Time to quit!

Well, I began the embroidery process and finalized the designs I was going to use. Printed out the template, etc. The first design stitched out beautifully. I then ran out of bobbin thread and in the process of removing the hoop, the embroidery unit locked up. After doing different things to unlock it, besides shutting the machine down, I save the design combos and restarted the machine. I was simply unable to get the design to line up correctly.

I decided that salvaging my skirt is just not in my cards. Nor do I want to keep futzing around with it. I found in my fabric collection another blue fabric piece that I will use to make me a blue skirt. It is the right shade of blue to go with the floral print fabric.

I am cooking dinner now and hope to cut out the new blue fabric, using the same pattern. I have run out of blue thread that matches. Tomorrow I am pin fitting top patterns to make the top for the other skirt I completed as well as make the top from the floral print for the blue skirt. I am also considering some other tops I have made and perhaps use those patterns instead.

Mayday Solution

I want to thank all of you who left comments about my center faded color on my skirt.


I tried using fabric pen in similar color, on left over fabric; and Paintstick in similar blue. Not happy with results. As to throwing it into a vat of Ritz dye, gave that real thought but decided the lighter/faded area would still look off from everything else.


I had an idea about embroidering on the front as did Angela. I was flipping through Designs in Machine Embroidery and that was the initial inspiration and then taking Angela's comments I have found two designs that I think will work great. As another person suggested, use a wider design so it is not right down the center. I will use that suggestion as well.

I have the right blue tonal thread to use and will be giving this a try today. Wish me luck

SOS! Mayday!

I realized, of course after making my blue skirt, that there is color fading where the fabric was folded. Why not before making??? I skipped some steps in the cutting process and did not press fabric before working with it---there is a lesson here, folks.

Anywho-it is noticeable and perhaps more so to me than others, still it exists. Is there something that I can do to help try to restore the color in that area? I really like the skirt and want to salvage it. I thought about adding embroidery design to help conceal it, but it is right up the center.

Your thoughts and feedback are greatly appreciated.

1945 Skirt progress

I began working on my skirt last weekend. Did not do much with it during the week. It is "BUDGET" season at work and it gets hectic and time consuming. I feel for our accounting staff having to put up with us on developing a budget and not getting it all together on the first go around.

I digress. My point was that I just did not have the sewing feeling when I got home this week or had other places to be. So leaving work today, I came straight home. My DH had to work late, thus I got PST. I continue to work on my skirt.

The skirt side seams are not seams but a long dart. One dart is sewn the other is not and becomes the side opening. You insert a zipper or snap placket. I finally got the gist of what I needed to do with inserting the zipper which went in well. BUT!-you knew that was coming.
When you lap the zipper over the other side of the dart, it just does not lay right and of course there is no seam into which you have sewn the zipper.

I know, I know, it would help to see this but I have decided to stop sewing for now and did not take a picture. Anyway, it just does not lay quite flat, you have this little pucker at the zipper bottom. Keep in mind if you had not put a zipper there, it would be a dart.

I know I will think of something but did ask for some assistance from sewists at Sew Retro, thinking someone there may have made this. But if you are reading this here and you have sewn this skirt, leave a comment to where I can email you to discuss this sewing "opportunity".