New Look 6470 / Headband & Skirt

Last week I made this headband and skirt... We hosted a party - and while the menu was the easy part, the question of what to wear was a bit trickier. Something day-time dressy - but not too dressy, summery - but that will match a warm cover-up in case it gets cold (even though it is summer, we tended to hit only the mid-60's all this week during the warmest part of the day), and something that will match shoes that I already have in my closet... and believe me, the choices are limited unless you count sneakers! Hummmm, what to do?

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Well, sew up a skirt using the most beautiful duponi silk, that I bought at Marden's last time I was there for a mere $1 yard. I bought 2 yards of each yellow, with not a clue what I would sew, so yes - I have plenty left over. But for $1 a yard - unheard of for duponi - let's see, I can make a matching bag, a bolero jacket.... believe me, I will think of something. But next time I see duponi at such a price I will get 3 yards for more versitility.

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As luck would have it, the afternoon was beautiful! But toward the end I was reaching for my cover-up - a beautiful green pashima/silk shawl from Nepal that is feather-light, but oh so warm! All in all, I was happy that I was able to pull this outfit together.

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Anyway, the pattern is New Look 6470 (by Simplicity) and it couldn't have been easier. The skirt actually has an elastic waist. I did have to shorten the length by 3" though - and I am tall. I didn't realize it would be so long and then ended up cutting the 3" off the waist - which I just barely got away with because any more and it would have interferred with the shaping of the skirt. Still, it worked - even though I cut the pattern 1 size down from my normal size so it would be a bit more fitted and have less gathers at the waist from the elastic. I am definately going to make this skirt again, but will shorten it on the shortening line next time. I cut it out on Thursday, sewed it Friday morning and wore it on Saturday! Easy, easy! Just one thing about the pattern if you make it - cut the notches OUT so that you can find them - I usually cut notches in, but for this pattern you have to cut many little notches to ease the flounce and inward cut notches would have been impossible to find.

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I used a double needle and top stitched the side seams and the seam for the flounce using 2 different spools of sparkly thread that I love so much, but that always, always breaks on me. But guess what? It doesn't break if I use 2 strands together - 1 in each of the double needles AND if I just do one section at a time, turn off the machine and let it cool off and then do the next section. The hem is turned up 1/4" and then another 1/4" and top stitched also. I did not have any silk thread and the closest poly thread I had was cream, but I used it only for the seams so it was ok.

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From now on, when I buy fabric, I will make sure to get the matching thread! It all worked out fine, but only because I had a double needle and pretty thread, phew! I was so scared I would break that double needle before I got done, because the closest store to buy such a needle is about 6 1/2 hours away from me, round trip and that would have been out of the question. I must admit - the topstitching is really a nice touch on this skirt - well worth the extra time spent on it (the directions don't mention topstitching, but I often add it when I make clothes). Still no serger, so I pinked the seams - not sure how long that will last with duponi, but I think it should be fine (another good reason for the topstitching - it will help hold it down). Oh - and since I am a MOMMA to a slightly messy Little Boy, I pre-washed and dryed the fabric first. Yes I did! All fabric in my household has to hold up to a regular washing machine/dryer, so in it went before I even made a stitch.

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The headband pattern I got out of the summer issue of Sew Simple (by Quiltmaker). I thought it was too wide so cut it a bit thinner - I wish I had made it even thinner - oh well, next time! I used a decorative stitch to top stitch, using the sparkly thread and double needles again. The thread broke 2X doing this - probably got too hot with all the fancy stitching. On the ties I used the straight stitch (double needles/fancy thread) and had no problem. I also inserted an elastic to the underside to help hold it in place. I put my hair into a French Twist and I think it looked great with the headband, so I am happy that I made it.

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There is a very nice headband pattern at http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/heather_bailey/2006/05/hooray_for_head.html- I want to make a few of these! This pattern also uses a piece of elastic so if you look at the photos on this site you can see what I am talking about.

When top stitching pointy end corners I put a piece of sticky embroidery stablizer under the fabric - this keeps the feed dogs from eating my fabric. You could also use a sticky post-it note with the same effect. For turning long-skinny pieces like this right side out, I use a pair of surgical hemostats - much longer and a better grip than a bodkin! If you don't have either - try a pair of tweezers.

And, even though I have the menu posted over on my cooking blog at http://www.starfishyskitchen.blogspot.com/, I can't leave you without a photo of 1 of the 7 sandwich platters... the party was a huge success and helped raise some much appreciated funds for our favorite little museum.