Welcome to day 2 of the Hippy Chick Skirt sew-along. Don't forget, if you have any questions, suggestions, or tips to share; please make sure to post them on our Facebook group. Also, if you would like to see any of the images posted in this blog larger, just click on them. It might be helpful in some steps.
Day 2 - Sewing Your Skirt Panel
1. Yesterday, you decided the order of the fabrics for your skirt panel. Today, we are going to sew those fabrics together! Grab your fabrics and start laying them out according to the diagram on the top of page 5. Pay close attention to make sure you have your strips in the correct order and that they are not upside down if you are using directional fabrics.
Use those labeled selvages to help you remember what number each fabric is.
2. Take strip 2 and lay it on top of strip 1. Place them right sides together, matching up the right hand side raw edges.
3. Pin together.
4. We will be stitching these two fabrics together using a straight stitch and a ¼" seam allowance. Use a measuring tape or ruler to make sure you know where exactly to stitch.
5. Stitch your seam. Make sure to back stitch 3 or 4 stitches at the beginning and at the end of you seam, to lock in your stitches.
6. Next, open up your panel and lay strip 3 on top of strip 2 with right sides together and matching up the raw edges along the right hand side. Pin in place. Stitch together again using a ¼" seam allowance.
7. Repeat until you have sewn all 9 strips together.
8. You will now be repeating the same pattern you just created. Lay your second strip 1 on top of your strip 9, right sides together and matching raw edges on the right hand side. Pin and stitch. Repeat for the remaining strips.
9. You will now have a VERY long panel of fabric strips.
10. Next, you will create a large loop, or band, with your fabric panel. With right sides together, match up the raw edges of the very first panel with the very last panel. Make sure your loop has no twists in it. Pin together and stitch.
11. Our next step is to finish the raw edges of your inside seams. You want to do this so you do not have loose threads fraying off the fabric edges. It also strengthens your seams. You can finish your raw edges with an overlock stitch (check your machine's manual). Or you could use a serger if you have access to one. Or you can simply use a zig-zag stitch.
I have a serger, so that is what I used.
12. Next, press your seams. Using steam will help to create crisp seams, which is important when sewing. Press your seams so they alternate. Your first seam should be pressed to the right. The next seam to the left. Then the right, and so on.
13. Our final step is to top stitch each seam. To achieve a more professional look you will want to lengthen your stitches. I go from 2.5 on my machine to 3.5 when I top stitch.
14. Top stitch 1/8" away from your seam. Pull out a tape measure or ruler to make sure you know exactly where your 1/8" mark is on your machine.
15. Top stitching creates a crisp, finished look on the outside of your garment and secures your seam allowances on the inside. Make sure when you are top stitching that you are stitching on the side of the seam that you pressed the seam allowance to. When you have finished your top stitches, panels will alternate. You will have one panel top stitched on both the right and left side, and the next panel will have no top stitching on it. For further details, check out the diagram on the top of page 5 of your instructions.
That's it for today. You have done a great job! Come back tomorrow to finish up your skirt.
* If you would like to enter the prize drawing, please make sure you submit a picture of your completed lesson two to the Facebook Album by 12:00 noon CT, Thursday, July 31st. Also, if you have any questions the Facebook Group is a great place to ask.
Thanks for sewing with me,
Danielle Storm
www.whimsicalfabric.com
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