-mail me at carolinegf1(at)gmail(dot)com.

Lizzie's Nightgown and Blouse

The Prop Store of London is selling the nightgown and blouse worn by Keira Knightley in Pride and Prejudice. I saved the pictures and posted them below.

Did You Know?

That according to Mary Laurence...

the Lone Ranger...

is going to marry...

a ballerina?

Just a note ~ I found out today that I will not be home tomorrow (Saturday) night. So, I am moving the drawing for the purse to tomorrow afternoon. See you then!

I liked my giveaway bag so much...

...that I made another!

This time I used fabric from Amy Butler's Belle collection purchased from Etsy. The lining is from Hobby Lobby (well actually it was from my scrap bag but Hobby Lobby is where it originally came from).

I had way too many ribbon choices for this bag!

I haven't fully decided what I'm going to do with this one. But, I must say, I am strongly leaning towards keeping it for myself!

Don't forget! The drawing isn't 'till Saturday so there is still plenty of time to enter the giveaway!