Skip to main content

Skirt Challenge Inspiration: A Flowy Summer Maxi


Julie from Fabric Mart contacted me late last month and asked if I wanted to participate in Fabric Mart's Skirt Challenge (#sewcoolskirts) for May. Of course I said yes. I mean who doesn't need a new skirt for spring!

Now my skirt isn't made from a current pattern. I have way too many TNT skirt patterns in my pattern collection to reinvent the wheel. However, my skirt is influenced by an ad that was in my email box.

Inspiration Photo from Dressbarn.com


My fabric is a lightweight ponte from Fabric Mart. I purchased it a couple of months ago and while not exactly the same, it is very similar to the fabric in my inspiration picture.

A little more about my skirt ~
I've really fallen in love with the slim fit through the hips yet flared at the hemline maxi skirts. When I saw the ad featuring the black and white maxi skirt, I knew that my TNT 4 gore skirt with an elastic waistline would work to make one of my own. I had to make a few alterations to my pattern piece but that and the ponte fabric got me a new maxi skirt just in time for the hot weather.

Pattern Alterations ~

- I started by making a pattern sandwich to get a maxi length skirt pattern piece. The original skirt pattern piece was placed on my cutting table.
- Then I added the shortened version on top of it.
- Finally some tracing paper.
- I traced the top and sides of the skirt and added 6" to the hemline adding just enough flare to the sides so the skirt hangs properly.


1) Four pieces of the pattern were cut out and sewn together.
2) I inserted 1" non-roll elastic to the waistline casing.
3) After trying the skirt on, it was a tad too long.
4) So I serged an inch off the hemline.
5) A 1/2" hem was turned up, pressed down and then stitched
6) Walah! An easy peasy new maxi skirt!

A few photos of the skirt in action ~





I used a lightweight ponte for this version because I loved the drape and flow of the fabric. However, the skirt will be great in challis, linens, ltwt denims with a little stretch and voiles for summer. BTW, I'm wearing my skirt with a Concord T made with a cotton/lycra knit that I'm almost sure I purchased from Fabric Mart.

It's such a quick sew, perfect for summer. I know I will make a couple more of them because this skirt fits perfectly into my summer wearing ease philosophy.


I hope you'll make a quick 'n easy summer maxi this season too! Thank you Julie for asking me to participate in the Skirt Challenge!


Carolyn
Diary of a Sewing Fanatic  


Thank you to Carolyn for being a guest blogger during the Skirt Challenge! 

Share your me-made skirts thru May 31st and be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to Fabric Mart! Share on Facebook or Instagram using #sewcoolskirts. 

Comments

  1. What a nice summer outfit. Loose skirts are comfy and allow airflow to keep you cool. I like the top, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Tacompat - it's a wonderful outfit to wear. Easy and effortless!

      Delete
  2. What a wonderful skirt and fabric selection Carolyn ... FIESTA :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love me a black and white print. This skirt looks great on you and looks so easy and chic to wear <3

    Ooh I made a skirt with FM fabric...I should share it on FB!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great skirt! Really pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your skirt looks great! I think your FM fabric is maybe even a little better than the inspiration photo.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lovely skirt, Carolyn. It's perfect for this season.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Carolyn, this is gorgeous! I love it! I want one now!

    ReplyDelete
  8. louana2009@live.comMay 8, 2018 at 3:59 PM

    Good job, Carolyn. I think I will have to make a skirt.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made By A Fabricista: Why I Love Sewing Woven Fabrics Over Knits

Sewing is a creative hobby that allows me to express my unique style while adding a personal touch to my wardrobe. When it comes to choosing between wovens and knits I will mostly always choose woven. There are a lot of reasons I choose wovens as my go-to choice. The project I chose for this Fabric Mart make is from Friday Pattern Company’s Patina Blouse .  I used a gorgeous lightweight rayon .  It’s delicate hand is the perfect blouse weight and it drapes beautifully with this pattern. In this blog post, l'll explore the advantages of sewing woven blouses over knit shirts, highlighting the creativity, versatility, and satisfaction that come with this choice.  The Joy of Creativity Sewing a woven blouse offers a chance for my creativity to flourish. Woven fabrics come in a wide array of colors, patterns, and textures, allowing me to unleash my artistic potential. With knits, the stretch and drape of the fabric often limit my design options. In contrast, woven fabrics give me the fr

Fabricista Guest Post: Perfectly Imperfect

Hey Sewing Friends!! I’m super excited to be a guest Fabricista. I’ve been a fan of Fabric Mart since I began sewing again in 2020. Let me begin with an introduction. I’m Eras, and my Instagram account is sewing_andmore. During the day, I work as a Nurse Practitioner, and I  first learned to sew in my local 4-H club when I was in middle school.  At that time, I had an amazing sewing instructor, Mrs. McKinney, who was extremely patient and was by my side for every step. However, in 2020, the stress of being a Nurse Practitioner during the pandemic made me turn to sewing for my mental health. I started out sewing and creating masks, and I immediately saw a change in my mood. I’m so glad I dusted off my old sewing machine, and I haven’t stopped! After seeing the rush of adrenaline and satisfaction sewing provided, I started making clothes. When I no longer needed fat-quarters, I started looking for online fabric stores. It was during this time that I discovered Fabric Mart and their great

Made By A Fabricista: Skipping Winter - Tailored Outfits in Twill & Shirting for Spring

Hi Fabric Mart fans! I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving! This month, while perusing the Fabric Mart collection, I was drawn to cotton twill fabrics. My son, who's growing like a weed, is always in need of new pants! I could easily have made him multiple pairs of pants, however I was also drawn to a bright blue stretch twill for me. I just can't resist a bold color on a jacket, and this blue was calling my name! I hope you love these outfits as much as I do! Since I planned to make pants for my son, I knew I'd need to make a button-down shirt as well. Fabric Mart had a range of fabulous cotton shirtings and it was hard to land on just one, but I eventually picked this royal blue gingham which pairs perfectly with the tan twill pants. When it comes to woven patterns for boys, I can never go past Oliver+S. I've made their dress shirts so many times now - the finishes are always lovely, and always so worth the time and effort. I used the Buttoned-Up Button-Down Shi