a challenge

I've had grand plans and dreams in my head of making some new spring / summer skirts. It's just what we do this time of year, right? I do. I dream about getting out of heavy, winter clothes. And I start wearing the lighter spring clothes far before the weather dictates it.  So I love the springtime closet clean-out, which happened this week. It led me to discover no less than 38 skirts already in the closet. 38. I was discussing the ridiculousness of this out loud to no one in particular, and deciding that, in fact, quite sadly, I had no reason whatsoever, to make a new skirt at all. When out of the blue - up perked some little ears and a little mouth, with a very matter-of-fact, "Well, Mama. You like skirts, and so you have a lot of them. Just like we like hats, and so we have a lot of them. Right?"

My Ezra-bird continued, "We have 42 hats {it's true - they counted}, and so you should have 42 skirts!" {Simple living, you ask? I guess in our house, exceptions are made for skirts and hats. And maybe a few other things too. Does it make you feel better that they're nearly all thrifted or handmade? Do you see the justification happening here?}

I'm pretty sure Ezra was issuing me a challenge, don't you think?
Kid, you're on.

The skirt inspiration is starting to gather (both from anthropologie):

 

Ah...Summer Skirt making season has officially begun, and I've got four skirts I need to make. I'm happy.

Comments

[Amy]

I love that there's a funnel in the hat box. :) Does that count as one of the 42?

[Max]

How practical your Ezra is! If he were here, I feel sure he'd be encouraging me, too. My closet count yields a measly nine spring/summer skirts!

I look forward to seeing Skirts #39. Your inspiration is fantastic.

[SOULEMAMA]

the funnel? Why, that's the Tin Man's hat! ;)

[lera]

That surely is some skirt inspiration. Who doesn't need 4 more skirts when you look at those?

[Jess H.]

Oh, how fun... I am so not a skirt person.. I want to be... but alas, I'm not. I think my butts to big. Looks like I'm smuggling something :)

However, my daughter loves skirts, so perhaps I will give it a whirl. I have never made clothing so I'm a tad bit nervous. Any tips?

[Helena]

What fun!!! Esra is my kind of kid. You know they enjoy what you wear. Soft and cool. I mean Coool, man. Any hoot, we all have a thing. So, we have several things in the land of plenty. Summer is hell on skirts and I am positive a few will have to be repurposed. I like the skirt on the left to go with all the green shoes. Well, they are both cool. See...your.. uh, planning ahead. snicker!!

[heather]

i love when we seek approval and even permission from our little one's. they really do have many answers and a very sound way of seeing things. wouldn't you agree? it looks like the experts have spoken... can't wait to see your new digs!

[Eren]

Oh, yes! A challenge indeed. The gauntlet has been thrown down. I am sure you will rise to the occasion and become victorious! Now if you happend to make one more than planned, you know there will have to be another hat, he, he.

[James' Mom, Nicole]

I love Anthropologie for inspiration. The prices are outrageous and I find myself thinking, "I could make that!". The only thing is finding the wonderful fabric. Do you have a secret source for that?

[jean]

Unless you actually wear those 38 skirts, give them to one of our favorite places. Maybe you loved them once, but want the experience of making and wearing something different. I know the boys and girl need all their hats, but do you need your 38? Can't wait to see what you create.

[kristin]

i had a similar realization last night.
i was looking at my daughters stuffed
bunnies for inspiration, thinking i might
make her a bunny softie for easter. she had
like 4 of them that i was looking at. and i
realized THE SAME as you - if we have FOUR,
then why do i NEED to make another? even
if it were to be out of used old blue jeans?
so i'm still deciding.
but i'm also looking for the justification...

and as for these early weeks of spring? i agree
in that they are totally for planning out new
spring/summer wearable to be made...perhaps some
of the older ones can be revamped into other needs?
can't wait to see your creations. your choices for
inspirations are wonderful.

[Amber A.]

Boy, I guess I need to get on the ball and make myself some skirts! I still dream about making myself a skirt like the one you made based on the Mixed Print one in Garnet Hill (back in December, I think?)! I loved that one... :-)

[Lynn]

I was just looking for some cool fabric to make a skirt too! Great minds think alike! Way too cool here to wear them yet but it will take me a LOT longer to make one than it will you. Maybe it will be warm by then.

Your little one will make a good husband some day...'go ahead honey...buy another pair of shoes...you deserve it!' :)

[Melissa]

Go for it girlfriend! We all need more handmade/thrifted skirts.

[sarah]

your kids are wonderful!! :) do you use a pattern? I'm looking for a good one for myself, something slightly a-lined but flattering over the tummy and hips (which you don't have a problem with :)) enjoy your spring sewing!

[Catherine]

Have a skirt question, maybe you ladies will have some advice. I recently inherited a fantastic batch of handmade skirts from my Grandmother. I LOVE them, but haven't been able to wear them much. They are a bit thin as she used to wear slips. I need advice on how to have them not be too see-through/clingy without wearing an old school silk slip. If I could make a skirt I would make my own simple one out of linen. How do you handle the dynamics of homemade unlined skirts?

[Jessie]

Yes! Lovely. The collections in our house seem to be hoodies and crayons. I'm sure if we found every lost binkie we ever purchased, we'd have quite a collection there as well.
Happy sewing!
Jessie

[Melissa]

That's so funny, my son has a similar hat bin overflowing with hats. His all time favorite theme is pirates so he 4 great pirate hats and many others ;o)

[Kristy]

Never mind the hats and skirts I love the hat box!

[Grace]

The funnel is for the Tin Woodman, right?

I love your Ezra. He must be one of the sweetest little soul(e)s ever. Really, what a darling little one.

I love skirts, too. In fact, I only wear them. Yesterday I ended up wearing pants somewhere and I felt really weird. However, I must not love skirts as much as you do, because I don't even think I have half 38!

Anyway, back to your skirt inspiration. I just LOVE that black one. It's beautiful! And I wish I could get my head around how to make the waist on the white one. I'd love to have something like that. If you attmept it, be sure to show lots of pictures so we can all copy your solution. ;)

[Shannon Hart]

Do you have any easy skirt patterns you would be willing to share? I would love to make a skirt this spring! (I am a mediocre sewer at best!...) Also, while I am asking a great sewer a question, how do you get the tension right on your machine? I always have loopies on the back!!!

Thanks for your time!

[Katherine]

I like Ezra's perspective. Why does it have to matter how many skirts you have? You obviously love making them and doubtless will pass along any that you no longer have a place for. So go ahead, enjoy your Spring ritual of skirt making. I look forward to seeing what you will make.

[SOULEMAMA]

about skirt patterns - I usually trace a skirt I already have and know fits to make a new one. Or wing it to create something new that I want.

But there are some great patterns out there too! The Built By Wendy skirt pattern (in Sew U) is a great skirt pattern - and it gives such fantastic directions, you can't go wrong, even as a beginner.

Happy Spring Skirt making! ;)

[Missfaf]

SUPERBE!!..."in French"...Lovely summer skirts!!...

[Missfaf]

SUPERBE!!..."in French"...Lovely summer skirts!!...

[Mary-Ellen]

You should do a picutre of you in a new skirt for a full month.

[Toni]

I love little Ez's wisdom, and I also love that funnel in the hat box!

Seems that you and me are caught up in skirty love right now :)

[Elena]

Qute skirts, I wish I could sew something like that! I about to start sewing on my husbands seing machine and we just have to see how that works out. Frist project will probably be angrychicken's ragdoll, a pattern I'm so glad I managed get hold of as a single mailorder issue.

[colleen]

Oh, I can't wait to see what you do with the skirts! anthropologie is such a wonderful source of inspiration!

[brandie]

38 skirts?? are you kidding me?
i totally love ezra's rationalization, a skirt loving mama needs a boy like that in her life. can't wait to see your new skirts. mostly, i just can't wait for skirt season to begin.

[Lily]

i can't get over how cute your little guy is! thanks for that post brightened up my day!

[Kate C.]

My daughter's favorite "hats" this week are all her winter turtlenecks! She won't let me put them away, since they are clearly spring hats.

So pleased to see the skirt I found for you at my local recycling center (I mean, boutique) peaking out from your stack.

I'm inspired to make a skirt out of some silly fabric that was going to be an apron. Now off to search the pattern box...

[Laura]

What a great challenge, and I love your choices for inspiration. Given all the roles that your children play, I'm sort of surprised that their hat total was only 42.....maybe they need a couple more...which would cause you to need more skirts to be fair of course...

[Bindi]

I'm with you, Soulemama. I LOVE skirt weather. The guys just don't know what they are missing. I've started my Spring skirt making, too, and have made two so far. One of my pattern faves is McCall's M4717. It makes a skirt with godets, fitted at the top and flared at the bottom. It looks complicated but it ain't. I just made one with blue striped ticking fabric, with the godets cut vertically. I sewed vintage buttons at the top of each one and it's too cute! Can't wait to see what you come up with. Happy skirt sewing (and wearing. . .)

[Anna]

I wanna see a fashion show.
Skirts.
And Hats.

[mary]

Unless they are buried on the bottom there seems to be a lack of great vintage tea party hats in that box. I think you may get to make more than 4 skirts.

[Tara]

This blog entry just made my day! To me, it says a lot about you, your son and the relationship you both share. Good motivation for me in some small way. Thank you.

[Marcy]

Ah, this is a no-fail philosophy! Make sure you add to the hat collection occasionally, and you'll always have a reason to make new skirts. Everybody wins!

[Max]

Not that you need justification to make skirts, Amanda, but a couple commenters have talked about 'need', so I want to say: I'm so glad there are people besides me and my sister out there saving beautiful fabrics from the landfill, even if they don't 'need' one more skirt! Where I thrift, the clothes are sold by the pound, and it's their last stop before the dump. Sometimes you just have to prevent that tragedy :)

[Jen]

Ooh, could you send Ezra to my house? I like the way he thinks! And while 38--or 42--skirts does sound like a lot, it definitely makes a difference that they're nearly all thrifted or handmade. It's not like you're trying to justify dropping another $500 on four new skirts. Make as many as you want!

[Veronica TM]

what a smart ezra you have! happy sewing, amanda!

[robin]

Oooo!! Ooooo!! I've seen the luscious skirt on the left before- it STILL makes me drool!! I'm with Ez- too many skirts are never enough!!<3

[Ellie]

38 wonderful handmade and thrifted skirts seems like so much less than even 10 expensive shop-bought skirts. If you feel really "bad" about having more skirts than you can wear in a month, then I'm sure your local thrifters would love to pick them up from your nearby second-hand shop! The ultimate in recycling I guess. But, if you use them all - then its not excessive. You could turn some of the fabric into something else - maybe a bag, you probably don't have 42 of them, hey!!
(Maybe we shouldn't have too much stuff or be too attached... We learnt that last night (well, were reminded), when someone stole my husband's "pride-and-joy car".)
About the skirts, I've just had a baby (almost 8weeks ago) and still am having to squeeze into the 5 skirts that I own!! Maybe I should learn how to sew zips and waist bands and start my own skirt collection!!

[Iona]

Can I borrow Ezra? I've some stuff to justify (huge amounts of fabric, yarns etc) and it sounds like Ezra would be very, very helpful!

[Mae]

I can't believe you have 38 skirts! That is just wild. But they appear to take up very little room. Now don't make all four skirts too quickly because you don't get any more. Unless you get them more hats.

[Kelly]

Much luck on your Spring Spree, of skirt making! Sounds fun! I just bought an absolutely divine, wrap around skirt at the thrift shop...I just love wrap arounds...love the hat box...ours is about the same, except over flowing with too many vintage , women's hats, as I tend to have a weakness for them...many more hats, than skirts in this house...

[Jess H.]

That's so funny that you should mention Wendy's book. After I posted the comment, I remembered I had gotten the book from the library and that it had the pattern in it! I just checked now to see you comments and had to laugh. Have a great day Amanda!

[Mary Conner]

Funny... I'm having the same skirt obsession that everyone else seems to have. Must be Spring (or the hope of it, for some) Check out "Sew What! Skirts" it's a great book for making skirts.

[MiraclesHappen]

Love...love...love your son's logic! Now, I was just counting the skirts on my skirt hanger the other day and I think there's something like 15. My problem is that none of those are homemade! I am just learning the art of sewing and crochet, so perhaps I will soon have a skirt to show off. Anthropology has some of the cutest stuff - between your skirts and the clothes Emily shows off, I just wanna meet their designers!