I am over-the-moon excited to be a part of the Cleo Skirt Summer Showcase today. This simple skirt pattern from Made by Rae is certainly worthy of its own horn-tooting parade. So much so, I had to make two skirts.
The first is a swishy, fire-engine red floral rayon from the Rifle Paper and Cotton + Steel collaboration in view b. The second version is in a Loominious woven print from Anna Maria Horner in view a. Both are pretty fabulous but with such different personalities. It’s a bit of a study in fabric behavior.
Listen, I want to talk about my Cleo skirts. I do. But before I get into that, I have to wave some kermit arms of enthusiasm. See, I’m the type of person who is only vaguely aware of celebrities. Don’t get me wrong, I watch TV and love (albeit mostly indy) movies but when I pick up a People magazine at the doctor’s office I usually think to myself “who are these people? Is that a Kardashian?”. When I see a celebrity on the street, as happens on the occasional trip into NYC, I usually just stare and try to remember where I know them from. High school? No. Did I take a Mommy and Me class with them? Hmm..who knows?
The real celebrities in my life are fabric and pattern designers. No doubt. My celebrities are the people in the sewing world that have been around since the beginning and have been rocking it ever since. I stumble over my words in front of Christine Haynes and Amy Butler , (both of whom I have met and both were lovely and gracious about my awkwardness). Rae falls solidly in my celebrity category. She designs gorgeous fabric, makes fantastic patterns; is funny and quirky and immensely talented. Swoon! So, when she messaged me I did a double take, looked for a fainting couch and then out came the kermit arms. Wahoo!!Of course, the Cleo Skirt is fantastic and is infused with all that awesome Rae-ness. My red rayon version is fabulous and eye-stopping. It has side seam pockets and I shortened it to just above the knee.
The number one thing I love about Made by Rae patterns is they are designed with good fit in mind. The Washi dress, which I consider a garment sewing standard, has an elasticized back bodice so the front fits perfectly tight without being uncomfortable or needing a zipper. Genius! The Cleo skirt is designed with the same ideas in mind. It’s adorable and fits well because the back waistband is elastic. It means it’s cute, comfortable and fits well on a variety of bodies. Boom!
I don’t often wear skirts with a lot of volume at the waist nor do I usually tuck in my shirts, which is why I tried this skirt in rayon. I was curious if the weight of the fabric and the heavy drape would give it a slimmer look. I would call it a success. On top of that, I love how it moves.
For my second skirt, in Loominous, I made it in view A with a contrasting band at the hem. View A also has open pockets at the waistband, which are easier to access and better for mom wear in my opinion. There is a bit more volume to this skirt and I’m surprised at just how much I like that. It’s spring-y and cute but not fussy. I had one hell of a time matching stripes on this one! But, I really like how it looks with the stripes turned horizontal. I’ve been hanging onto this fabric for such a long time and I’m so glad I used it on this skirt. It’s so lovely and inventive and I love that it is yarn-dyed. I think this version is the perfect farmer’s market skirt. Don’t you agree?Be sure to check out the whole tour!There are loads of amazing Cleo skirts on parade for this summer showcase, like these and this one. Be sure to catch them all. I love catching a glimpse of how different sewists pull together totally different looks with the same pattern.
july 31
vicky / @sewvee / sewvee.blogspot.co.uk
erin / @hungiegungie / hungiegungie.com
natalie / @sewhungryhippie / hungryhippie sews
teri / @teridodds1 / fa sew la
august 1
tori / @thedoingthingsblog / thedoingthingsblog.com
lindsay / @lindsayinstitches
meredith / @thefooshe / oliviajanehandcrafted.com/blog
kate / @kate.english
august 2
melissa / @ahappystitch / ahappystitch.com
julie / @nursebean82 / nursebeansews.wordpress.com
lauren / @laurenddesign / laurendurrdesign.com
august 3
fleurine / @mariefleurine / sewmariefleur.com
bettina / @stahlarbeit / stahlarbeit.ch
allie / @indie_sew / indiesew.com/blog
darci / @darcialexis / darcisews.com
emily / @mycraftylittleself / mycraftylittleself.blogspot.com
august 4
whitney / @whitneydeal / whitney-deal.com/blog
sienna /@notaprimarycolor
amy nicole / @amynicolestudio / amynicolestudio.com
kim / @pitykitty
kten / @jinxandgunner / jinxandgunner.blogspot.com
Daniela D says
Oh my gosh, I don’t know which one I love more. Both are just fabulous!
Melissa Q. says
*blush* Aw, thanks lady!
Laura Boyd says
Stunning! Both the model and the skirts!
Melissa Q. says
Oh you! Ok. Fine. I’ll take the compliment.
replicatethendeviate says
These are lovely!!!
Melissa Q. says
Thank you so much!
erin says
I love both versions! So cute.
Melissa Q. says
Thank you!
greta says
i loved your blue skirt so much, I am trying to copy it for the sew along with Rae. I am seriously sick of trying to get the pockets match with the skirt. Is the way to match plaids to just cut each piece individually? Or with this fabric just do the best you can?
Melissa Q. says
Oh Greta. I feel your pain. I’m so glad you are inspired by my skirt but yes, the matching is torture. I definitely cut each piece individually but even that was tricky. I got it mostly right and was ok with a bit of imperfection! Hope that helps.
Meghann Halfmoon says
I love this post, Melissa! I love what you said about celebrities: I have the same feeling:) So, so cool that you were asked to join the blog tour!!! Rightfully so. You’re writing is always a good read. x
Melissa Q. says
Thank you friend!! xoxo