With all the sewing I do for others, I wanted to make something for me. I experienced some guilt over this because of the sewing to-do list that threatens to suffocate my family. And whenever I experience guilt for something like that, I then decide I must do it because, well, feeling guilty for making myself a skirt is ridiculous.
I’ve had my eye on the Yard Sale Wrap Skirt from Weekend Sewing (great book) for over a year. And, last weekend (!) I did it. I was mildly freaking out over the fabric to pick because I wanted something light and summery but able to be falley with boots and I desperately wanted to love it since I was shelving all of my responsibilities…I just went with my first idea which is this weird woodland print probably meant for a nursery but I just adore it and wanted it twirling around my legs.
And twirl it does.
Do you ever look at photos like this and wonder how that person took those photos and what was going on? Like, is dig just spinning by herself in her living room? Who took the photo? Is anyone else around? I wonder these things. I wonder what is finny thinking? and are Lera‘s six children are running around in the background? I set my camera up on a timer, perched on upside-down mixing bowls or something, and I usually convince Margot to stand where I will stand so I have something to set the focus. Sometimes she thinks this is cool and other times she’d rather do anything but, so I use a chair or Alice. Then, I push the button and run and hope I look svelte. Margot and Ruby both love this part. Andy, if he’s around, acts as if I am just buttering toast. The twirling that came with this particular photo shoot was a total hit with the girls. Even though it took me a while to recover from the first spin…I quickly realized I don’t need to spin as fast as I can for the entire beeping sequence of the auto-timer…mama almost hurled.
that most beautiful scarf was knit by my dear friend Anne
Anyway, I sewed into the wee hours of last Sunday morning AND I REALLY LOVE IT. Like I wouldn’t change anything. I don’t know if I’ve ever said that about something I’ve sewn for myself before…
So, I will most likely be wearing it several times a week for the next several years. I am definitely wearing it out tomorrow night for Missoula’s first Friday gallery walk. And Saturday for coffee and Sunday for Mother’s Day.
I even like it when it clutters up my vanity, next to the red plastic barrette and goldfish cracker.
* deets on pattern alteration*
I took seven inches off the length because I don’t need any fabric hem calling attention to my, ahem, muscular calves. Also, like everyone else who blogged about this skirt, I added two panels so not to show all of Missoula my privates. And, I didn’t hand-sew the hem. I machine stitched the ittiest hem my fingers could fold. It look three yards of fabric and I was still a wee bit short…I was distraught and determined and the orange underside to the waistband was a last minute decision. I like it.
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44 Comments
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! And the orange on the waistband is cute!
I was actually shopping around for a summery skirt the other day – one I could wear to a couple of weddings we have to attend this summer. I realized that my body just wasn’t made for skirts. I have wide hips as it is…and with the “flowy-ness” of skirts, it makes me look a million times more wide. Yuck! Wish I could pull skirts off as nicely as you do!
I also must add that for just having a baby – wow – you look great!!! 🙂
Awe thanks, Wesley! Oh, the trials of finding clothing that flatters and fits…it’s painful and endless. I also have hips and don’t look great in pleated items. Or, god god, pencil items. A line is always my go-to skirt. I don’t know if you sew but this pattern is great because, while flowey, it isn’t bulky.
I love it, and good for you for taking the time to make something just for you!! I was wondering about how you took the pics, too…you read my mind. You do realize that now you’ll have orders for this skirt!
I love it!
I especially like the orange waistband. And like Melissa, I too wondered who (if anyone) was behind your camera. Lovely!
it’s fabulous. what machine do you have? i’m looking for a new one. my bobbin is secretly trying to kill me!
This is just the cutest post ever. I love the behind-the-scenes description of the photo shoot.
Beautiful shirt, well-done, yay! And kudos to you for all your sewing. Sewing machines terrify me. Even watching other people use them terrifies me.
Oh, BTW, I am taking the day off of work tomorrow to….GARDEN! Pull weeds in the front yard, maybe get a start on the back…and possibly…the veggie patch, ha.
– iColossus
Beautiful shirt, well-done, yay! And kudos to you for all your sewing. Sewing machines terrify me. Even watching other people use them terrifies me.
Oh, BTW, I am taking the day off of work tomorrow to….GARDEN! Pull weeds in the front yard, maybe get a start on the back…and possibly…the veggie patch, ha.
– iColossus
Beautiful shirt, well-done, yay! And kudos to you for all your sewing. Sewing machines terrify me. Even watching other people use them terrifies me.
Oh, BTW, I am taking the day off of work tomorrow to….GARDEN! Pull weeds in the front yard, maybe get a start on the back…and possibly…the veggie patch, ha.
– iColossus
Beautiful shirt, well-done, yay! And kudos to you for all your sewing. Sewing machines terrify me. Even watching other people use them terrifies me.
Oh, BTW, I am taking the day off of work tomorrow to….GARDEN! Pull weeds in the front yard, maybe get a start on the back…and possibly…the veggie patch, ha.
– iColossus
Beautiful shirt, well-done, yay! And kudos to you for all your sewing. Sewing machines terrify me. Even watching other people use them terrifies me.
Oh, BTW, I am taking the day off of work tomorrow to….GARDEN! Pull weeds in the front yard, maybe get a start on the back…and possibly…the veggie patch, ha.
– iColossus
“shelving all of my responsibilities”……are you NUTS! Your greatest responsibility is to yourself….if mama ain’t happy no one is:) AND this is diffidently a “harry skirt” GREAT job Burb!
xoxo
ps…you never looked more svelte
Always, always give a little back to yourself – it’s how we recharge ourselves for all we DO give to our families. 🙂
Gorgeous, and I concur with everyone on the orange waistband, it’s lovely.
Very, very cute skirt. Don’t ever feel guilty for sewing for yourself! You deserve it.
(And, yes, my kids are usually running around the house beating each other silly when I’m trying to take pix. Unless I’ve conned one of them to take the picture.)
Ahh, what a sweet skirt. I love it with the boots, love it with the pretty heels. Very versatile. So funny about how you took the picture! I was thinking that exact thought when I opened your post. I pondered immediately..is her sweet husband shooting her while she twirls about her living room? You are hilarious. 🙂 And talented. xo. Malissa.
Love the skirt but love the image of you power spinning the duration of the beeping even more!
it’s fabulous.
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Beautiful skirt, and beautiful that you took some time to do something for YOU!
I haven’t sewn for years, but you are definitely inspiring me…….hmmmm.
Megan, I sew with my old singer featherweight that I inherited from my grandma….I love it for its simplicity and history. I also have an industrial pfaff that I use when I need zig zag stitch or a longer arm…honestly, I don’t know anything about sewing machines!
love it. Can you make me one?
That is hotness. I love the contrastiness. Wear it with pride – a skirt well deserved!
My photo shoots range from the semi-sane timered camera on a good old tripod to the sketchy balanced on the edge of the flower pot shots. Usually the dog is trying to kiss me or bring me her bone when the camera goes off. 😉
Love it, Nici. You should enter in Project Selvedge next year.
you look hot!!
Love it! And the orange!
Hey, hot mama. You look great. Good for you for sewing for yourself. Love, love those fabrics together. Did you ‘install’ a zipper? Or, is it elastic?
You’ve inspired me to knit for myself.
xoxo lovin’ your shoes, too.
“All I want are high heels, high heels. If I was a girl, I’d wear a lot of high heels. High, stiletto heels.”
Isaac Mizrahi
I totally sewed this skirt two weeks ago!! But, unfortunately did not add extra panels, and so it is more of a swimsuit wrap than a skirt. I definitely could not wear it without flashing some serious skin. I’ll try again with more panels!! Thanks for the tips! It’s awesome BTW.
SO beautiful.
and honestly … i’ve never really wondered about people during the taking of their pictures … maybe because i do it myself. but now i’m so going to wonder about each and every picture i see!
i love that you spun.
happy mama’s day to you! this was a perfect present to give to yourself.
that skirt is divine! you twirling around your living room to the delight of your beautiful girls makes me happy. you. are. amazing. again and again.
i am happily munching on your peach butter every five minutes…or as often as i walk into the kitchen which is a lot since the homemade goodness calls my name in that sultry voice, can’t stop. thank you dig, love you.
when you comin’?
Twirl beautiful Mama twirl!
that is VERY cute on you. i love the orange tie, it really makes it fun. nice last minute choice! i love how those little random decisions end up making us love our creations so much more. the first photo is delicious!! i want to go make that now!!
that is a lovely skirt. and i liked what you wrote about photography. i almost always shoot shots of myself, because it is the only way to control the outcome. i haven’t explored the timer though. need to. noted.
Love the skirt – you do a fab twirl as well! Time on something for yourself is well spent indeed.
Cheers,
Kate
Happy Mother’s Day! Love your blog and hope you and your family are having a nice day! Missoula is pretty gorgeous today. I’m totally loving the “M” (=Mom)!
Beautiful! time spent on yourself is a direct gift to your children bc you’re happier, refreshed and yourself around them! what a gift!
love the skirt and the orange under the waistband is inspired!! you should sell those on your site!
Cute! I had wondered if that was a good pattern, so thanks for the review! xo
p.s. Did you get my FB email?
Thanks for all the skirt love!
Mama Jenn: No zipper or elastic. It’s a wrap skirt pieced together by eight curved panels.
Finny: always pictured Jada roaming somewhere close by!
cake: self timer! You’ll love it. Just don’t spin during the beeping or you’ll regret it.
Joanna: do you think it’s too late to add panels? I supposed you’d have to reattach the waist band…hmm.
Wesley: the M! Oh it made my day. I adore whoever took the time to do that. So fabulous.
Sage: Yep, it’s a good pattern. I did get your fascebook message and I replied…you didn’t get it?
N, got it… I will reply when I get a minute to write something thought provoking. Thanks so much. Your awesome. xo
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I’m working on this skirt now and want to shorten it, too. Forgive me if this is a dumb question, but how did you do it? Did you just take 7 inches off the bottom of the pattern skirt and recreate the basic curve? Or did you take 3.5″ off the top and 3.5″ off the bottom? Or did you cut the pattern, take 7″ out the middle, and then redraw the vertical diagonal lines from the waist to the hem so that the hem was still the same width as in the longer pattern? Thanks!!
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Hi Traci,
Perhaps you have already figured this out (sorry for my delayed response!). I took the seven inches off the bottom. You want to leave the top as the pattern suggests so it attaches nicely to the waistband. Would love to see a pic when it’s done! I love this pattern.
Warmly, Nici
Super LOVE it. I love me some twirly skirts, too. I think that might need to be my next find. 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration!
Amy