Perhaps, when you almost don’t have enough fabric to finish it!
I’ve been bustin’ through my stash and so far, have made a flowered vintage dress and a red Sewaholic Hollyburn. Next I thought I would make a black Sewaholic Hollyburn – you can see the link to the pattern company here: Sewaholic Hollyburn. I found some black in my fabric stash, a polyester, but not a stretchy knit. I’m not too sure exactly what it is. As I was cutting out my fabric, I realized that I didn’t really have enough black fabric for the two wide skirt pieces. My fabric remanent was too narrow.
So let’s give this a try… I made a 4 panel skirt into a 6 panel skirt.
Cutting my two skirt pieces into two at the grain line, I put the CF and CB pieces on the folds of the fabric and cut two each of the side front and back pieces. This way I had narrower skirt pieces to place on my fabric, but this now meant that I had to put my zipper in the side, instead of the back seam.
What else did I change? Oh yes, I didn’t have any fabric left for pockets, so I made “faux” pockets. (Tap the photo to read.)
With a little imagination, this Hollyburn pattern has so many possibilities. I fell into this variation by accident, but I am thinking about other possibilities now!
The weather was lovely again today so I slipped outside for some photos.
(If you are interested in reading about the top I am wearing, it was blogged about here.)
Mr. Green Thumb has done his usual lovely job of the garden. It is getting hot and dry now though. I am happy that he has brought the kids out for a dip in the pond!
Have you tried any Sewaholic patterns yet?
Happy Sewing!
Ooh I like the faux pockets! Great idea!
Thank you!
Nice work Linda, you made it work. I have tried once to make a renfrew but didn’t like the way it fitted, will give it another try sometime.
Thank you! Well, sometimes pattern makers make a pattern to a specific body type and you can’t get it to work for you without some major adjustments.
Don’t know what others might say, but I think your save was brilliant – congratulations!
del
Thank you! Amazingly enough, I now have a black skirt!
Yeah – lots of possible combinations!
Great save, adjusting the pattern layout! So creative of you. (I would have had a good cry, then probably opted for a skirt) Just ready to start my first garment, Vogue 8950, and looking forward to trying Sewaholic and other Indie designs. Glad the kids get out to enjoy the pool.
Thank you! I’m looking forward to seeing your Vogue!
That’s a really nice outfit. Your kids are looking a little pale. 😀 Kidding aside, I like your skirt and top, especially the gathered sleeves. You weren’t quite sure what the black fabric was, it didn’t come from the stash I gave you? There was a red and black in that stash that was environmentally friendly because it’s made out of crab shells and sea shells. Sophie and Simon would be all over you.
Thank you! Yes, we all need some sun! 😄 It might have come from what you gave me. Someone (me? You?) had already taken pieces out of it. The cats haven’t seen it yet. I try to keep them away from my good clothes – hair, claws, etc. Put anything down and they will climb onto on it!
Your Hollyburn looks lovely! And oh my with that top! They were meant to go together 🙂 Great brainstorming to save the skirt and manipulate the pattern so you can use your material!!!
BTW wow on the landscaping, it’s beautiful there!! Fantastic yard, enjoy the weather Linda…happy summer 🙂
Thanks! I was lucky, the fabrics match pretty well! And the changes to the skirt worked well too! I have my husband to thank for the yard! Happy summer to you too!
Clever way to make that pattern work for you! I love the top too, I had to revisit your blog post about that! I haven’t tried a sewaholic pattern yet, but have been meaning to. I have so many patterns…so little time…Love Mr. Green Thumbs contribution to your post too. What a gorgeous yard!
Thank you! I have worn this top many times since sewing it. I’m always happy when the nice weather comes. The inside of our house is do dark!
Love how you made this work. Looks a really useful, stylish new addition to your wardrobe 🙂
Thank you! Who can’t use a black skirt!
Lovely skirt and great idea with the faux pockets – I’m always skipping those because I never seem to have enough fabric!
Thanks! It is the hidden stuff I always miss. Like “I’ve got an extra part?”
Wow your save was great. I have done a “dang it doesn’t work” before and simply put it away to try to figure out what to do and never gone back to it. Great thinking on the spot.
Thanks! Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t!
When we are short on fabric, we sure can get innovative, no? Love your skirt and the top together. Since the Sewaholic patterns have such a narrow size range I have never opted to try them as neither me nor my clients stop at the end size range and with them being designed for a B cup and a very young figure, it is not worth altering the paper.
Thank you! Although some people might consider me to be stubborn, not innovative! 😀 Yes, I do find indie designers to be different, from each other and from the big pattern companies. You always have to pay attention to what you are buying.
I often tweak the fullness of a skirt if I don’t have quite enough fabric as intended by the designer. And I’ve made up two Sewaholic patterns: the Cambie (twice) and the PJ pants. I’m impressed with the fit through the hips, but the Cambie bodice has been a nightmare to fit both times. I always have to do and FBA and rotate the darts – even for my 11 year old! But overall, I really like them. Her Robson trench is in my queue…
I haven’t done the Cambie yet, or any other pattern of her’s other than this skirt. I do like the look of her trench coat! Thanks for the tips on the bodice. I have the Oakridge top and I am sure I will have to be careful when I do that one!
Great save idea. I had that problem with one of the Kiddo’s patterns and ended up color blocking it to make it look like the extra color was intentional. I’ll have to try it your way next time. 🙂
That would work too. I was considering it myself, but I wanted my skirt to be all basic black.
I told my daughter about your fix and she loved it She said next time I have to try it your way first. 🙂
😀
Good work using your stash and a black skirt is always useful. The faux pockets are a great idea. I’ve made the Cordova jacket, which I was happy with. I would make it again reducing the shoulders a bit more than my last attempt.
Thank you! I had to look up the Cordiva jacket. I had forgotten about it. I would probably make the version without the side ruffle. I don’t feel comfortable with extra fabric around my waist!
Well done faking the pockets! Looks great! Bet you’ll be wearing your hollyburns loads 😃
Thanks, yes, especially since I am more confident with making alterations to it now.
This is really a nice skirt! I made a quite similar Hollyburn, but fortnately, I had enough fabric… And I love wearing it in summer, it’s so comfortable!
I wish you a great summer in your lovely skirt!
Greetings from Germany
Almut
Well greetings Almut from Germany. Thanks for stopping by. I do like this pattern. When I sewed my previous one, I had lots of fabric. So much I put a pleat in the front of it! There are a lot of different things you can do with this pattern.