Millefiori summer-skirt

Last summer I decided I need more summer skirts and dresses. Shopped. Bought. And then there wasn't much of a summer and hence not much motivation. I finished the skirt this year. It's made from just 1 metre of black cotton with a white millefiori-print.

Tear off two pieces that are approximately knee-length plus some allowance for the hem and join them into a tube at the short sides, leaving one side about 10 cm open for the zipper. Hem one of the long sides and pleat or draw the other side to fit your waist. Cut a strip of the remaining fabric, fold it lengthwise and iron some fusing web on one side. Sew the pleated skirt to this side of the strip (right on right),  sew the other edge to the inside of the skirt and iron the waistband flat. Insert a zipper and, if you like, a hook and eye for extra security - and voilá, there's your new summer skirt! :)

 And because it was done so quickly and I found such a lovely piece of fabric which I couldn't resist - yet another skirt of exactly the same making with an extra-cute pattern of little hearts.

Summer dress with flowers

I sometimes also sew clothes for everyday use. You can tell by the amount of real-life clothes I posted here that I clearly have a penchant for costumes, though... ;) The fabric I found is machine-embroidered in a large, floral pattern, black and white. The fabric itself is rather sheer, so I have to line all parts with white lining silk.

The complete design was done by me, and it's quite simple: the skirt is a half-length of fabric, worked with french seam at the back and hemmed by hand. 

The body part is modelled on the dummy, but basically it's a piece that goes round once, to which the neckholderbust-piece is attached. A little fumbling with the zipper, as always, but I opted for one instead of the buttons I wanted as closure in the first place because it can hold the strain of a tight fit better than buttons.

Red summer dress, again with flowers

 The quick and easy way this time - a Burda-pattern. The fabric is light rayon, printed with a floral, summer-y motive almost too romantic for me. But hey, it's summer, after all! (Well, this year's summer was a Wednesday. The rest was autumn that immediately followed a prolongued spring. Guess the dress is for next year.)

It's a seven-part pattern that's made special by its very low cut back and the lacing. The length depends on your taste.