Summer Sewing Challenge - Sweatshirt Skirt

Good morning everyone!

Today's installment of my Summer Sewing Challenge is one of my favorites. Now, though this skirt was handmade by me, I did not make it this summer. This skirt was one of my very first DIY re-fashions. I believe I made it in either 2002 or 2003. Maybe 2001, who knows; it was a loooooong time ago! But it still remains one of my favorites! 

When I was younger I used to go to the thrift store around once or twice a week. On one of those thrifting adventures I found an XL Girl Scout sweatshirt. I was a life-long girl scout so I knew I had to take that sweatshirt home with me and make it into something awesome.

Since this re-fashion was so long ago, many of the exact steps elude me. Basically, I cut off the sleeves, the elastic bottom hem, and the elastic neck area. I took in the sides a bit, sewed a simple waist casing, and threaded through a neon green XXXL shoelace to use as a drawstring. Since sweatshirt material does not fray, I chose not to hem this gem.

Since the skirt *is* made from a sweatshirt, it may be a little warm for many of the hotter days of summer. However, on not-so-hot summer days, and especially those windy days in the spring time, this skirt is so cute!

I hope you have been inspired to create a sweatshirt skirt of your own for this summer!  

The Facts 

Fabric: Thrifted Girl Scout sweatshirt
Pattern: Self-Drafted (Hack away at the sweatshirt until it looks like a skirt!)

Year: 2012

Notions: Thread, neon green shoelace
Time to complete: ?? I'm sure not very long

First worn: 2002-ish
Wear again? Yes! I love this skirt

Total Cost: Probably about $1.00

Summer Sewing Challenge - Maxi Skirt

Hello, readers! Here is the newest addition to my me-made summer wardrobe. 

A fun & slinky 100% rayon jersey ikat print maxi skirt! I whipped this up in less than three hours. I made a simple casing around the waist and used 1/2 inch elastic. I didn't even hem it because the jersey material won't ravel. Hooray for jersey!  

The Facts 

Fabric: 3/4 yard rayon jersey from Joann's. The skirt ended up being a bit short though (due to only using 3/4 yard of fabric!) so the next time I'm at Joann's I'm going to buy another 1/4 yard to make a ruffle on the bottom hem.

Pattern: Self-Drafted (2 rectangles sewn together. So easy.)
Year: 2012

Notions: Thread, elastic

Time to complete: Less than 3 hours!

First worn: Last week

Wear again? Yes! (After I lengthen it.)
Total Cost: About $8-ish

Summer Sewing Challenge - Maxi Skirt

Happy Monday to everybody!

This is the first maxi skirt I have ever made, or worn. When maxi skirts came into popularity last season I was not quick to jump on the band wagon. Sometime between last summer and this summer I've decided that I really like the casual, boho vibe that maxi shirts offer. I'd like to make a couple more for this summer because this one was super easy to whip up! The most time consuming part was finishing all the edges of each patchwork piece.

The Facts 

Fabric: Three different vintage '80s/'90s fabrics from my stash. The waistband was made from navy cotton canvas I had in my stash.
Pattern: Self-Drafted (with inspiration from this tutorial)
Year: 2012

Notions: Thread, zipper

Time to complete: About 5 or 6 hours. Finishing all the edges of the patchwork pieces was a pain.

First worn: Sometime in May. I worked on it for two days, and wore it out the day I finished it.

Wear again? Yes!

Total Cost: Less than 2 bucks! 

Summer Sewing Challenge

I love to sew. I have been sewing since I was about six, first it was doll clothes, then people clothes that I would enter in my local County Fair. Now my sewing is mostly focused on my ETSY shop, where I sew up bags, purses, and pillows. 

Last year I discovered Mena Trott's inspirational blog, The Sew Weekly. The blog has many contributors who sew different garments week to week, always trying to keep within the "theme" Mena dictates. As the name of the blog suggests, I am a weekly regular reader of the blog, always looking forward to checking out the new & innovative garments the weekly contributors (and Mena, herself!) create. 

Years ago joined the hand-made movement, but only recently have I decided to take hand-made to the next level and apply that idea to my wardrobe. 

With my inspiration from The Sew Weekly, I've decided to embark on my own Summer Sewing Challenge. 

My Summer Sewing Challenge Rules::

~ I will not buy any more clothes from any store (Except for my work uniform clothes, if that need arises)

~ I will sew myself at least two new items of clothing every month

~ I will have fun! 

As you can see, my challenge is not over ambitious, in the hopes that I will be able to accomplish the challenge! So far, I have one formal dress, one maxi skirt, and one yellow shirt to add to my summer collection. I have plans for a green tank top and a multi-colored jersey dress. Ideally, I would like to add two sundresses to this year's wardrobe. Every Wednesday this summer I will detail my progress here on my blog, to keep me organized and to keep me accountable! 

I hope you will check out Mena's blog; it is full of talented people sharing their clothing creations!

Here is the rundown on my yellow shirt:

The Facts 

Fabric: Yellow cotton/rayon blend jersey from JoAnn's; quilting weight cotton fabric from Amy Butler's Soul Blossoms line
Pattern: Self-Drafted
Year: 2012

Notions: Thread, Left-over Navy binding

Time to complete: 4-5 hours. I think I took a break at one point

First worn: June 19, 2012, To dinner/drinks/trivia

Wear again? Yes!

Total Cost: About $5. I bought and used 1/2 a yard of the yellow jersey fabric. I was proud of myself, usually I over-buy, but this time I had about 1.5 square inches of fabric left over-an accomplishment! The Amy Butler fabric was from my stash, as was the thread, and the binding.