Flirty Skirt, Dirty Dirt

My friend, Jill, has two cute little girls and she always has them dolled up to the nines.  (And she's the best hair-bow-maker around -- a new bow for every outfit.)  Jill watched Charlotte a couple of times a week last year.  During that time her girls became like sisters to Charlotte -- and Jill really did a great job of keeping them all busy and entertained with swimming, carousel-ing, park-time, etc.  So, as a heart-felt thank you to Jill, I designed her girls some matching, skirty outfits.

The tee shirts -- Talk about a high impact-to-effort ratio, decorating tee-shirts can be easy-peasy.  I fused floral elements from my Rose Bouquet print from Pop Garden to each store-bought tee shirt using fusible web.  I then stitched around the edges of each fused piece (with a ball-point needle installed in my machine to prevent holes from forming in the knit material.)  There are at least three or four flowers in this print that make perfect appliques. 

The two skirts -- I had a lot of fun putting the fabric combinations together.  I wanted them to match each other, but not really match.  I didn't draft a pattern as they're just sewn from various rectangles.  I probably should have jotted down some measurements as I went.  However, my friend Jona does have pattern for a similar skirt all ready to go - The Edith Twirl.  (Check out the embroidery on those Edith under-skirts.)

The floral print in the skirt above is probably my favorite print from Pop Garden.  It's soft and romantic, yet electric and sassy.  And the ziggity Zag Stripe to the right is entirely too fun to sew with.  I still need to bind a quilt in this print and see what it does. Fussy-cut quilt blocks made with this fabric could result in some interesting effects too.  More sewing, more sewing.

I'm not sure if I scratched that dern sewing itch well enough with this one project, but I expect to do more sewing once my next fabric collection is off to the mill here soon. And OH, it's pretty.  And sweet.  Sweet and pretty.  That's all I'm going to say.  Like that housekeeper-lady says in The Parent Trap, "I'm not saying a word."

What else, what else?  OH!  I should have mentioned this first -- yikes.  Tara's baby girl, Grace, was born this week!!  And she's stinkin' beautiful.  Which is really unfair to the other bruised, swollen newborns in the nursery.  I mean, come on -- tilting, exotic eyes, high cheekbones, a perfectly-shaped head covered with beautiful, dark hair.  At three weeks early, we were only caught slightly off-guard.  Isaac's been phone-interviewing for a new Office Assitant this week and then final interviews are next week.  Tara will be back in a few months in a new position.  We'll miss her while she's away smooching on that sweet, new baby.

We're really overlapping about five or six projects at the moment.  And as I'm not so great at falling asleep when I'm excited about a project - or six projects, imagine my self-satisfaction at rolling out of bed on time this morning for my 8 o'clock tap class -- jazz hands!  : )

And then there's the yard.  Wednesday was Fill-the-Raised-Garden-with-Dirt Day.  Thursday was Move-the-Big-Rocks-Around Day.  (Isaac might as well have been at Disneyland.  He wouldn't climb down from that bulldozer for anything.)  Yesterday was Rake-the-Dirt-All-Smooth Day.  And today has been Form-the-Perfectly-Curved-Curbing Day.  Isaac's ready to move onto Install-the-Five-Valve-Sprinkler-System Day, but I'm entirely ready for a break, so we've pacted to give ourselves a week of Avoid-the-Yardwork-Alltogether Days so we can celebrate Get-Back-to-What-We-Should-Have-Been-Doing Day - which may evolve into a week-long celebration in the end.

And I'm looking to do March of the Tools again this year.  One more day till March.  There are a number of gizmos, gadgets, thing-a-majigs and who-z-whatzits I'm excited to share.  I'll have the badge back up in my sidebar later today.  I'd love for you to join me - yes, please join me.  Infact, email me to let me know you're doing March of the Tools too and I'll post a link to your blog on the March of the Tools page so we can all see who is playing along and get some leads on new, must-have tools.

Comments

[Mark Oz]

H, I hope you remembered to breathe - I am exhausted reading about your life. I think I need a nap. Please tell me you took some great photos of Isaac on the bulldozer - you need to post them!

Mark.

[heather hales]

good word woman! You have been busy!

Your creations are beautiful...I think I may have to do something like that for my daughter...in capri form!

[Ginger]

I have been wondering what my zig zag fabric will become, and I think those skirts are perfect! I love how you put the zig zag peeking out from underneath. That is brilliant. Once again, I am getting wonderful inspiration from your beautiful work!

[Stephanie]

Gorgeous skirts!!! I need a little girl of my own, so I can make pretty frilly things.

[Lisa @celebrate CREATIVITY]

Beautiful outfits. The applique is a great idea. Lovely photos as usual too.

[Christine Brandel]

Hi Heather, I love your blog, and those skirts are just fantastic! I must make one for my little girl!

Are they two layers of fabric, one longer than the other, or is the bottom a contrast ruffle detail?

[Mary on Lake Pulaski]

Can't wait til I have granddaughters to dress in your lovely prints and designs. They make me want to sing!

[AnnCP]

My good friend Jill is lucky to have you as a friend! Your skirts and shirts are adorable and Jill's little ones will be stylin'! Has she french braided Charlotte's hair yet?

[Heather Bailey]

Thanks everyone!

And, good question, Christine. The top skirt has a contrast binding at the bottom and floats over an underskirt. The underskirt is made of muslin and has a contrast ruffle sewn at the bottom, which peeks out from below the overskirt. Both skirt layers are gathered as one and sewn to the yoke at the top of the skirt. The yoke is lined with muslin too, to give the skirt body, and to enclose the seam allowances. The yoke lining also keeps this stiff seam from bugging kid tummies.

[Andrea Larsen]

ooh yay! March of the tools....I'm so excited!

[Suzanne]

Those lucky girls. Truly. I'm wondering -- can those be made in a woman's size 9? Just curious. ;o)

[Saige]

I love that you referenced Parent Trap! "I don't say a word, not one word. But if he wants to make a ninny of himself with all those women, its none of my nevermind. I don't say a word."
Beautiful projects as always!

[Jen]

OH HOW I LOVE THE TWIRL SKIRTS!! I am going to get the pattern from Jona(I already buy fabrics from her---yours in particular) I don't have any little girls but I have friends with girls & I love to make clothes for them! :)

I love your blog and your fabrics--Im seriously obsessed with Pop Garden. I am making a quilt with them and just made pillowcases with that line, too. Oh it makes my heart swell! haha CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE THE NEW LINE!

[Desiree Pelletier]

Lovely skirts! I don't know how you manage, just reading about all the things you are doing makes me so tuckered out.

[Lorajean G.]

I think I am going to have to make some pretty hair bows for my daughter now!

[Heather Bailey]

Aren't those hair bows great? I gave Jill a bunch of ribbons with the outfits and these are the bows she put together.

[Emily]

Very, very snazzy skirts there =) can't believe it's been a year since March/April of the Tools!

[Claire B]

Oh man, those are just about the most darling things!

[Carolyn]

Gorgeos, beautiful, lovely! You really know how to make a simple t-shirt so pretty too. Great work, thanks for sharing. If you have a pattern for that skirt, I'm off to purchase it!

[Christine Brandel]

Thank you, Heather! I didn't even think of making the underskirt of something like muslin and adding the contrast to that. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful information. :)

[Mary Ann/Ca]

Oh gosh, such a clever way to stretch out our favorite fabrics, using something like muslin as the underskirt. I am finishing up the stacking rings for my granddaughters 1st birthday in a few weeks. I'll have to figureout how to post them to photostream!
And this sweet outfit has gone into the inspiration journal for a year or two from now.

[SarahB]

That is such a cute outfit! My daughter just announced that is what she wants to wear tomorrow to school. :)

[AdronsCatherine]

Oooooooh! Those are just gorgeous! I'm in love with how fresh and fun they are - I'm running right now to look at Jona's patterns now!!! I know I've seen 'em before, but there's nothing like a little inspiration, right?

[Denise Downs]

Where did you get the cute t-shirts to do the applique on? They look like such a nice quality and that makes all the difference!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful talents with the rest of us.

[Heather Bailey]

I picked up the tee shirts at Target. The quality and style were just right.

[Denise Downs]

Sorry for all the questions... but I was also wondering how you keep the fabric applique from unraveling or fraying around the edges? It looks like you used a straight stitch to applique... does that work better than a zig zag stitch?

[the domestic fringe]

Love these outfits. Every time I see cute clothes for little girls, I want a new sewing maching.

-FringeGirl

[Lynn]

The skirts and tops are just gorgeous. So girly and sassy! I love them. Your talent just continues to amaze me. Lynn

[Heather Bailey]

The appliques are fused to the shirts with fusible web, such as Wonder Under™, then stitched in place with a straight stitch about 1/8 inch away from the raw edge. The cut edges are exposed, which is charming, I think. With both fusible web and machine-stitching holding the appliques in place, only slight fraying will occur. I've made these sorts of tee shirts before and I like how they look even better after they've been washed.

[Chloe]

I LOVE all of it - the colors, the prints, the lighting in the photographs! Very inspiring. I think I'm going to have to commit to some serious sewing time after this post! Thanks as always for the beautiful inspiration!

[Missteee]

WOW - those skirts are the cutest!!

[Gretchen Skovron]

so beautiful heather!

[Rachael Rabbit]

This is so lovely and gorgeous and springy ....

[Megan Renfree]

Love the parent trap reference. one of my all time favourites!! The skirts and tees are just beautiful. I bet the girls love them!!

[SummerSadie]

My goodness...I love the fabric and I LOVE the outfits! So cute.

[Gabby]

Those skirts are GORGEOUS and I yet again am blown away by your amazing skillZ!

[Shellie Wilson]

Love your site! Do you sell the skirts, or the patterns? I love so much of what you make - the skirts, the bows, everything! I'd love if I could by them or if you would be willing to sell the patterns.

[Martha]

Just beautiful...I totally thought at first that it was a woman's skirt. I might make one for myself and matching ones for my girls!!!

[FruteJuce]

Lovely skirts, they are the business!

[Tosha]

Heather,

I've been a fan of your work for a couple of years now and look at your site on a weekly basis. You are one talented lady and super sweet! I just wanted to tell you that I LOVE the outfits you made...stinkin' cute! And your Trash Ties....so cute. I need to buy some!
Congrats and continue the inspirational work you do! You so totally rock!

[reminisceheirlooms]

Oh Heather this is just beautiful- as is everything- always! Loved the bows, too!

[Tracy]

What a wonderful outfit. I love the colors together. Your very talented.

[Jeanne]

Such beautiful skirts. I also love to make applique tops. They are easy and turn out looking so amazing! Your fabrics are incredible.

[Mary Lou Weidman]

I always smile looking at your wonderful blog Heather...you are a blessing to many people.
Mary Lou Weidman

[Giddy]

You amaze me! When I grow up I want to be just like you! Can I shadow you?
HUGS,
Giddy

[Kris]

AMAZING!!!!! That outfit is just gorgeous.

[Shannon]

I have given you an award!!!

[emilie]

that skirt is absolutely adorable !!

[sharon-lizette]

Yeh, I love this particular fabric you designed. I spent some time earlier in the week cutting out the motifs to make a pair of decoupaged (appliqued) jeans. Can't wait to get them finished!

[Marie]

This outfit is adorable! So bright and pretty and clean! I love it.