Lucy La La Skirt in Pink
It’s been a great day! I sewed a new skirt (free pattern) for Miss A this morning and spent the afternoon being entertained by the Russian Ballet Company.
The skirt first.
When the Surly Steamstress posted on her blog a polka dot skirt that she had drafted and made her daughter I was in awe. When I got to the bottom on the post, I was delighted to see that she was offering to make it a free downloadable pattern if there was any interest. Me interested? Oh yes! I emailed quickly to say pretty please.
The Lucy La La Skirt Pattern was released on Friday. It’s a free downloadable pattern (single size) that is equivalent to an Australian girls size 6. The measurements for height (115cm-118cm) and waist (53cm-55cm) match Miss A’s current measurements. Happy days!
The skirt is well drafted and the instructions are brief but clear. The Surly Steamstress is planning on posting a step-by-step tutorial on her blog in the coming days.
I did make two minor changes to the pattern. I only had 25cm wide elastic (the pattern calls for 20cm) so rather than creating an casing for the elastic, I overlocked it to the the outer edge of the wrong side of the fabric and then folded it over and stitched it down. By the way, this is the method that is used in Tessuti’s Anita Ponti Pants. My second change was to bind the hem with some store brought bias binding. It seemed the easiest way to get the neatest finish on a curved hem!
And now the twirl test…
It passes with flying colours!
Pattern: The Surly Steamstress’s Lucy La La Skirt Pattern
Size: 6
Fabric: Pink denim from Kelani Fabric Obsession which has been in the stash for some time
Alterations: I used a slightly different method for attached the elastic. The hem was bound with bias binding.
Now the skirt is rather crushed in the above photos, but what can you expect after Miss A sat through 2.5 hours of ballet, plus the car ride to the theatre and home? I’m so proud of my girls. Opphs, I’m skipping ahead. Let’s start at the very beginning… it’s a very good place to start. Oh dear, a Sound of Music reference!
For my birthday last year my Mum gave me a copy of a ticket for the Russian Ballet Company’s performance of Don Quixote at the Palais Theatre on May 10th (today!). The note on the ticket said, “A copy of your ticket. Event also includes tickets for two little girls and a grandma”.
To set the scene, my girls aren’t good movie watches, the one live show I took Miss A to was a disaster, so I had low expectations about how our afternoon at the ballet would go. To say that I was surprised and delighted would be an understatement. Miss A and Miss B were wide eyed taking in the music, costumes and of course the dancing. It was a fabulous production.
From the time we got home until bedtime Miss B was twirling, leaping, prancing and dancing around. She could hardly sit still to eat her dinner. Like many young girls she’s dreaming of being a ballerina. I dream about sewing, what do you dream of?
It looks adorable on Miss A! I think gathered skirts are cute for little ones but this fluted number is very nice.
Thanks Sarah Jo 🙂
Oh to wear a twirly skirt to the ballet! Glad you all had fun! Pity this size is small, my daughter (21) tried on a similar skirt and asked me to sew it for her. Might have to go figure out the math for the circle-y skirt to draft it. Or hunt for a similar pattern in my too many Japanese sewing books 🙂
And a twirly pink skirt! I hear you about the too many Japanese sewing books. Good luck with finding or drafting a skirt pattern for your daughter. I look forward to seeing the results (no pressure or anything!).
Very sweet skirt and it sounds like the girls were fabulous for your Mother’s Day. I dream of 4-5 extra hours each day in which to sew!
I share your dream Karen!
I dream of sewing too, but in my dreams my house is tidy and my children well behaved! I love the twirl test, too cute. Miss A looks great. Glad you enjoyed the ballet. Mine like live theatre, they are always open mouthed it’s a joy to watch them!
Oh yes, I want the tidy house & well behaved kids dream too. Can I also add children who never get sick?
Pretty skirt!
Sounds like a lovely day was had by all.
It was a great day. Hard to go back to the school & kinder routine today!
Super cute! Mr H told me today he was going to drive a monster truck with flashing lights when he grows up. Excellent. To be young and carefree again!!
Oh yes, I’ll take a bit if that young & carefree again…
I love your daughters whole outfit, I am glad that the pattern worked out so well for you! And using bias binding for the hem is a great idea! My eldest is desperate to be a ballerina, or an artist, or a tickle monster! I am just happy that she has a few options on her plate!
Thanks again for the great pattern Sandra. I like the idea of a tickle monster. I’m sure it’s the job of the future.