I am so happy to be back for Sewvivor this week with some selfish sewing! I made three pieces this week – a t-shirt, a blazer, and a tulle skirt (tutorial below).
When I found out I would be competing, I immediately headed to the fabric store to find some buttons. I’m pretty practical about buttons – I get functional ones when I need them and don’t really have a button stash. Luckily for me buttons were half off because I got inspired by these blingy bejeweled and vintage looking buttons, which were also quite pricey for my three pieces. I sewed the buttons all over my Rose T-shirt pattern as decoration, using transparent thread so as not to take away from the bling. The t-shirt itself is 100% bamboo knit that I hand dyed, and it is sooooo soft.
The blazer is the showpiece, and where I spent most of my time. I drafted the pattern based on a green velvet blazer I’ve owned and loved for years. It took forever and reminded me of why I never want to compete on Project Runway – I would never get done in time for the runway. The fabric is also hand dyed by me; I’ve been hoarding some off-white cotton velvet for a while for this purpose. The jacket is fully lined and features a single button front, rounded patch pockets, vintage inspired non-functional buttons on the cuffs, back vent and a notched collar.
AND – I’m planning a blazer sew along next week with a free version of this pattern for those on my newsletter list.
I decided that instead of modeling these pieces with some dyed skinny jeans, I would make the tulle skirt I’ve been wanting to do. But instead of doing elastic or a zipper, in keeping with the theme I decided to do a button closure for the skirt. Read on to see the tulle skirt tutorial.
To start, I cut out 9 circles – 1 of lining fabric, 4 of creme tulle, 2 of white tulle and 2 of sparkle creme tulle. I went for the different colors to add depth to the skirt – it’s subtle, but you can see it in person.
Circle math – follow the diagram below if you’ve never made a circle skirt.
Next I did a rolled edge hem on my lining circle, so I wouldn’t have to worry about hemming it with layers of tulle to move out of the way. The tulle is unhemmed.
Since I was working with so many layers and tulle can be fussy, I found it easiest to drape the circles around Molly’ the Mannequin’s shoulders and pin one layer at a time into place. Tedious, but it worked. I counted the layers each time I repinned to make sure I was catching all the tulle at the waist.
Once the waist was pinned, I basted it so the tulle wouldn’t escape as I worked, then I cut a slit into one side through all the layers for the button closure. More pins.
I used satin ribbon to make both 1/2″ and 1″ bias tape. Tip: spray starch kept the satin from unfolding after I ironed it with my bias tip. I made tiny bias tape button loops (fold 1/2″ single bias tape in half and sew shut) and pinned those onto my skirt. Elastic cord would also work, but I didn’t have any on hand and the satin just looks prettier, I think.
I basted the loops in place, then I pinned 1/2″ bias tape on both sides of the slit, sandwiching the loops and edges in between.
Sew down both edges of the tape, then fold the bottom and stitch across so it lies flat – like a sleeve placket.
After that, I used the 1″ single fold bias tape to bind the waist. Then I sewed on the covered buttons (more satin ribbon) and I was done.
And Hubby may have convinced me to give twirling a try for photos, and this skirt does twirl beautifully, but on an empty but for coffee stomach on Easter morning it also reminded me why I quit ballet – twirling and my head don’t agree. But hey, a grown up women can twirl in the park in a poufy skirt if she wants to, right? The guy with his metal detector didn’t even look up.
Max
Oh Melly you look beautiful!!! This is such a gorgeous outfit!!
Theresa
Absolutely gorgeous! Great job, heading over to vote.
kelly
I love the whole outfit!
Rachel
So so lovely !!!
The colors are gorgeous and the textures, too.
How wonderful that you sewed this ~ you have such range with your sewing skills!
I look forward to seeing what you create for the quilted challenge.
Jessica McLard
Such a nice outfit, thanks for the tut! My daughter just said I must have that skirt so it looks like I will have to make one in both our sizes!!
Fiona
Voted for your beautiful work Mel!!! Love, love, love those buttons. And I think you modeled it rather grandly, you could have had your lads in top hats;)
Kim
Love, love, love it!!! Thank you for the tute, have to make one 🙂
Catlin
Great job! I’m impressed with all that you did! Good luck to you! 🙂
Tara Karmas
This outfit is AMAZING! The shirt is making me want to purchase this pattern next, I am a blazer JUNKIE so hopefully I will be along for the sew along if I can get some fabric and this tulle skirt is LOVELY to say the least–that button closure with the satin is SO so pretty–no WAY you would be voted out this week!
Veronica
Simply beautiful! I love it all, especially the skirt.
Carolyn
Oh, how pretty! I love that you made a tulle skirt look so sophisticated! And the jacket is gorgeous!
Martha
Your sewing is amazing:) this is wow!! Love your projects!!!
Amy mayen
Selfish sewing rocks! You look great!
Charity
Lovely outfit and photos–the whole vibe is great!
Ledys
Gorgeous! I love everything you made, and will be looking forward to the sewalong! 😉
EmSewCrazy
So lovely! All the pieces are great but I especially love the grown up version of a twirly tulle skirt!
domestic bliss squared
I love this skirt, and the t shirt, they’re gorgeous!
suzanne winter
BLOWN AWAY!!!! This is gorgeous, love the vintage-y buttons – but I WANT that skirt… now to find the right fabric to make my own ;o)
Jill Flory
Beautiful! Every single detail is awesome! I love that you drafted the pattern for your blazer – best fit you can get is to do it yourself 🙂
Emily
LOVE this outfit!!! The blazer is AMAZING. And the buttons are a fun touch on the tulle skirt. I made a tulle skirt and basting each layer made a huge difference. I went the lazy elastic way for the waistline though. 🙂
Jess
gorgeous, all of it! I love the tulle skirt!
Ajaire
This is gorgeous! I love the dyed bamboo knit. It’s the perfect color purple. And I look forward to seeing the blazer sew along!
sorahart
Ooooh, pretty skirt! I like that this is a grown-up version of the lovely skirts the little girls get to wear. Maybe this is a silly question–but it tulle really wide enough that you could make a circle skirt without having to piece anything? Using a circle skirt silhouette makes it so much more flattering than a gathered waist. Truly a beautiful outcome.
Delia
I love how you made your tulle skirt. LOVE it. I also neeed that blazer. 😉
kristin
REALLY gorgeous, Melissa!!! I’m in awe of that blazer. I want to know how to sew one! Off to subscribe to your newsletter (and I’m not a big newsletter subscriber, so this is a big step for me). 😉
Danielle
I just had to tell you that you look so cute and feminine in this beautiful outfit!!! I love it! And I WILL definitely try this skirt tutorial on my own! 🙂 Newest follower here from a link party tonight!
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Tara
Congratulations Melissa on advancing to the quilting round!! I TOLD YOU!! LOL!! Great job! I just know you have something awesome in store for next week!
Jo Shaffer
Melissa,
we would love it, if you would come over and link this up to our Make for Mom’s Month of May linky party. http://shaffer-sisters.blogspot.com/2013/05/make-for-mom-link-up.html It is a super cute outfit!
Way to go Momma!
with love
-Jo
teresa Gonzalez
Dear Joey G. I read your comment and after studying the math I tell you what I think it is.
Double the fabric in four.
Measure your waist, then divide it into 6.28. It is the number of cm you have to put in A. Then as it is done in the graphic trace a circle or a quarter of a circle there.
After that measure the large you want in the shirt.It is B. Then a circular trace again. Cut it and continue as is said in the explanation.
Have a good year and hope it can be understood. Bye
Teresa