9.26.2011

A Birthday Skirt

Did you know that all the best patterns for baby and children's clothes are made by moms? I recently discovered Pink Fig Designs. Mama-made patterns that are SO CUTE. Pink Fig patterns are designed to be made from woven fabric, which is great. Knits are fantastic, but sometimes it is really hard to find good prints at a good price. 


The first thing I made was the Nie Nie Skirt. I love how it turned out. Gathering ruffles isn't my favorite task, but I love the result. I'll have to look into a gathering foot for my machine.


Addy is modeling the skirt, though it isn't for her. It is for one of her friends who is just a couple weeks younger than Addy. The little girl needed a birthday skirt, and this will be it! 


I used my serger quite a bit for this skirt. You could get away without one, but I love my serger and use it at every opportunity. I did a serged rolled hem on each layer instead of a sewn rolled hem. It makes such a nice finish to a ruffled look. 


The only modification I made to the pattern was to use 5 ruffled layers instead of the 6 outlined in the pattern. The smallest size in the original is a 2T. This being for a first birthday, it needed to be a little smaller. I didn't want the strips that make up the layers to be any more narrow than they already are, so I went with omitting the sixth layer to make it a little shorter. 


The skirt was to be "Cupcake Themed." And so there are a couple of cupcake prints. I also think the tiers add to the theme, bringing to mind layers of piped icing. 


I love the fullness of this skirt. It bustles with that little toddler toddle and just adds to the cuteness. Addy will definitely need a couple of these for herself!