More handmade

My plan for today was to title this post Handmade {by Isaias} and show you a photo of a gigantic mess of toys on the floor, but you know what? We've all been doing such an amazing job cleaning up after ourselves that I haven't been able to take that picture! :)

I did finish this, though:


This is from an Amy Butler pattern, and is a simple A-line skirt. Simple, but lined. With an invisible zipper. This would be the second zipper I've done, but this was my first attempt at an invisible zipper. And with a new zipper foot, the pattern instructions, the instructions that came with the zipper, a sewing book and two different "how-to-put-in-an-invisible-zipper" tutorials, I STILL ripped that zipper out four frustrating times, and by the third time I was literally praying over it.

But evidently I did it wrong.


Because I think we can all see that zipper.

So it's clearly not invisible. Which I would be fine with (because it does actually zip), if it weren't for that pucker there on the bottom of the zipper. Can you see that? Here. (You can click on the picture below to zoom in a bit. I think.)


I'm not sure what, exactly, it's supposed to look like right there, but I assure you it's not supposed to look like that.

No matter.

I love the fabric (also Amy Butler), it fits, and I plan on wearing it proudly. I was even able to lengthen the skirt a couple of inches to the length I wanted.

Oh. And I also made these headbands a few days back for a birthday party for our niece:


That top one, there, I made from this Heather Bailey pattern.


The one with the ribbons I adapted from a pattern in Amy Karol's Bend the Rules Sewing book. I just love grosgrain ribbon.

I am really enjoying this whole sewing thing. However, we do not have a category in our budget for all these trips I've been making to the fabric store so I'm not yet sure what to do about that.

13 comments:

  1. It looks great! I love Amy Butler fabrics too. I made our duvet cover out of one of her prints and painted our room to match! Those trips to the fabric store really can add up though. I've enjoyed seeing all of your handmade things.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Adorable!

    What zipper? I don't see any zipper.

    And you're skinny. That is a skinny skirt.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Um, no. No I am NOT skinny. That skirt there on the hanger? It is tucked behind on each side.

    Tricky, huh?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm SO impressed! And invisible or not, you're 2 zippers ahead of me. I wouldn't even know where to start with putting a zipper in! I will definitely have to try the new handband pattern. It looks fairly simple...and simple is just what I need! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm smiling... I can so relate. Zippers? Not my friend. I've never even tried an invisible one; I have enough trouble with the visible kind. I made myself a nice long gray wool skirt like 2 months ago and haven't been able to wear it 'cause the zipper was so puckery. So this week I spent an almost-teary morning tearing it out and putting it back in a few times, before I decided it would just have to be OK, even though there's still a pucker.

    But your skirt is beautiful! Love the pattern and the fabric! Great job.

    And I can relate to what you said about no budget category for trips to the fabric store... currently dealing with that very same issue here! Literally saving up loose change...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hmmm... what to do about the cost of trips to the fabric store. I don't know. I'm sure you can dig the $ out of some budget category. As I've said, I love seeing the things you make and I think this is just a great hobby, because you enjoy doing it and then I get to enjoy seeing my wife and kids running around wearing cute things that you have made with your own hands.

    You're the best.

    - Mark

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think Mark just said go shopping for some more fabric! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Stacy! This skirt is beautiful! I LOVE it. Good job. I can't believe how good you are sewing!

    ReplyDelete
  9. *clapping*
    yay Stacy!!
    Please tell me when you started sewing? Is there hope for me a non-sewer? :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. May I just say that I am very incredibly proud of you for even ATTEMPTING an invisible zipper? I am all thumbs when it comes to sewing, so I am just sitting back and admiring. And I do believe that your hubby is all for you tweaking the budget ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Stacy;

    Your skirt is beautiful and I hope you show us a picture of you wearing it. So cute, but definitely cuter on YOU I bet!
    The headband ribbons are so sweet...you are really quite the seamstress!

    good work my friend!

    Kimmie
    mama to 6
    one homemade and 5 adopted

    ReplyDelete
  12. Stacy, I really loved seeing all these "Handmade" posts... oh, it makes me want to get my sewing machine out! It's been too long. I learned a great no-fail method for putting in zippers in my high school sewing class, but last year when I tried to sew a zippered dress for my daughter I had forgotten how and it caused me fits!! I didn't find the pattern directions too helpful. *sigh*

    I love your skirt... the fabric is so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  13. You are doing SO well! Wow!

    I love Amy Butler fabric. In fact I picked up the very same one you made your skirt out of at the store a few weeks ago. It is so pretty.

    Do you have the Bend the Rules Sewing book and the Amy Butler In Stitches book? They are not at my library...I'm wondering if I should get one of them with a amazon.com gift card I just got :)

    You are doing very well. Way ahead of me!
    Stacy

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for commenting! I love hearing from you, and I will do
my best to reply back to you in the comment section.