The Cargo Skirt

Well, here it is--I finished the Cargo Skirt I was supposed to have done last week, before I got distracted.  I'd say it turned out pretty cute!  I love how well the green skirt goes with the purple shirt I just happened to be wearing (and managed to keep spit-up-free!) today. 

Here's the pocket.  This baby's going to come in very handy.  Cart around phone (phones, actually, since I usually have my iPhone-sans-cell-service in addition to my phone-to-make-calls-on) without adding tummy bulges.  Score.

I made the skirt a very slim A-line, because I think having things in the cargo pocket will pull the skirt down on that side.  So, if the skirt is already pretty slim-fitting, it will not be pulled out of place.

I also included regular jean-style pockets, because I thought they made sense to go with the cargo pocket.  They're good for resting your hands in.  Or they would be, if I had gauged the needed size better.  My fingers fit, but not my thumb, too.  Oops.

I like the decorative stitching.  It does blend in with the print a little, but I think it still adds a little to the design.  

If I make this skirt again (which I probably will!) I will make the skirt from a bottom-weight fabric like this dress instead of using quilter's cotton.  I just think the skirt would be a little nicer in a heavier fabric.  But this green print was leftover from a quilt I made, the zipper came in a pack bought for another project, and the hook-and-eye (you can't see it in these pictures) is leftover from a third project.  So this skirt was entirely free!

Totally cute and useful skirt for free?  Yes, please.

I used to wear skirts only for church or other dress-up occasions, but now I'm getting into wearing them any old time.  When do you like to wear skirts?  

Design My Own Skirt Results, and New Designs to Vote On!

I'm so glad you guys voted on my skirt designs!  I was afraid no one would.  So, thanks!!  

 And the winning design, with 8 votes, is...

Coming in close second with 7 votes was... 

I'm going to have to get out to the fabric store this week!  I may even make both skirts...I plan to have the one skirt done in two weeks when I announce the next winning design.

Now for the next set of designs!  I've never made a swimsuit before, so this will be an interesting experience.  It looked pretty easy from the tutorials I read, and I'm going to try!

I found this pretty chevron fabric on Girl Charlee that I think I'm going to go with.  

Which design do you like best?

#1--I think asymmetry is interesting (you may have guessed by the clothing I made for Project Sewn, with my green "signature look" dress, asymmetrical draped shirt, and the high-low skirt).  So I wanted to try a one-shoulder swimsuit.

#2--I really like this design.  I feel like swimsuits tend to make my already smallish bust seem even smaller.  I think the gathering at the front and the band under the bust will help with that.

#3--Here's another one-shoulder look.  I'm not quite sure which one I prefer.  I like the contrast and interest of having the black on the bottom of version 2, but I think it does make the suit look more sporty, and I'm not exactly planning on doing laps down the pool while I'm holding a baby and keeping a close eye on a preschooler...

#4--I really like this design also.  It has gathering in front and the band under the bust like #2, so I think it will be flattering for the same reasons.  I also like how this halter is high  in the front, since halters tend to be low-cut, so it's different.

 All right, those are my ideas!  Voting is open now, and will be for two weeks.  I'm excited to know what you guys think of these designs!  Feel free to write comments as well as vote.  (Hint, hint!  :D)

Design My Own: Wear to the Playground Skirts

You know what I realized?  It's much harder to design clothing for yourself than for someone else.  I whipped out lots of ideas for my sister to choose from during Project Sewn (click to see my skirt, sundress, shirt, and other dress if you missed them before), but when it came time to design MY OWN clothes for my new project...so much harder.  I think it's because, sewing clothes for someone else, I was only in it for the experience--my sister paid for the fabric and got the clothes at the end.  But this time I'm more invested.  

{On a related note, I decided that I will not necessarily make the winning design each month; I was too stressed trying to come up with four ABSOLUTELY PERFECT ideas so that I would be completely thrilled with whatever design won the vote.  I did come up with four that I love, so I will probably make the winner, but not promising I will every time.}

After scrapping two completely different themes and lots of sketches, I decided that for my June project, I would: 

Design a Playground Skirt

That is, I wanted a skirt casual enough to wear sitting on the grass, having a picnic at the playground.  Here are my top four designs for you to vote on.  (The poll is on the left sidebar.)

#1--This one is the simplest, and whether or not anyone votes on it, I'll probably make it anyway to test my pattern before trying anything more elaborate.  Simple, a-line, neutral colors to match any shirt--I think I'll be happy with this one.

#2--I like this idea because of the pocket.  I don't like having things in my jeans pockets because they make these funny bulges right where no one wants funny bulges, you know?  But I have to put my phone somewhere.  (Without having to dig through the diaper bag and get to the phone in time to see I missed the call.)  With this skirt, though, I can keep my phone in the cargo pocket.  No funny tummy bulges, no missed calls.  

#3--This skirt could double for date night, while still not being overkill for the playground.  I don't like for skirts to gather from the waist (tummy bulges, again), so I designed this skirt with a fitted yolk, and the gathers start from the hip or so.  I think Boo would like this one best--she likes ruffles and other "fancies."

#4--(Another skirt that can do double-duty for date night!)  I love polka dots.  I couldn't decide if this one should have all big dots, or little dots on the yolk and big dots on the skirt...What do you think?

So those are my four favorite ideas for this month's project.  Please vote for your favorite!  Voting will close two weeks from today, in the morning of June 19.  You may vote for more than one skirt, if you wish.

{By the way, I *may* make patterns for the winning skirt.  I haven't tried pattern grading yet, but I'd like to.  So if you'd like to make one of these yourself, be sure to vote!  And also let me know in the comments.)