I know that it is neither HST,s or Rail Fence. Yet again I have pulled finished blocks from my stash. These are 6" blocks that I made 2 years ago while in Wales and when I dug them out I decided that they were a good contrast to the last 2.
I pulled some scrappy patchwork at the same time and that will become cushion number 4. Then Francesca would like a cushion and I found some 12" blocks that I will turn into 3 small cushions, possibly for myself.
Now for my cry for help.
A couple of weeks or so ago Fran sent me details of an on line site that made skirts from unusual/original fabrics. I had a look and queried the design, they looked very bunched up at the waist. Fran went ahead and ordered one in the Alice in Wonderland print, when it arrived she rang me and said that it did not hang like the ones on the website. I just said bring it with you and I will have a look.
As you can see the printed panel is not level at the seam.
While the quality of the panel is quite good the rest is very poor quality, I would never buy such thin flimsy stuff.
As for the skirt itself, all it is is a 2 metre length with 1 seam, turned over at the top and sewn leaving a slot with ribbon threaded through it. My question is does anyone know of a pattern that I could use for a skirt, keeping all the 2 mtr panel (I have decent fabric for the top) without having all the gathers at the waist. Francesca is petite and only needs a 22" length, the panel is 8" finished length so there is a deal of fabric to lose in a 14" drop.
I have seen skirts in a border print but they are all very full, my A line skirt pattern looks good on Fran but the panel would be out of shape if I used it
Lots of you make wonderful clothes and I would love any help or advice that you can send me.
Now that I have read that through, it seems an impossible task. I do not think that keeping the full panel is a viable option, but I will wait to see what comes back to me.
Reasons to be grateful.
1. Another overnight rain, no need to water the garden today.
2. Glorious sunshine all day.
3. 2 loads of laundry done and dried on the line.
4. Meatloaf for dinner. NO NO not the singer.
5. Fresh Pineapple for pudding. (45p each RTC)
I do like pineapple but it is usually so pricey but I snapped up 2 at that price, I also got 5 peaches and 5 nectarine for 90p the lot.
Dinner is smelling good and it is time to put the cauli cheese in the oven, the jacket potatoes may need shunting up a shelf as well.
Ben has a new toy, a simple hard ball on a piece of rope. It is bright pink but he does not care, he has great fun chasing it and when he has had enough he carries it around instead of bringing it back to be thrown.
I hope you are all enjoying your weekend as much as I am mine.
TTFN Pam.
I'm afraid I can't help you with your query but I too wouldn't be impressed with that!
ReplyDeleteWe've not had rain here since the storms on Friday night so I will be out with my watering can later!
We have had strong sun today so I will be doing some selective watering later.
DeleteSorry, can't help with a pattern. Have you got another skirt you can use as a pattern? I would be sending it back ad asking for a refund.
ReplyDeleteYour sewing is straight from your creative mind, I have found a pattern, I would have sent it back but Francesca did not want to.
DeleteI would take the waistband off and then treat the blue/white fabric as you would a trial muslin. Try putting darts in it front and back. Maybe some of the fullness can be cut out. A zipper would also be an option. As Fran is there at the moment you can make all the adjustments as she has it on. When you are satisfied that it is a good fit unpick the blue/white from the 2m panel and use your newly created pattern on your good fabric. Failing all that, is there any repeat in the panel? If so can you cut down on the width of the panel which would help cut down on the fullness in the blue/white part. Clear as mud???? I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions and end up with a skirt that Fran will be happy with.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that, I did it and we decided that pleats were fine, then while looking for something I found a pattern for an A Line skirt with a border print which will work perfectly. Panic over, but Fran has asked for a pleated skirt for the winter so my work was not in vain.
DeleteI think I would return it too. I can't stand shoddy workmanship and always let companies know when they are selling poor quality or faulty goods.
ReplyDeleteI would never have ordered it but Fran did not want to return it. I did send an E mail saying how disappointing it was and that I was taking it to pieces and remaking. She may get some money back but I doubt it.
DeleteI did a pattern years ago where I made a shallow tier at the waist, and then added a ruffled panel at the bottom. I think ( and it's been awhile) I measured from the waist to the fullest part of the hip and added 2 inches for waist casing. Going around it was just 3" or 4" longer then the hip measurement so less bulk at the waist. Then I gathered the panel to fit and sewed it on. If Fran has a 36" hip you would have less than a 2/1 ratio in your gathering. I'll look through my patterns tomorrow and see if I can find anything more helpful!
ReplyDeleteThank you Patty, I will not use the idea for Fran but it is an idea for some border print I have for myself.
DeleteI cant help with your query but those cushions are amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen, I have just finished the last 18" one for James and Cerys. I have some 12" to make and a couple of bigger ones for Fran, then I think that I will be cushioned out for a while.
DeleteYou could removed the printed panel and use the gigham part for a more fitted skirt and add the panel as a flounce/ruffle gathered at the bottom using the whole printed panel.
ReplyDeleteBut again like others said shoddy workmanship is not excusable when good money has been paid, I would be returning it.
I have consigned the gingham to the bin, it was not even cotton and melted onto my iron when pressing pleats. I would never have bought it but hey ho, Fran has learned a valuable lesson.
DeleteCute print on the apron. How about using pleats instead of gathers? That way the panel will hang fine but the appearance won't be so full.
ReplyDeleteI love the print, there are some lovely ones on the web site, if she would sell the fabric panels I would be having a few.
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