Charm Skirt: Day 5

Yes, We are finally sewing again! I want to apologize for leaving you in the middle of a sew-a-long. My break was good and it was much-needed. Now, I’m returning refreshed and ready for action.

Let’s review where we’ve been:

Day 1

 
Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

 Day 5

Today, we are going to join our basque pieces and our ruffle pieces.  Then, we are going to finish the bottom edge of the ruffle.

First, take your two basque (waistband) pieces.  Place them right sides together.  I serged them together, but if you have a regular sewing machine, stitch then zig zag over the edges.  Do this to both sides.  You should have a completed ring.

Next, find the top side of the waistband and finish the edge.  I serged around the circle.  If you have a regular machine, simple zig zag around the outer edge.  Make sure that your side seams are pressed toward the back of the waistband.

Here’s what you should have:

  

Here is a close up of one of the edges and the upper edge of the waistband.

Take all of your ruffle pieces and put them in one spot.  Take two of the pieces and match short edges.  Sew these together.  I serged them together.  Keep doing this until your ruffle pieces make a ring.  Make sure all of the edges are finished by either serging or zig zag stitching.

Press them all in the same direction.

Now, it is time to finish the bottom edge of your ruffle.  Locate what you wish to be the bottom edge.  If you have a serger, I suggest doing a rolled hem.  If you only have a regular sewing machine, you may: a)  zig zag around the entire bottom of the ruffle and turn up once, press in place and stitch  or b) You may turn up the raw edge twice and press in place and stitch.  The amount you want to turn up is really your choice.  I would probably turn them up about a 1/4″ to a 1/2″ each time.

Here is a looked at my finished rolled edge:

Now, you are ready to complete our next step.  Day 6 will probably come next week.  This will give all of the newcomers time to catch up.  Here’s a look at my ruffle at this stage of the sew-a-long.  It is hard to get a picture of the entire thing laid out

Remember, if you have any questions…please leave them in the comments section.  I’ll get back to you with the answers.  Happy Sewing!  It is good to be back crafting with all of you again!