#FQS Blog Tour: Pienkel and Made by Sara
Woohoo, it’s Fri-Yay! And I’ve got two more skirts for Day 5 of the Fat Quarter Skirt Blog Tour!
First up, Nienke from Pienkel with her daughter’s fairytale-perfect skirt.
Nienke has nailed the fabrics on this one – what is more perfect than a little girl’s skirt than dots? And my girls would LOVE a piece of this fabric, it’s amazing! Click here to read her pattern review.
You can find Nienke on Pienkel, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
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Sara from Made by Sara is also here today with TWO fat quarter skirts!
I know this drill well, make something twirly for one girl, gotta make one for the other! Ha!
On a more serious note, Sara has a tiny baby at home and talks in her post about having/making time to sew and her experience sewing this pattern. Click here to visit her and find out how it went.
You can find Sara on Made by Sara, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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Don’t forget to enter the giveaway to win a Fat Quarter Skirt kit or pattern. (Remember, you can “click to enter” once each day of the tour!)
Plus, get the pattern for only $6 with discount code FQSTour all week, through Sunday, March 12, 2017. Don’t worry, if you win the prize, we’ll refund your payment!
Thursday (almost Friday!) and two more great skirts for Day 4 of the Fat Quarter Skirt Blog Tour!
First up, Roxanne from Crafty like a Rox with her daughter’s “recording” skirt.
Roxanne’s post is as hilarious as her skirt (and daughter) are cute! The cassette tape fabric caused a bit of confusion with her kids… you’ll have to read it. Click here to visit her and find out why!
You can find Roxanne on Crafty like a Rox and Instagram.
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Emily is also joining us today from The Sew and Tell Project with her daughter’s perfect playground skirt.
I love that Emily chose to add shorts to her daughter’s skirt! It’s hands-down my favorite hack for a Fat Quarter skirt. You can find out more in her “playground tested” pattern review.
You can find Emily on The Sew and Tell Project, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
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Don’t forget to enter the giveaway to win a Fat Quarter Skirt kit or pattern. (Remember, you can “click to enter” once each day of the tour!)
Plus, get the pattern for only $6 with discount code FQSTour all week, through Sunday, March 12, 2017. Don’t worry, if you win the prize, we’ll refund your payment!
#FQS Blog Tour: Will Cook for Shoes and GAAFmachine
Hooray, it’s Wednesday and today we have two wonderful bloggers bringing us Day 3 of the Fat Quarter Skirt Blog Tour!
First up, Trina from Will Cook for Shoes with her purr-fect skirt… (*hee hee* couldn’t help it!)
I met Trina through Janome, and her blog is a great mix of quilty and garment goodness, along with a healthy dose of baking and her three dogs. (Bassets, SO CUTE!) Plus, bonus, she’s also Canadian! Click here to visit her and find out more.
You can also find Trina on Will Cook for Shoes, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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Nelleke is also joining us today from GAAFmachine with a winning skirt, literally! Read on…
Nelleke won the Fat Quarters she used for this skirt in a giveaway, woohoo! And the florals are so cute for her daughter’s skirt. Visit her blog to find out more.
You can also find Nelleke on GAAFmachine, Instagram, and Facebook.
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Don’t forget to enter the giveaway to win a Fat Quarter Skirt kit or pattern. (Remember, you can “click to enter” once each day of the tour!)
Plus, get the pattern for only $6 with discount code FQSTour all week, through Sunday, March 12, 2017. Don’t worry, if you win the prize, we’ll refund your payment!
#FQS Blog Tour: Rebel and Malice
Terrific Tuesday brings us Day 2 of the Fat Quarter Skirt Blog Tour!
Melissa from Rebel & Malice joins us today with her sunny skirt.
This skirt makes me wish summer were here in my part of the world right NOW! I love Melissa’s combination of teal and yellow, and the striped contrast band is perfect. Click here to visit her and find out more.
You can also find Melissa on Rebel & Malice, Instagram, and Facebook.
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Don’t forget to enter the giveaway to win a Fat Quarter Skirt kit or pattern. (Remember, you can “click to enter” once each day of the tour!)
Plus, get the pattern for only $6 with discount code FQSTour all week, through Sunday, March 12, 2017.
#FQS Blog Tour: Sewing by Ti
Happy Monday to you, it’s Day 1 of the Fat Quarter Skirt Blog Tour!
Today we get a unicorn-friendly treat from Sewing by Ti.
She whipped up a quick skirt for her daughter and by the photos in her post – it was a bit hit! Plus, she explains how easy it was to fit the skirt for her “super skinny minny” daughter. Thanks for visiting her to check it out!
You can also follow Sewing by Ti on Facebook.
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Don’t forget to enter the giveaway to win a Fat Quarter Skirt kit or pattern.
Plus, get the pattern for only $6 with discount code FQSTour all week, through Sunday, March 12, 2017.
Fat Quarter Skirt Blog Tour!
Eeep, It’s my first-ever Blog Tour! Finally, I can tell you and (not kidding) I’ve had butterflies while I’ve been pulling it all together. I’ve got some fun stuff to go along with it, so if you like a giveaway and discount (or just looking at cute photos), be sure to keep reading. *yay!*
Today, I’m so happy to introduce the wonderful ladies that we’ll visit this week as they show us their versions of the Fat Quarter Skirt. (From the teaser pics I’ve gotten so far, you won’t want to miss it!)
Fat Quarter Skirt Blog Tour:
March 6: Sewing by Ti ~ March 7: Rebel and Malice ~ March 8: Will Cook for Shoes and GAAFmachine ~ March 9: Crafty Like a Rox and Sew and Tell Project ~ March 10: Pienkel and Made by Sara
I want to share the love, so we are giving away 4 prizes to make the whole week more fun!
Tour Week Grand Prize:
I dug into my personal Fat Quarter stash and put together a CUTE Fat Quarter Skirt kit. One lucky winner will get the kit (shipped worldwide!) and the PDF pattern, so they can make their own skirt! The main skirt fabric is some Monoluna I’ve been hoarding, the drawings spell out the alphabet (so good!) – you can see more of this fabric in the original pattern post.
PLUS 3 Runner-Up Prizes:
We’re giving away 3 more Fat Quarter Skirt PDF Patterns to 3 more readers as well!
These giveaways are open to everyone, from today until Sunday, March 12, 2017, at midnight EST. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter – and if you don’t have Facebook to sign in with, just use your name and email address. There’s a “click to enter”, non-social media login entry too!
BONUS! You can “click” to enter once each day of the tour for more chances to win!
Of course, it wouldn’t be fair to show you all of this fun inspiration without a chance to purchase the Fat Quarter Skirt pattern at a discount. Go ahead and pick up a copy all week in the shop for only $6! Expires March 12 at midnight EST. (Don’t worry, if you win the giveaway, we’ll refund your purchase price!)
<p style=”text-align: center;”><strong>Fat Quarter Skirt Tour Dates:</strong></p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”><em>March 6:</em> <a href=“http://sewingbyti.blogspot.ca/” target=”_blank”>Sewing by Ti</a> ~ <em>March 7:</em> <a href=“http://rebelandmalice.blogspot.ca/” target=”_blank”>Rebel and Malice</a> ~ <em>March 8:</em> <a href=“http://www.willcookforshoes.ca/” target=”_blank”>Will Cook for Shoes</a> and <a href=“http://gaafmachine.nl/” target=”_blank”>GAAFmachine</a> ~ <em>March 9:</em> <a href=“http://www.craftylikearox.com” target=”_blank”>Crafty Like a Rox</a> and <a href=“http://sewandtellproject.com/” target=”_blank”>Sew and Tell Project</a> ~ <em>March 10:</em> <a href=“http://pienkel.com/” target=”_blank”>Pienkel</a> and <a href=“https://made-by-sara.blogspot.ca/” target=”_blank”>Made by Sara</a></p>
How is your Friday going so far? The weekend is just around the corner. I’ve booked a fun sewing day with two friends today, lots of quilty finishes I hope!
I am thrilled to introduce a fellow Canadian today. Tori from British Farm Wife in Training! She pattern tested for me and then, while I was working out this series, posted a reversible skirt idea on Instagram and…
…Boom! I asked her if she’d like to guest post the pattern hack here and she accepted. So you are all on my strict orders that you visit her blog as collateral for her hard work. *kidding about the orders, of course!* But you should visit her blog, she has mad sewing and photography skills, so it’s gorgeous, and her little boy is a cutie pie too. I love him in this Roller Coast Tee she made!
Check out her clever reversible skirt hack below.
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Fat Quarter Skirt Pattern Inspiration Series (#FQSPinspiration)
I’ll be posting a tutorial or some tips every couple of weeks. ‘Specially made to work with the Fat Quarter Skirt pattern – but of course, to be used as inspiration with your own skirt patterns as well.
Week 1: Sew a Fleece Fat Quarter Skirt ~ Week 2: Sew a Reversible Fat Quarter Skirt (this post!)
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Big round of applause for Sherri and this AWESOME pattern!! And thank you for having me here to share my hack on it!
Firstly, a short blurb about myself – My name is Tori, also referred to as the BritishFarmWifeInTraining. I am a Canadian gal who married the love of her life – let’s call him….. theBritishFarmer. We live in the middle of nowhere Manitoba, Canada (smack dab in the middle of the country) where we are raising our son,#britishfarmboyintraining (or Little Mister A). You can follow my adventures and misadventures over here. (When I have time to breath and write about them!)
Now, after I made my first two Fat Quarter Skirts from the Thread Riding Hood pattern for my nieces I had a brilliant idea….
REVERSIBLE!
So you get not only ONE cute skirt but TWO!
How hard could that be?
Well firstly, you need to go get yourself a copy of the pattern over here.
Secondly, instead of getting two coordinating fat quarters, grab a third! (Disclaimer: to make this skirt I used 1 fat quarter and 2 normal 1/4 cuts)
NOTE: When picking a fabric for your contrasting bands, pick a non-directional fabric (or one that looks okay upside down)
Now, granted, I haven’t been sewing that long, and honestly, I don’t think I have ever sewed anything to be reversible yet… So there MAY be a better way to do this!
This is just what I came up with (the gist of it at any rate – you should still need the original pattern for the full instructions!). Always remember to press your seams and finish your edges as per the original pattern. And as always, read the whole hack before starting!
Cut four main pieces – 2 from color A and 2 from color B (if you do not want the original length of the skirt to change then cut the fabric 1inch shorter in height). And cut your contrasting bands.
Eight pieces total! (Okay… I actually cheated a little bit because some of the fabric I used was a 1/4 cut, but not an actual fat quarter so my contrasting pieces on my color A are already one continuous strip… only 5 pieces for me…)
Stitch matching fabrics together only along one side (instead of both like suggested in the pattern).
Down to four pieces total! (Now we have the same number of pieces!)
Stitch main fabric color A strip to bottom contrasting band (right sides together) followed by stitching main fabric color B strip to the other side of the band (right sides together).
Down to two pieces total!
Fold the fabric right sides together to color A matches color A, etc. Stitch the edges together to form a tube. Repeat with the elastic casing as well.
Fold the tube in on itself (wrong sides together). Be careful to match up the seams. Top stitch around the contrasting band.
OPTION 1 for elastic casing: Iron the elastic casing in half width wise and iron the main fabrics approximately 1/4inch under all the way around (towards the inside of the skirt). Top stitch the elastic casing into place leaving a 2inch opening to feed the elastic through. Insert elastic and close the opening.
OPTION 2 for elastic casing: Alternately, you can follow the original direction for attaching the elastic casing. This way it will be visible on one side of the skirt but not the other. If you are doing this then you should keep the height of the main fabrics the same as the original pattern.
TA. DA!
A cute little skirt made even cuter (since now it is a two-in-one)!
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Wow, thank you so much Tori! The cutest fabric and what a brilliant way to put it all together. I’m going to have to cut one out and finish it up asap, my youngest would love the idea of a reversible skirt!
Plus, if you’ve read this far – congratulations! You are the first to know my fun news, you can win the Fat Quarter Skirt next week during my first-ever Blog Tour! Lots of great fun blogs to visit and prizes to win – check it out starting Sunday, March 5th!
I am so thrilled today to let you know that I’m starting my first “real” workshop series in March! I have loved the other two one-time workshops I taught, it’s lovely to chat and talk with other sewers as we create things together. It seems that everyone has had a good time too!
Canadian online fabric shops Country Clothesline and Fabric Spark teamed up last year to open a brick-and-mortar shop in downtown Toronto. It’s a bright and airy space filled with (of course) gorgeous fabrics and fun notions.
I wrote last year about finding my passion where I didn’t expect it, and I’ve found that teaching is one of the things I hope to do more of. The fact that these lovely ladies asked me to teach is so good and I could not be happier!
You can join us for their Learn to Sew Series, specifically “Sewing for your Kids” class for 4 Thursday nights from March 23 to April 13, 2017. Find out more and sign up online here or here, or visit their shop for more details.
Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten my farther-away friends! I will be releasing PDF patterns for each of the 4 projects here on the blog over the next few months. They are all beginner-friendly patterns, specifically designed to increase your sewing knowledge while being perfect gifts for your kids or grandkids (and yourself!)
If you want a laugh, check out this video we took of my youngest during our photo shoot. It was a little chilly!
Here are the 4 projects you’ll be making and what you’ll learn:
Pencil Case (or Sewing Pouch!)
Insert your first zipper into this fully lined and finished pouch. Plus, learn how to sew a French seam.
Fabric: Keely by Alexander Henry, Aunt Ruthie’s Dots on Blue
Child’s Apron (multi-size pattern!)
Finish this simple apron with a neck and hem facing, easy straps and a customizable pocket with tidy edge-stitching.
Fabric: Raindrop Cicada Song, Braidy in Teal
Child’s Throw Blanket
This whole-cloth blanket is flannel backed and omits any batting for the perfect spring/summer weight. Learn to create self-bound mitered corners and how to hand tie a quilt for an easy (and quick) finish.
Fabric: Sew Cherry 2 Red Daisy, Mammoth Flannel in Red
Tote Bag (for You!)
Create a tote bag with boxed corners and curved edges. Find out how to use fusible stabilizers and interfacing to make a stable bag, plus insert a lining to finish it off.
Fabric: Talking Heads, Theory of Aviation Denim Newsprint
I would love to see you there! Let me know if there is anything else you’d love to learn at a workshop.
2017 Samplers {Update No.1}
I didn’t know I liked making quilts, but, it seems like I’ve been hit by the bug!
Before this year, I had made a lot of quilt piles. Little sets of fabric that must-never-be-separated because I wanted them to be made into something. I collected these for years until a few months ago I had had enough. Enough piles, enough scraps… I could never see myself finishing all of my piles and that was discouraging.
Around Christmas, I decided to make a scrap quilt and posted a few photos on Instagram as I worked – followed a few weeks ago by the sewn quilt top. I love it, despite a few things (I’ll not mention) that are driving me crazy! Now all I need to do is sew the quilt back and (I think) do some very simple in the ditch or straight line quilting. It’s a queen size, and despite my machine having a large throat space, I’m still nervous to try any free motion quilting on something this large.
That quilt got me started… the bug took on a life of its own and, in January, I decided to join 3 quilt samplers. It helped that my sponsor Sew Sisters asked me to design a block for their Canadian Sampler – Block of the Month. As part of the deal, I get to take part in the sampler and receive all of the block patterns. I had no idea it would be so addicting! (By the way, this round of registrations for the Canadian Sampler closes in just a few days at the end of February!)
I finally figured out why… Turns out I love the “mystery” behind following lots of little instructions to get the final block, but not making tons of the same block over and over again – the only kind of quilting I knew before now.
(Oh, and I also love 12″ blocks, because they are BIG and you don’t need a lot of them to make something!)
Here are the details for each sampler:
- Sew Sisters Quilt Shop (Canadian!) - The Canadian Sampler - 2 blocks sent monthly (paid subscription, paper pattern)
- I’ll be making all 20 blocks, and am excited to show you my block when it’s released.
- Sew Fresh Quilts (Canadian!) – Have a Jolly Little Christmas- bi-weekly block on Saturdays
- I am making most of these, but not all of them, in a blue and gray palette. Hopefully something different and fun for a Christmas Quilt!
- Maureen Cracknell and Sharon Holland - Sewcial Bee Sampler - weekly block on Wednesdays
- I will make all of these, but I’m not adding the framing pieces until I find the perfect fabric for it. Something pink and yellow I think!
I’m hoping to post monthly photos and explanations where necessary all year. So you can keep me accountable, and feel free to bug me if I forget *please do!* You can follow me along in “real-time” on Instagram too if you’d like.
Maybe some of you want to join me? I’ve linked all of the Samplers and blocks so you can find the tutorials. If you’re sewing along let me know, I’d love to see what your versions look like.
2017 Samplers – Update No. 1
Fabric Pull
January: Pacific Stars by Daphne Greig, Patchworks Studio
January: Keep’n Warm by Sandy Whitelaw, Upstairs Hobby Room
Fabric Pull
Block 1: Christmas Stockings
Block 2: Winter Mittens
Block 3: Christmas Bow
Fabric Pull (Mostly a Fat Quarter bundle I made for my sponsor, Fabric Spark.)
Block 1: Patience Corners
Block 2: A Dandy
How to sew a Fleece Fat Quarter Skirt {#FQSinspiration}
Sometimes you don’t get what you expect! I put a cat-ear headband on my youngest for this photoshoot. Turns out that means she has to act like a cat in all of the photos! Of course… *facepalm* Anyhow – it was super cute, and she had fun, so all in all, win for both of us!
While writing the Fat Quarter Skirt pattern, I thought up a ton of ideas for embellishments and ideas for how to make it. Enter my lovely pattern testers and they suggested even more options! So, with no further ado, today I’m introducing the… *drum roll please!*
Fat Quarter Skirt Pattern Inspiration Series (#FQSPinspiration)
I’ll be posting a tutorial or some tips every couple of weeks. ‘Specially made to work with the Fat Quarter Skirt pattern – but of course, to be used as inspiration with your own skirt patterns as well.
Today’s Inspiration: Winter! (How to Sew a Fleece Fat Quarter Skirt)
The Fat Quarter Skirt isn’t just for warm weather. Sew up a fleece version that is even-faster-than-the-original – you don’t need to finish your seams, plus, check out the tips below to skip pressing too!
Fleece is so cozy, plus it adds warmth to the perfect winter outfit. Pair it with leggings and boots, or tights and heels. Your little one will love how fluffy it is – plus it twirls!
I’ll be referencing the Fat Quarter Skirt pattern, so grab your copy in my shop buy it below, or read on for some good tips for sewing pretty much any fleece item.
As you sew, these four tips will help you sew the perfect Fleece Skirt!
Sew most of your fat quarter skirt as is noting the tips below. You can even skip any pattern notes that involve finishing the seam allowances. Fleece does not fray, so you won’t need to zig-zag or serge the edges. In fact, serging them can make them more scratchy!
Contrast Band – Step 3
Fleece seam allowances are thick! Pin the contrast band seam allowances so they do not overlap to help thin them out. When matching the contrast band seams with the main skirt side seams, open the skirt side seam and then pin them well before sewing.
Elastic Casing – Step 4
Open each seam when matching them up to help distribute the thick fleece. Pin well so they match up once they’re sewn!
Avoid pressing! – Skip turning the edge of the casing under in step 4(c). Instead, turn the whole casing over as shown in step 4(d). When it is time to stitch the casing in step 4(f), stitch 1 1/4″ away from the top edge, leaving 1/2″ of raw-edged fleece underneath.
Sew the rest of your Fat Quarter Skirt as shown in the pattern and enjoy it!
You can also check out the pattern tester’s Fat Quarter Skirts for more inspiration.
If you have any other fleece sewing tips, please let us know in the comments below!
