PR&P Week 1: Piece By Piece Chevron Skirt

It's finally here! My first look for Project Run & Play- and I'm really kind of in love with it. It's the perfect marriage of my two sewing loves- making cute kid clothes and piecing quilts. Every stripe on every panel of this circle skirt is pieced from Moda Bella solids provided by Sewn Studio. (My AWESOME sponsor and support in this competition.) That's 160 pieces. Holy seam matching. 

If you didn't look closely, you might think it was just some trendy chevron fabric.  But the fabric cut into a circle skirt wouldn't have the chevrons all going the right direction. I didn't mean to necessarily appeal to such a big trend right now-  I was originally thinking of it as a pieced herringbone skirt. But with the stark black and white in one inch finished strips, there's nothing else you could call this but chevron. And trendy or no, it's still pretty irresistible. 

Here it is on my floor in various stages of production. I love the way the seams looked underneath. The secret to the whole thing was in the cutting. You had to get the angle just right or the panels would not match up with each other. It was one of those moments you have in sewing where you work and work and really don't know if all your work will actually work until it's done. And thank goodness it did. 

I was inspired by Rachel's Herringbone tutorial. It basically starts out the same way, but I changed the dimensions and angles some. 

I also remixed the circle skirt pattern by changing the exposed elastic waistband into an encased one, with an extra wide facing that gives it the look of an adorable paper bag waist. I really love that detail and I think it will become my preferred way to finish circle skirts from now on. 

I put a lot of thought into what type of top to make for this skirt. It had to have enough style to stand up to the high impact of the skirt while not taking away from it. I decided to pair modern and retro with this throw back cap-sleeved bow collar blouse. The pussy bow is making a comeback in women's wear all over the place, but I don't think I've seen it on children's clothing yet (though I'm sure it exists.) I used Oval Elements in Amethyst by Art Gallery Fabrics, also from Sewn Studio.  I think the soft purple dots complement the black and white so well, while keeping things light and springy. And I always love a spin on the classic dot.

The inside of the shirt is all finished in French seams, and I made dainty quarter inch bias binding for the sleeves and neckline under the bow. The bow itself is actually unattached and held in place by three little belt loops (are they still belt loops if they don't hold a belt?) I placed at the shoulders and back of the neck. It's such a small detail, but I love how it feels almost a little masculine or military.

And thanks SO much to Nathan for the amazing pictures taken at a moment's notice. He and Edie also loaned me Lily as a model, who was exceedingly cute and cooperative, even though she felt under the weather. 

So that's it! Feels so good to finally get this show on the road :)    Vote here please!!!!