May Flowers

It's mid-May, and what better way to celebrate than by making a floral skirt?

This is Butterick 4461, View F, in an old Michael Miller quilting cotton.

Just like the envelope says, this was fast and easy. (Okay, I'm not fast, but the pattern itself is.)

There are 4 pattern pieces: front, back, and front and back facings. There are two darts in the front, two in the back, and a center back seam with a zipper. I used an invisible zipper. I'm not sure what the pattern called for because I didn't even use the instructions. It's really that easy to put together.

I could have made this even faster and easier by eliminating the center back seam and putting the zipper in the side seam. I decided to go ahead and sew it with the center back zip just because I'm trying to loose a few pounds and I thought it would be easy to take it in at both sides if the zipper was centered in the back. As it turns out, I probably won't bother. I like the skirt, but I don't love it. I feel like it kind of emphasizes my round belly.

I like all of the different ideas this pattern gives for applying the ribbon trim. ( I used 3/8" grosgrain.) But don't run out and buy this one if you already have a good A-line pattern. You could do the ribbon treatments on any skirt pattern.

To apply the ribbon, I used a fabric marker and a quilting ruler to draw the placement lines on the skirt fabric. Then I used Wash Away Wonder Tape to stick the ribbon down along the marking. I didn't have to pin or hand baste, I just took the skirt to the machine and stitched it down along the edges of the ribbon. It needs a good pressing, but I will wait until after I run it through the wash and all the WAWT comes out.

Here's a pic of me and Juno:

She likes my skirt.