Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Sunday Sew-Day: Cobalt Blue, Part VI

So here's the thing. Sunday Sew-Day happened right on schedule. Unfortunately, my photograhusband has been MIA during daylight hours for the past couple days with pre-holiday work stuff. So today we get to play catch-up, cool?

This weekend I picked up a super-soft, super-huge jersey dress in that beautiful blue I've been harping on for weeks now. (I swear, this is it and then I'll move on, k?) This 2XL piece cost me only $3 and is going to make an awesome maxi skirt. Every time I wear a maxi skirt, I think, "Wow, this is comfy. I should wear these more often." And then I inevitably fall back into my jeans-wearing ways. But this time it'll be different. This time I'll change. I promise, baby, I can change.

Cobalt Blue Maxi SkirtCobalt Blue Maxi Skirt

Step one was removal of the skirt just below the waistband.

Cobalt Blue Maxi Skirt

Then I cut the top off the waistband as well.

Cobalt Blue Maxi Skirt

I opened up the side and shoulder seams to see how much fabric I had.

Cobalt Blue Maxi Skirt

I was able to get a new waistband out of the top back panel - a simple rectangle about 6 inches shorter than my waist measurement (to make it snug enough to stay up) and as wide as I could get it, about 9 inches.

Cobalt Blue Maxi Skirt

I sewed the ends together, right sides facing with a straight stitch.

Cobalt Blue Maxi SkirtCobalt Blue Maxi Skirt

Then I partially turned it right-side-out so it was folded in half. I pinned the raw edges to hold it together like that and set it aside for a minute.

Cobalt Blue Maxi Skirt

With the skirt, I wanted to keep the fullness at the bottom, but needed to take in the waistband about 6 inches. So I took in both side seams by 1.5 inches, tapering out as I went down. Again, I used a straight stitch, and I trimmed off the excess afterward.

Cobalt Blue Maxi SkirtCobalt Blue Maxi Skirt

I inserted my skirt, right-side-out, into my folded waistband and pinned the edges.

Cobalt Blue Maxi Skirt

I sewed all the way around with a zig-zag stitch to maintain stretchiness.

Cobalt Blue Maxi Skirt

And I was all done!

Cobalt Blue Maxi SkirtCobalt Blue Maxi Skirt

The great thing about maxi skirts, besides comfort of course, is their versatility. I plan to wear this during the winter with tights and boots. And in the summer I can toss the tights and throw on some thongs! (Sorry, I had to do it for alliteration's sake. I mean flip-flops, not uncomfortable underpants.)

Cobalt Blue Maxi SkirtCobalt Blue Maxi Skirt

I can even fold the waistband over and pull the skirt up a bit if I'm wearing shorter shoes and don't want to be walking on the bottom of my new skirt. I do wish I had made it just a bit tighter though. I thought 6 inches was a big enough negative ease to work, but apparently I underestimated the stretchiness of this fabric. It's tight enough to stay up, but yeah, it could stand to be a little tighter.

Cobalt Blue Maxi Skirt



Cobalt Blue Maxi Skirt - Before & After

Happy holidays to anyone who celebrates! I will be traveling this week, and thus not crafting. I'll be back in the new year with all new goodies to show you!

8 comments:

  1. I can't believe how many garments in cobalt blue you've been able to find! This looks super comfortable..

    Happy holidays to you, too, Carissa! Thanks for sharing your talent here.

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    1. It's been a challenge, seriously. I pretty much just scanned the racks at the thrift store until I see something cobalt and then decide if it's salvageable. Obviously, I wasn't able to find much that was good as-is with this theme park as with the black and white, but hey, you take what you can get!

      Thanks for always being supportive, Jenny! I hope to see you around in the coming year!

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  2. Good Save, Carissa!!!! And together with that really great black leather jacket!!
    Merry Christmas - safe travels!!

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    1. Thanks, Linda! I hope your holiday is just grand as well!

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  3. I just love the maxi skirt and it fits you so good. I also immediately recognised that jacket! =D i've been wanting to join you and sew along but so far it has been impossible.

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    1. Thanks, Magda! And no problem. I know how it feels to be super busy!

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  4. Great skirt! It's perfect! I'd wear it both before and after the refashion!

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    1. Thanks, Heather! It certainly wasn't terrible before, if it had been my size, but I love it now!

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