feeling orange

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

What will a 20"x58" piece of fabric get you?  A new skirt for your little girl in about 30 minutes.  Okay.  It took me an hour but that is because I tried to get the lint out of my sewing machine and couldn't figure out how to put the darn thing back together.  All fixed now and ready to make a few more of these.  No pattern necessary.  Just sew the salvage edge with right sides together (this will be a back seam). Make a casing that will hold a 2" piece of elastic, leaving an opening to feed elastic.  Feed elastic through.  Sew opening closed.  And voila.  A new bright, happy polka-dot skirt.  Libby thought she wanted an unfinished edge on the bottom but changed her mind and now wants it to be hemmed.  So, a 1" hem it will get.

I'll be back tomorrow to show you my new favorite way to give a gift card.  
Have a great one.

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70 comments

  1. Great skirt! I do wish sometimes that I had a little girl to sew and knit for. (although I've definitely gotten my share of sewing in on the boys' Halloween costumes)

    OT - Have to ask you about the R2-D2 - my boys are crazy for Star Wars, and I haven't seen that particular R2 before. Looks like it could be remote control?

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  2. What a fantastic skirt! Those fun quick projects are so great.

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  3. Adorable! I love the bold orange dots. I think that wall is the same color as my girls' bedroom.

    I used to make skirts like this for myself when I was in college. They are the perfect thing for one who is on a budget and wants something new to wear out on a date.

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  4. Cute! I'll have to try that for the munchkins this summer. And maybe for me too!

    Love the colors in this post, by the way...

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  5. "And so shall we know the bright orange glow of Brother Sun."

    Just came up with that one, inspired by your photo, it's most fantabulous composition, that will but turn what might be a frown into a smile! :)

    Delightful, happy, casual, comfy, and sweet...your favorite 11 year old and that adorable skirt you made for her....totally!

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  6. very cute! the polka dots are just so cheerful.

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  7. The orange dots really make this skirt. So cute.

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  8. What great oranges!! And I just love those "Whip'em up" projects!!

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  9. That's my favorite way to make skirts for Annika! I have a whole stack o' fabric waiting for her new summer skirts and dresses (which are not much more complicated).

    I'm loving those polka dots and now I have to go ogle fabric and try not to buy.

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  10. Anonymous3/18/2009

    cute skirt, and hello, R2!

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  11. Oh, that is just SO cute. And what a great photo! I love how R2D2 is there supervising things. :)

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  12. Anonymous3/18/2009

    I love the cute little skirt! adorable how the dots work together.
    Have a good day Les!
    C

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  13. What a lucky little girl you have!

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  14. Again, coolest mom ever!

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  15. Very cool skirt! I need to make my daughter some of those now that warmer weather is coming. I have to ask about the R2-D2 too! Who makes it? My son is Star Wars crazy right now!

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  16. Adorable! I love when my machine is clean, dust free and ready to go - that is rarely the case! Is your daughter interested in sewing? I started at 10 and have loved it ever since.

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  17. It's darling! I'd love to see the rest of the room that the orange wall goes with!

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  18. What fun dots! I got on a skirt-making kick last year using thrifted bed sheets. I used a similar method. By the end of the summer, I had a whole wardrobe full of dirt cheap funky skirts. I'm sure I'll be making more this season.

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  19. So cute! I just ordered fabric to make the Twirly Skirt you have shown before....I think I need to try my hands at sewing. My girls would love these skirts! You are so great with these projects.

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  20. love all the orange, and that skirt is great!

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  21. Looks great and sounds easy to do! I love the fabric - really cheerful, just in time for spring!

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  22. Pretty! And smart! Love the orange wall, too!

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  23. adorable! i showed it to jane hoping she'd get excited. nope. kate took the bait, though.

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  24. I really do love orange! That's great!

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  25. What a fun idea! Great skirt and color - thanks for sharing!

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  26. Excellent! And a great photo too.

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  27. Cute skirt, Les! Libby is one lucky gal.

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  28. You know you lost me at "selvedge edge," right? Still, though, very pretty!

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  29. love! love so much! i was wondering if you think a similar nonpattern skirt can work for us grown up girls? hmmm

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  30. I love the fabric you used for that skirt, it looks fantastic. I think I may have some fabric that I can turn into one of those for my little girl too.

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  31. my boys have been begging for that fish tank!

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  32. love that skirt...wonder how many yards I'd need to make myself one? hmmmm. Libby is too cute! Wish my girls were into skirts.

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  33. That's wicked cute! I seriously want one!

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  34. Anonymous3/18/2009

    oh, it turned out perfectly. and love the orange wall.

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  35. Unreal. This skirt rules:)

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  36. Anonymous3/18/2009

    Ok, i am brimming with the happy colours. very cute.

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  37. Great skirt and photo! Your composition is wonderful and choice of fabric so fun! Love the R2D2.

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  38. So cute. I love orange; such a friendly color!

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  39. Anonymous3/18/2009

    Crazy cute!

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  40. Okay, too cute! Love the orange wall...

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  41. Thanks for the great idea. I have plenty of fabric that I went throught today that will be perfect.

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  42. what a great skirt! Quick yet stylish! -kb

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  43. Love the skirt. Love the photo. Love R2.

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  44. Anonymous3/19/2009

    Too cute!

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  45. Love the bright colours, nice and cheerful for spring

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  46. great way of using a "not so big" piece of fabric, and you made it so simple to do with !

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  47. oh, what a fabulous skirt - as so easy too!!! Love love love all the color here xx

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  48. Love it! Very cute print too!
    Kendall

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  49. Love it! Very cute print too!
    Kendall

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  50. Anonymous3/19/2009

    Great job Leslie!

    And I have to say again that you take WONDERFUL pictures!!!

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  51. too cute!
    It must be fun to have a girly girl to sew and knit for!
    thanks for sharing your technique.

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  52. Anonymous3/19/2009

    Don't you love to make those little treats for your loved ones? They love it and there's nothing like seeing them sport something you handmade. It looks great! The colors are so vibrant - they chase away the winter gray that seems to be looming lately. Very nice!

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  53. Anonymous3/19/2009

    Love the skirt, love the R2D2, love the wall, love orange. So jealous!

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  54. Oh I just love the cheeriness of that skirt, makes me smile.

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  55. That's a nice quick thing to make. Heck, it also looks like it would work well for adult sizes (I certainly can do it well within the normal fabric width at least).

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  56. Beautiful! I love the orange. Little skirts are the best because they are totally adorable and so quick. Our girlies can have a whole closet full with very little effort. Awesome!

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  57. Anonymous3/19/2009

    Wow! That is one orange wall! It looks so perfect!

    (Love the skirt too!)

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  58. Great skirt and so quick to make! Thanks for the wonderful etsy link.

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  59. Oh my goodness - you have an orange wall!!! Yum! And double yum with that absolutely gorgeous skirt.

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  60. Anonymous3/22/2009

    That is so cute!

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  61. I am thrilled because I am all behind here and got to read three of your posts in one go!

    All three great posts. First off, I love this skirt Leslie, I remember making skirts like these when I was about twelve and first using a sewing machine. I am definitely going to make one this week.

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