Miss K's Jean Skirt--Ninth Finish 3rd Quarter 2018 Finish-A-Long

Dirt stain

I couldn't stitch a jean like skirt for Miss J and not stitch one for Miss K! Originally, I planned to only stitch Miss K a gingham skirt with lots of ruffles or lots of swing. Miss K and I did stitch one of those. I had enough leftover fabric to stitch a gingham skirt for Miss J. That gingham fabric is a project for another day! Hey, a girl can't have too many skirts, can she?

Laundering the fabric

I saw this remnant of cotton duck on the opening day of the Hobby Lobby store in Clackamas, Oregon. I haven't seen printed cotton duck so that caught my eye. I originally thought this fabric was destined for a back pack; but, the half yard wasn't enough. I decided it would make a good skirt.

I unwrapped the fabric and was immediately disappointed because there were stains all over it. To be fair, the fabric package was marked "dirt stains" which I had read as "duck stain pattern." Of course, duck stain pattern doesn't make any sense!

Remaining scraps

At any rate, I sprayed a product on the dirt spots to loosen them. Then, I used Dawn dish detergent. Both products seemed to lift the stain. Then I laundered the piece. It all came out! Whew! Then again had the stains not come out, I wasn't out a load of cash--the fabric cost $3.47!

I did miss the sizing that was in the fabric originally; but, I sprayed the fabric with some of Mary Ellen's Best Press before ironing it. The Best Press worked great!

After cutting the pieces of the skirt out of the fabric, I had a small amount of scraps left. One piece is about 10 inches by four inches and one piece is about 16 inches by three inches. I'd say I got the most out of that half yard!

As I worked through the steps of the pattern, I had one of those times where I stitched almost every step incorrectly! After plenty of practice with the seam ripper, I did complete the front and the back of the skirt.

I inserted a piece of elastic and after I stretched it into place, the elastic lost its ability to snap back. So I ripped that piece and replaced it with a better quality elastic.

Finished back of skirt

The following session, I stitched the side seams, and the hem. I added the belt loops, a button and a buttonhole. The button came from my grandmother's button box! I like being able to add a touch of her to project any time I can. She taught me to sewing, cooking, gardening, preserving over the years. I had a finish!!! I used half a yard of fabric. I have now used 26 1/8 yards of fabric from my stash and have 22 7/8 yards left to meet my goal of using 50 yards of fabric from my stash this year. This was goal number three on my third quarter Finish-A-Long list. It is my ninth finish for the quarter!

The question is whether I can keep this skirt undercover until Miss K's birthday next May. Honestly, I rather doubt it!!!!

Finished front of skirt