Skirting the issue

I have a new love in my life. It steals my time and I love every minute of it. I tell myself that it is worth it because it will somehow magically unleash the creative side of me. My love? Pinterest.

Yes, I've been sucked in and I'm only slightly ashamed to admit it. I did make a decision at the outset that I wasn't going to let it become a catalyst for being dissatisfied with what I have, that I wasn't going to let it become a source of a 'gimme' list. You will find very few gadgets pinned to my boards. Instead, it's a place of inspiration for crafting, thrifting, home decorating on a budget and oh yes, lots and lots of food. (There may also be a board dedicated to my love of all things geeky and sci-fi/fantasy related.)

The other day I was browsing some boards and came across this tutorial for making a skirt out of a men's t-shirt. Immediately I decided that I had to make one of those. The only problem was that none of my husband's t-shirts were long enough to cut into and still have a skirt of sufficient length, and I wanted it for this weekend.

No big deal, I thought. After all, what is a t-shirt other than a tube of stretchy fabric? So I hit the fabric store, bought a yard of techni-colored t-shirt fabric for three dollars and started sewing.

Here's how I modified the original tutorial.

First, I measured my hips at the biggest part, added in one inch for seam allowance and one inch for ease, because the last thing I want is fabric stretched tight across my rear. I kind of wish I had added another inch...the amount of ease you give it can be up to you, limited only by the width of your fabric. Fold your fabric in half with the stretch running horizontally. (You want it to stretch over your hips, unless you have no hips in which case I do not like you.) Stitch a seam along the open side.

OK, you can't really see it that well, but you've just ended up with a tube of material. I played with my machine and found an interesting new stitch that I used to finish off the edge of the seam.

Once you have your tube of material, start shirring from the top as explained in the original tutorial. (You will need elastic thread on the bobbin for this part.) I did about fifteen rows of shirring. I made the mistake of trying it on after only eight rows and resigned myself to hating it, but after fifteen the fit ended up just perfect.

I finished the hem with my new funky little stitch (which makes my sewing machine sound like it is going to explode), turning the hem under one inch and sewing a double row of stitches.

The entire project took me one afternoon, but part of that time was spent cursing my old machine because the thread kept breaking. And obviously if you start with a t-shirt you cut out several steps. In the end you will have a cute knit skirt that will hopefully help you weather those 100 degree days with just a little more style. Although it must be argued that plastering my lower half in bright tie-dye colors probably doesn't qualify as style. But it looks cute on the hangar and will make an awesome cover-up for going to the pool.

So, there's my justification for all the time spent on Pinterest. Who knows what I'll create next?