Constructing: Cheap Frills Skirt

Thursday, November 4, 2010

I've had this fabric sitting in my closet for three years, so finally I cut out a silhouette and gave it to a really talented seamstress I know to work it up (since I've been too busy sewing for other people to get anything done for myself). hehehe
I told her to leave it unhemmed 'cuz I wanted to try this ruching at the bottom.

You all know my success rate with dressing in neutrals is about once every three months, but looking at these pictures, I thought, I think I really did it this time!
Even Tien could be proud of me!

(Kristina J. Cheap Frills Skirt, GAP blouse, Anthro Pony Prix Tights, MIA Cadet Booties)


Here's a tutorial for those of you wanting to try this at home.

This is machine ruching--basically a piece of fabric gathered on both sides and sewn into something. You can do this on an angle or straight, like I did here.
Anytime you're adding gathers to something a
good rule to follow is the rule of three.

Determine the width in inches, then triple that number.
For example, the width of the bottom of this skirt was 20 inches lying flat, so I doubled that number to 40 to include the front and back then made my gathering strip 120 inches wide.

If you only double the width, you'll get to few gathers and to multiply by
four might be overkill, unless a really, really full look is what you're after.
Three times the width gives you a really generous amount of gathering.

Your facing strip would only be the same width as the skirt bottom--40 inches.




10 comments:

  1. I love it! I definitely need to try this now.

    www.clothedmuch.com

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  2. Excellent job! I love the rouching!
    Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
    AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

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  3. I am in love with that skirt! I think it would look so cute on the edge of a scarf or something. I might have to try it. Thanks!

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  4. Holy cow. That is awesome! And so feminine and pretty.

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  5. Amazing details on the ruching. I wouldn't attempt it but it gives the skirt a new look. And I love seeing pink ang grey together.

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  6. What a pretty little skirt Kristina. Thanks for the demo on how to sew the ruching, although I doubt i'd ever own a sewing machine in my lifetime :-) You are so so talented! Your outfit is the sweetest thing!

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  7. Beautiful skirt . I love that color, unfortunately I dont have any clothes in it. If only my closet would have such treasures inside... Cant wait to see the winner Anthro-inspired dress you are working on :)

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  8. I think you do wonderfully well with neutrals! Thanks for the sewing tip. I just inherited my mother's Kenmore from the 80s and I'm thrilled! I had borrowed a friend's computerized one, but it felt so flimsy. This one is heavy and substantial. I'm trying to learn, so any and all tips are much appreciated!

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  9. Kristina,

    A sewing machine is tops on my list when I get my bonus in Spring. I'm amazed by your abilities to transform so much stuff.

    I'm with Tien! More tips please.

    You are wearing my Pony Prix Tights. Anthro airmailed a new pair. The first pair smelled of gasoline. I soaked them in Tide and Fab Softener and it didn't dissipate. Now I'm still waiting for the second pair.

    Jealous!

    Laura

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  10. Beautiful neautral and great job with the skirt!!

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