I remember back in the late 80’s early 90’s broomstick skirts were a thing. My friend’s mom told me how to make them. There were three tiers and each tier was 12 inches long. The first tier was two widths of the fabric, the second tier was 4 widths and the bottom tier was 6 widths. I didn’t want my skirts to be so heavy so I made mine out of gauze. You would starch them and dry them and then just lightly mist them with water scrunch them lengthwise so they were kind of like pleats then put a stocking over them to hold them in place and let them dry. When you took them out they were kind of these crinkled pleats. The skirts were VERY full and lovely to wear in the summer. I kept mine in the stocking when not wearing to preserve the pleats.
I’ve been sewing since I was five years old (we don’t need to talk about how many decades ago that was 😊 ) and I learn something from you every. single. time. Your students are so lucky to have you and sew are we ❤
Loved watching you draft the bodice and making it all look so easy. At grand motherly age without grandchildren to pass sewing skills to, i am so glad you are passing the joy of sewing to younger generations. Keep up the terrific teaching.
Of course depending on where you live, there might be a community of homeschoolers or young people who would love to learn how to sew. If you've got the skills there are people who want to learn.
In the olden days, we were taught to sew parallel rows of gathers and sew together in between the gathers thus holding the gathers evenly. Then w had to pull out the row of gathers ending up on the right side. More work but easier in the long run
Not to be a bit sad, but I did something like this from my daddy’s shirts when I lost him a few years back. It makes me smile every time I pull it to wear. :) Keep thinking outside the box, they are wonderful ideas!
The reason shirts lap differently is that traditionally, women had dressers so right over left was easier for the person who was helping you dress . Men dressed themselves so it was easier for them to have the he placket reversed
Thank you for showing and explaining that understitching so well. I have seen it 1 million times and could not understand until you showed me. Much appreciated.
Wow we must have telepathic minds! My husband just got rid of a few good quality but no longer needed shirts and I’ve been wanting to make a broom skirt out of them! This tutorial is unbelievably well timed! Bless you! You’ve given me the courage to sew so many things I never would have tried! Im just a self thought home sewer and this year I’ve helped my nieces fix clothes, did a few upcycles for myself and more. So happy to have found your channel! ThankYou thank you thank you!!!
Just found your channel. LOVE how you explained everything as you went along. Been sewing for 60 years and truly learned new things because of you! TY!!
I am not normally a fan of tiered skirts. I think I had my fill of them in the 70s and early 80s. But, these are so cute and comfy looking, I may have to try them! I love your videos, I learn so much, and it feels like I am hanging out with a friend!
You may have started a shortage in pillow cases. I had never thought of making a dress out of pillow cases. That dress is perfect for this summer. I like the skirt also. Both of them are beautiful on you.
you're the reason why i'm "self thought" ... not really self , if I think of a sewing teacher, I think of you ! and upcycling is the reason why I started:) the only difficulties are language and inches ... i'm so relieved when you use mm ^^'
Watched your video during a workout, then went to a charity shop. Found several men’s shirts on sale half price! All notable designers who use premium grade fabrics. So for under $10.00 I’ll have a new summer staple. Plus, I read in the WSJ, about the white maxi skirt is the “it” skirt this summer. It is very similar to your tutorial inspiration. Brava!
After watching you make the flannel tiered skirt, I made one out of men's dress shirts and kept the placket and skipped the jeans, just like you did on this video. I also used xxl and xxxxl shirts to have lots of fabric. All of mine had patch pockets which I very carefully removed and relocated onto the top tier like the ones you made. I even put ones on the back but used the matching fabric pockets on that layer to be a little more discreet. The front ones matched the lower tiers. I absolutely love my skirt and love yours, too! "Great minds..." and all that. Thanks for all the inspirations. You're the bomb :)
Genius! I going to make use of my husband’s old Hawaiian shirts for a skirt (or a dress if there’s enough fabric). Will start looking in the bedding section of the local thrift store for fabric too.
I agree the dress is great! I actually love all the patterns you’ve used in it. The idea for the skirt was a good one, and it looks okay, but I think you might be onto something with the modifications of the widths of the tiers next time. Thanks for sharing precisely how you did both projects. Very clever & helpful. 🎉
Your commentary is invaluable with your reasons why a step is desirable. I'm old enough to remember sewing from a sheet with just written instructions and thinking "Why do that? Ima skip that" You only do THAT once or twice!! After that I pulled out the instructions to see how long they were, i.e., I never did sew that sexy little fitted blazer lol
I wish I had thrift stores like yours, You were spot on, with your video about thrifting and repurposing clothing that other people have chosen to give away. I am all for being creative, which you are very creative, and save the environment at the same time. Keep doing what you do, and maybe some other sewists, will do the same. Love your videos.
Thank you, Catherine. Just so happens hubby just retired and I have all his work shirts…….they are monogrammed or I would have donated them, no prints, pretty much all solids, but I can work with that. And I like your showing us how *you* do things, so,times you might not mention it even, but like how you marked your dart for example. Hadn’t seen that, but looks faster than I’ve been doing it. More efficient sort of things. Thanks again.
A thought: if you are using his old work shirts to make summer dressess or skirts and the solid colors are not working for you, you could embellish them with bleach and or tie dye...patches and or appliques.😊
I'm really enjoying your videos this year. You're an excellent teacher and your voice is easy to listen to. I love to upcycle and your's are realistic and wearable!
Thank you for putting up an alternative to that jean/plaid shirts version. I remember commenting on that video how expensive plaid shirts were at the thrift store.
Can’t wait to make these for my grand daughters! Great ideas. I love your tutorials. You are so knowledgeable with tricks of the trades. Thank you for sharing.
Pillow case are such a good fabric source and are highly underrated. I have a couple waiting to be sew on my stach that are beautiful cost me peanuts and are 100% cotton. Another great upcycle by the way! I always watch your video with a lot of pleasure, because I'm sure that I will learn something useful ans the result will be amazing!
Amazing tips and tricks as always. I love the way you showed us how to draft that bodice. I have put this video in my 'want to sew' file and will have to go shopping at goodwill soon or go thru my fabric stash and see what I can find! thank you again for another helpful presentation! LOVE both items you look great in them both!
After watching your first one with the cut off jeans I was dying to make one. Then I thought I'd make a summery one first. This came at just the right time. I have the three mens shirts and can start right away! Woohoo! Love your videos!
Hey Catherine, What a great idea to use a pair of Jeans as the yoke for a skirt! I'm going back into my already assembled pile of Jean donations, to take back those white jeans!
I am SO happy for thie video, because I have been wanting to make a cotton slip for FOREVER but I couldn't find the perfect pattern that will fit me. If I draft the bodice like you showed us it will be perfect and I can make the skirt without the tiers. Thank you SO MUCH!!
Really cute dress, and the skirt is great too! I wouldn't have thought to keep the button plackets! Thanks for sharing your methods. I don't have a server so I have to do gathers the long way, but I love them so for me it's worth the effort 😊
Love the video Catherine! I picked up a round tablecloth with a ruffle at the thrift store. I cut it in half and yesterday made a skirt. No zipper foot so I put the zipper in by hand, which I've never done, but so glad I now know how. It's not any more work than hand hemming. Now I must figure out a top for the other half. I want to utilize the ruffles but am unsure and I've never drafted my own top. I'm going to try though. Would love to see what you could do with a round tablecloth. Big Hugs
Loved this video. I'm often watching after kids are in bed and you accompanied me both finishing off the dishes from dinner, preparing the sourdough for tomorrow and starting with a pair of pants for my miss 3. Thank you. And both the dress and skirt turned out lovely. Serger on the wish-list! And my husbands shirts need to watch it. I'm coming for ya! 😊 Thank you again!
Really great projects. Those pillow cases have really cute fabric. I was looking at sheets at Goodwill and I only found one set that was 100% cotton and it didn't have any pillow cases. The price was good, $6 for the set. I haven't been thrifting much because I have a huge fabric stash but I have noticed that the pricing is bonkers. My favorite thrift stores have always been local stores that support charities like animal rescue or hospices.
Just a thought Catherine, you dont need to take it on board if you disagree. I personally think that long form videos, especially over 1 hour, are off-putting. Yours are the only long videos i will watch because you make great use of every minute. I believe long videos are off-putting to new viewers. I think you would be better off releasing a 2 part mini series, but i have no idea how algorithms, etc, work. You might be better served to ask someone more knowledgeable. I did enjoy your video, but i want you to get the best benefit from the YT platform. Now, im off to raid my stash of my husbands old shirts.😊
I've found that a lot our thrift shops lately have had such inflated prices. I mentioned it to the cashier when I found one must have item and told her that I would have bought more but the prices are unreasonable. She said everything has gone up lately and I countered with "yes, but these are DONATED items you got for free!"
I'm so lucky, we have 3 local charity shops that sell everything for £1 an item. I've bought loads of shirts, jeans, duvet covers and curtains to recycle. Sometimes I buy an item just for the buttons or zips.
Q: Why do you use 1/4" seam allow on the bodice and 1/2" on the rest? Love the pillow case sun dress. I've been sewing for ages and still learn something new in each of your episodes. 😀
I remember back in the late 80’s early 90’s broomstick skirts were a thing. My friend’s mom told me how to make them. There were three tiers and each tier was 12 inches long. The first tier was two widths of the fabric, the second tier was 4 widths and the bottom tier was 6 widths. I didn’t want my skirts to be so heavy so I made mine out of gauze. You would starch them and dry them and then just lightly mist them with water scrunch them lengthwise so they were kind of like pleats then put a stocking over them to hold them in place and let them dry. When you took them out they were kind of these crinkled pleats. The skirts were VERY full and lovely to wear in the summer. I kept mine in the stocking when not wearing to preserve the pleats.
I remember these skirts..did not know how to make. Cool idea for hot days
Catherine you sew as if your sewing machine is a serger, it makes me laugh😅
An adorable skirt!
I’ve been sewing since I was five years old (we don’t need to talk about how many decades ago that was 😊 ) and I learn something from you every. single. time. Your students are so lucky to have you and sew are we ❤
Loved watching you draft the bodice and making it all look so easy. At grand motherly age without grandchildren to pass sewing skills to, i am so glad you are passing the joy of sewing to younger generations. Keep up the terrific teaching.
Of course depending on where you live, there might be a community of homeschoolers or young people who would love to learn how to sew. If you've got the skills there are people who want to learn.
I love this look. Warning: be sure to check the shirts for perspiration stains before you use the sleeve. Ask me how I know!
For us big busted gals, we need to take into account that the bust measurement is not divided evenly between the front and back.
Such a good point and one I must remember for next time! Thanks for the reminder.
I agree. I’m a DD to DDD. As a result it’s very difficult for me to sew blouses that will fit my bust. 😢
In the olden days, we were taught to sew parallel rows of gathers and sew together in between the gathers thus holding the gathers evenly. Then w had to pull out the row of gathers ending up on the right side. More work but easier in the long run
Not to be a bit sad, but I did something like this from my daddy’s shirts when I lost him a few years back. It makes me smile every time I pull it to wear. :) Keep thinking outside the box, they are wonderful ideas!
What a wonderful way to connect with your dad. I love that. 🥰
As a quilter who’s made several memory quilts for families, I love this idea!
I love your tutorials. As a long time sewer, I’m amazed how much I still learn from you. You are a great teacher!
Even though I know how to sew, I have learned a lot of little tricks that you show us I do enjoy listening to you
Agree. That serger tail trick at beginning and end is pure magic😊
The reason shirts lap differently is that traditionally, women had dressers so right over left was easier for the person who was helping you dress . Men dressed themselves so it was easier for them to have the he placket reversed
Thank you for showing and explaining that understitching so well. I have seen it 1 million times and could not understand until you showed me. Much appreciated.
I love how you integrated the existing button and plackets into the skirt!
Wow we must have telepathic minds! My husband just got rid of a few good quality but no longer needed shirts and I’ve been wanting to make a broom skirt out of them! This tutorial is unbelievably well timed! Bless you! You’ve given me the courage to sew so many things I never would have tried! Im just a self thought home sewer and this year I’ve helped my nieces fix clothes, did a few upcycles for myself and more. So happy to have found your channel! ThankYou thank you thank you!!!
Love that you include how you figure out your measurements. Great videos !
I loooove the longer videos! I watched this one before work and I'm going to watch it again after work 😊
You make the best videos. Love that you take the time to show all the details.
Just found your channel. LOVE how you explained everything as you went along. Been sewing for 60 years and truly learned new things because of you! TY!!
I am not normally a fan of tiered skirts. I think I had my fill of them in the 70s and early 80s. But, these are so cute and comfy looking, I may have to try them! I love your videos, I learn so much, and it feels like I am hanging out with a friend!
You may have started a shortage in pillow cases. I had never thought of making a dress out of pillow cases. That dress is perfect for this summer. I like the skirt also. Both of them are beautiful on you.
Haha, thank you! I did wonder if I just got lucky when I found 4 colourful pillow cases in one go. I hope other people have the same luck!
That dress look so cute. Can’t beat $3
For every upcycle you do, the more I get inspired. Thanks for this great tutorial
Thanks for showing us the drafting of the bodice. Your explation for the garment construction was clear. I have learned a lot in this video.
you're the reason why i'm "self thought" ... not really self , if I think of a sewing teacher, I think of you ! and upcycling is the reason why I started:) the only difficulties are language and inches ... i'm so relieved when you use mm ^^'
Watched your video during a workout, then went to a charity shop. Found several men’s shirts on sale half price! All notable designers who use premium grade fabrics. So for under $10.00 I’ll have a new summer staple. Plus, I read in the WSJ, about the white maxi skirt is the “it” skirt this summer. It is very similar to your tutorial inspiration. Brava!
After watching you make the flannel tiered skirt, I made one out of men's dress shirts and kept the placket and skipped the jeans, just like you did on this video. I also used xxl and xxxxl shirts to have lots of fabric. All of mine had patch pockets which I very carefully removed and relocated onto the top tier like the ones you made. I even put ones on the back but used the matching fabric pockets on that layer to be a little more discreet. The front ones matched the lower tiers. I absolutely love my skirt and love yours, too! "Great minds..." and all that. Thanks for all the inspirations. You're the bomb :)
I love your upcycling. I enjoy hearing you talk through your process. You are an inspiration to me. Thank you!
Genius! I going to make use of my husband’s old Hawaiian shirts for a skirt (or a dress if there’s enough fabric). Will start looking in the bedding section of the local thrift store for fabric too.
Oh, Hawaiian shirts would be great for the dress or the skirt! So cute!
I agree the dress is great! I actually love all the patterns you’ve used in it. The idea for the skirt was a good one, and it looks okay, but I think you might be onto something with the modifications of the widths of the tiers next time. Thanks for sharing precisely how you did both projects. Very clever & helpful. 🎉
I agree. I ended up feeling that the dress was much more "me" than the skirt was.
Your commentary is invaluable with your reasons why a step is desirable. I'm old enough to remember sewing from a sheet with just written instructions and thinking "Why do that? Ima skip that" You only do THAT once or twice!! After that I pulled out the instructions to see how long they were, i.e., I never did sew that sexy little fitted blazer lol
I love people who explain the thinking process. I've always believed in teaching WHY to do something
Wow,!!! Pretty and professional.......again😊
I wish I had thrift stores like yours, You were spot on, with your video about thrifting and repurposing clothing that other people have chosen to give away. I am all for being creative, which you are very creative, and save the environment at the same time. Keep doing what you do, and maybe some other sewists, will do the same. Love your videos.
Your skirt and sundress are very cute! Thanks for a great step by step tutorial.
You are a genius, Catherine !!! The tricks you come up with are incredible. Can't buy experience !!! ❤🙏
Thank you, Catherine. Just so happens hubby just retired and I have all his work shirts…….they are monogrammed or I would have donated them, no prints, pretty much all solids, but I can work with that. And I like your showing us how *you* do things, so,times you might not mention it even, but like how you marked your dart for example. Hadn’t seen that, but looks faster than I’ve been doing it. More efficient sort of things. Thanks again.
A thought: if you are using his old work shirts to make summer dressess or skirts and the solid colors are not working for you, you could embellish them with bleach and or tie dye...patches and or appliques.😊
Very pretty summer frocks.
I absolutely love how you constructed your tiered skirt. I already have the men's shirts, so I'll be making a skirt very soon. Thank you soo much. 😘
I'm really enjoying your videos this year. You're an excellent teacher and your voice is easy to listen to. I love to upcycle and your's are realistic and wearable!
Thank you for putting up an alternative to that jean/plaid shirts version. I remember commenting on that video how expensive plaid shirts were at the thrift store.
You were totally right!
Can’t wait to make these for my grand daughters! Great ideas. I love your tutorials. You are so knowledgeable with tricks of the trades. Thank you for sharing.
Pillow case are such a good fabric source and are highly underrated. I have a couple waiting to be sew on my stach that are beautiful cost me peanuts and are 100% cotton.
Another great upcycle by the way! I always watch your video with a lot of pleasure, because I'm sure that I will learn something useful ans the result will be amazing!
Amazing tips and tricks as always. I love the way you showed us how to draft that bodice. I have put this video in my 'want to sew' file and will have to go shopping at goodwill soon or go thru my fabric stash and see what I can find! thank you again for another helpful presentation! LOVE both items you look great in them both!
After watching your first one with the cut off jeans I was dying to make one. Then I thought I'd make a summery one first. This came at just the right time. I have the three mens shirts and can start right away! Woohoo! Love your videos!
Thank you for taking us along with your thought process to being it to reality!
WOW!!! Great video. I usually watch your videos numerous times. Your pillow case dress is soo pretty❤. Can't thank you enough. 😊
Love the dress!! I’m def going to make one with and old bed sheet I have laying around.
Perfect!
Catherine, you’re amazing!!
Those are both darling! Great instructions! Thanks!😊
Hey Catherine, What a great idea to use a pair of Jeans as the yoke for a skirt! I'm going back into my
already assembled pile of Jean donations, to take back those white jeans!
@@momzilla9491 yes! I think I might have to do that too!
You have such great ideas. Very inspirational. Thank you😊
Dress came out beautiful! 👍💕
You are a genius !!! Thank you !!! ❤ 🙏
So educational and interesting watching your process.
Thanks for taking the time to show us. Very inspiring and I’d like to try to do this myself.
that dress is SO CUTE!!!
Catherine you are amazing! And so is your little serger, and you don't even use a gathering foot, yea I am still learning.
Love both of these dresses. You are awesome.
Great video! I love the longer videos that show so many techniques.
You can use bedsheets as well. After all pillowcases are made to match bedsheets.
What great ideas! I really enjoy your videos, Thank you for sharing!🪡🧵
I am SO happy for thie video, because I have been wanting to make a cotton slip for FOREVER but I couldn't find the perfect pattern that will fit me. If I draft the bodice like you showed us it will be perfect and I can make the skirt without the tiers. Thank you SO MUCH!!
I always use my test pattern as a lining once it’s perfected. Or save it to use as a pattern in the future.
Love both garments, thanks for sharing. X x x
Really cute dress, and the skirt is great too! I wouldn't have thought to keep the button plackets! Thanks for sharing your methods. I don't have a server so I have to do gathers the long way, but I love them so for me it's worth the effort 😊
Love the video Catherine! I picked up a round tablecloth with a ruffle at the thrift store. I cut it in half and yesterday made a skirt. No zipper foot so I put the zipper in by hand, which I've never done, but so glad I now know how. It's not any more work than hand hemming. Now I must figure out a top for the other half. I want to utilize the ruffles but am unsure and I've never drafted my own top. I'm going to try though. Would love to see what you could do with a round tablecloth. Big Hugs
Loved this video. I'm often watching after kids are in bed and you accompanied me both finishing off the dishes from dinner, preparing the sourdough for tomorrow and starting with a pair of pants for my miss 3. Thank you. And both the dress and skirt turned out lovely. Serger on the wish-list! And my husbands shirts need to watch it. I'm coming for ya! 😊 Thank you again!
I love the thought of accompanying you through all of your tasks! I hope you get your serger; your husband's shirts won't stand a chance then!
I am glad I learned how to serge, love this piece! Turned out fabu!
What an amazing tutorial !! Thank you
Long video is good. Very pretty results.
Great video. Thanks for sharing
Really great projects. Those pillow cases have really cute fabric. I was looking at sheets at Goodwill and I only found one set that was 100% cotton and it didn't have any pillow cases. The price was good, $6 for the set.
I haven't been thrifting much because I have a huge fabric stash but I have noticed that the pricing is bonkers. My favorite thrift stores have always been local stores that support charities like animal rescue or hospices.
Brilliant, I love the use of the shirts its fab you make it look so east, top great all in all a fab outfit for the summer
Seriously enjoying your videos!! Thank you for sharing your talent!! ❤❤
Thank you Catherine. Another great video.
You’re so talented & make this look easy. Thanks for sharing! 🤗🇨🇦
Very nice looking dress. Love it.
No one will know its a pillow case unless you tell them ❤😊
Thanks!
Thanks so much for the super thanks! 🥰
Cute skirts n dress.
As always super easy to follow and cute makes. Thank you.
Just a thought Catherine, you dont need to take it on board if you disagree. I personally think that long form videos, especially over 1 hour, are off-putting. Yours are the only long videos i will watch because you make great use of every minute. I believe long videos are off-putting to new viewers. I think you would be better off releasing a 2 part mini series, but i have no idea how algorithms, etc, work. You might be better served to ask someone more knowledgeable. I did enjoy your video, but i want you to get the best benefit from the YT platform.
Now, im off to raid my stash of my husbands old shirts.😊
They’re both fabulous!
$15/ shirt used is ridiculous pricing.
I've found that a lot our thrift shops lately have had such inflated prices. I mentioned it to the cashier when I found one must have item and told her that I would have bought more but the prices are unreasonable. She said everything has gone up lately and I countered with "yes, but these are DONATED items you got for free!"
That's value village for you!
I'm so lucky, we have 3 local charity shops that sell everything for £1 an item. I've bought loads of shirts, jeans, duvet covers and curtains to recycle. Sometimes I buy an item just for the buttons or zips.
She didn’t say those were used
@@mellibee100 and they have higher electric bills, higher rent, higher everything for their overhead
Both are fabulous makes thank you so much!
Both are so pretty!
Very very nice.
So gorgeous!
Love them both ... you awesome ❤
Pretty!
Way to go!!!
So beautiful ❤
Fantastic!❤
So cute!!
Q: Why do you use 1/4" seam allow on the bodice and 1/2" on the rest? Love the pillow case sun dress. I've been sewing for ages and still learn something new in each of your episodes. 😀
Great question! I use 1/4” seam allowance on curved seams where a 1/2” would pull and bind unless you trim and clip. It saves you the trimming.
@@CatherineSews That makes sense. Thanks for the reply.
This is so good!
The shirt you have on is cute.
I love tiered skirts, but I don't wear strappy dresses or tops. Do you think I could make a short sleeve tiered dress with pillowcases?
Sure! That would be really cute!
Love the pocket detail. But how are you going to fit your phone in them? lol 😂
Goodwill color price of the week on Sunday is only 99cents. You can get a bunch of men shirts for these projects.
I think I would have top stitched the bodice after understitching it.