Spoleto Ribbon Skirt Sew-a-Long

20 Jun Spoleto Ribbon Skirt Sew-a-Long

We all have our own favorite clothing stores. You know, the store that offers cute clothes which fit well and work for your lifestyle.

In my case it’s JMCL.Logo_-1024x245

These small retail stores selling their label of traditional silhouettes with a fresh twist are downright irresistible to me. I can justify buying any item in the store with the exception of one style;

 The Ribbon Skirts.

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JM Ribbon S         images 

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As cute as they are, spending $200 on these skirts struck me as frivolous, but that didn’t keep me from wanting one……… as well as examining the skirt in detail until eyebrows were raised.

Well, now I can make my own and so can you!

The talented Julie Starr was also inspired by the J McLaughlin Ribbon Skirt. She not only made a duplicate skirt but is also offering a Sew-A -Long on my blog.

I contacted Julie immediately after seeing her skirt on the Pattern Review Website and she graciously agreed to teach us how to sew this fun and unique skirt.

Three weekly lessons will be offered beginning on Monday July 8 and finishing Monday July 22.

Julie made her skirt in a blue/green colorwave.

“The Spoleto Skirt” Completed ribbon skirt

  from Julie……

“The subtle ombre effect of this skirt is achieved by 4 tonal shades in the same color family.  This may be difficult to find all at one store but I was able to find a nice variety of aqua and blue shades at Joann, Hobby Lobby and Hancock. Or you may prefer to use contrasting colors, or even one shade for the entire skirt.  For a young girl’s skirt, polka dot or other patterned ribbon would be adorable. It’s your project… personalize it as you like!”

 If you’d like to sew along  you’ll need the following supplies listed below:

 ___________________

1. Your favorite straight skirt pattern (Julie used McCalls 3830)

2. 1 yard good quality prewashed cotton fabric for your skirt base (Julie recommends Kona cotton)

3. Fusible interfacing for the skirt facings

4. 1 9” invisible zipper in a color to coordinate with your ribbon

5. 1 hook and eye

6. 1 package double fold seam binding for seam finishing, if desired

7. 1 ½” wide grosgrain ribbon.

Julie’s skirt which is a finished length of 19” has 14 rows, not including the waistband. Add rows accordingly for additional length. The ribbon quantities for Julie’s pattern size 10, graded to 12 at the hip are:

8. 2 ½ yards dk aqua (bottom 2 rows)

9. 5 yards light aqua (rows 3-6)

10. 5 yards seafoam (rows 7-10)

11. 5 yards light blue (rows 11-14)

12. 1 yard 3” wide grosgrain ribbon for the top layer (waistband)

13. Thread in colors to match your ribbon. Note – since the seam for each layer is hidden by the layer above, it’s not imperative to match each ribbon color exactly.  The waistband ribbon is the only row which you should match closely since it is topstitched.

*Julie also mentioned that her ribbon has a rayon content which prevents the ribbon from wrinkling.

 Hope you’ll join the fun!

Until soon  🙂

goodbyevalentino
goodbyevalentino@gmail.com
No Comments
  • CherryPix
    Posted at 19:16h, 20 June Reply

    What a great idea! I love the look!! Hmmmm….now pondering where to look for nice quality ribbon….

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:20h, 21 June Reply

      Thanks Cherry Pix! Julie found her ribbon at the big fabric stores and it is not a specialty ribbon – just grosgrain on a roll. You’ll look great in the ribbon skirt. 🙂

  • Rose
    Posted at 19:33h, 20 June Reply

    You are tempting me! I’d like to join in the fun if I can collect the supplies in time. I love the skirt although I’m not sure how well it will meet the “wear test”. I’ll definitely look for ribbon with rayon content. There’s a shopping trip in my future. 🙂

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:18h, 21 June Reply

      Oh great Rose! Hope you’ll give it a try. I need to find ribbon as well 🙂

  • carolinascallin
    Posted at 19:47h, 20 June Reply

    What fun!

  • Molliefran
    Posted at 20:33h, 20 June Reply

    Too much fun!

  • Sewer
    Posted at 21:29h, 20 June Reply

    What a fun idea.

  • Rosalia
    Posted at 21:57h, 20 June Reply

    I want to join in the fun! Where can I get more details?? Rosalia

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:17h, 21 June Reply

      Great Rosalia! All you need to get started is to get the supplies listed above. 🙂

  • Alethia
    Posted at 00:18h, 21 June Reply

    Sadly, I won’t be able to join you on the sew-a-long, but this is one beautiful skirt! You and Julie are awesome for taking the time to share this!! Much success on the sew-a-long!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:14h, 21 June Reply

      Many thanks for writing Alethia! Sorry you can’t join in but I do understand 🙂

  • Michelle
    Posted at 00:33h, 21 June Reply

    I adore this skirt. I have the skirt pattern. I just need to find ribbon here!

    Do you think the base skirt be made from lining fabric? Or would that be too tricky( slippery) for adding the ribbon?

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:14h, 21 June Reply

      Hi Michelle! I asked Julie about this and she recommends using a cotton, like Kona as the base. Her skirt is also unlined 🙂

  • Heathersphere
    Posted at 01:12h, 21 June Reply

    Totally cool! Thanks for sharing!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:13h, 21 June Reply

      Thanks, Heather! Look forward to getting started. 🙂

  • Sharon
    Posted at 02:58h, 21 June Reply

    This is a very interesting skirt and I am tempted, however I’m not so sure how it will work on me (5’2″) without cutting me in pieces. I would like to know your thoughts as I love your style and I haven’t seen this style in the shops here in Australia.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:12h, 21 June Reply

      Hi Sharon!
      I’m 5’2″ as well and Julie is 5’4″. I think the gradual change in color will be flattering, but you can also make it in a solid. You’re in such good shape that you can easily pull it off 🙂

      • Sharon
        Posted at 21:15h, 24 June Reply

        Now you have made me blush! CherryPix and I caught up on the weekend and she has also convinced me to sew this skirt and we are both trying to source the ribbon here in Sydney.

  • danvillegirl
    Posted at 07:38h, 21 June Reply

    Thanks for sharing this. I saw her skirt also and thought it was drop dead gorgeous. I was going to ask about source of the ribbon. We have JoAnn’s here and I will have to check that out or maybe M&J Trimmings. Where/how will the class be offered? I work full time so I am hoping this is some sort of blog sew-along or a way to access at any time.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 07:50h, 21 June Reply

      Absolutely! You can follow along on my blog. Hope you’ll join in.

  • ewellons
    Posted at 10:53h, 21 June Reply

    When I first saw Julie’s skirt on PR, I was tempted to go buy one — to heck with the RTW diet! But now I can have my own. Can’t wait. I’ll look for ribbon next week and be ready to start on July 8! Fun idea!

  • Sally
    Posted at 11:32h, 21 June Reply

    What a great idea!!!! I love ribbon skirts!!
    Sally

  • Karen
    Posted at 12:01h, 21 June Reply

    I also love J McLaughlin stores and styles – and it’s fun to get inspiration from their clothing. What a good idea for this sew-along.

  • Sarah Ioannides
    Posted at 13:17h, 21 June Reply

    I love this!! Where can I get mine – definitely not going to be sowing it!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 14:41h, 21 June Reply

      Charleston, King Street!

      • Mary Lynn
        Posted at 23:57h, 26 June Reply

        I was just in their store at Kiawah today after seeing the cute ribbon skirt. I really love the fabrics they use and even with my glasses on I had to ask a much younger customer to tell me what the fiber tag said! It was Rayon with a bit of lycra. Any idea where to find those beautiful , colorful fabrics? PS – they did have some summer things onsale. Don’t know if the King Street store does also.

  • Jan Sortore
    Posted at 13:26h, 21 June Reply

    Adorable! Count me ! Thanks so much for offering this.

  • Jan Sortore
    Posted at 13:29h, 21 June Reply

    That was supposed to say Count me in!

  • Janine Whisler
    Posted at 18:02h, 21 June Reply

    Can’t wait to join in the fun!

  • eumoronorio
    Posted at 18:33h, 21 June Reply

    Oh wow that is lovely! I want one! Thanks for hosting this sewalong! sewingforme.wordpress.com

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  • Amy
    Posted at 00:34h, 22 June Reply

    Hmmm… I think I just might! How fun!

  • Stitch It Again
    Posted at 01:36h, 22 June Reply

    Intriguing! I’d never seen one before.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:47h, 22 June Reply

      Stop in a J McLaughlin sometime if you can. They are really cute!

  • Almeda
    Posted at 05:57h, 22 June Reply

    This is a very beautiful classy skirt. It will be an excellent addition to your lovely growing wardrobe and you will wear it well. 🙂 Does Julie Starr have a sewing blog as well as the Pattern Review site?

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:48h, 22 June Reply

      Thanks, Almeda! Julie does not have a sewing blog in addition to the PR site. She would make a wonderful blogger for sure! 🙂

  • Carolyn
    Posted at 10:28h, 22 June Reply

    What a pretty skirt, in such cool and fresh summery shades! Are you planning to make one too? and what colours will you include?

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 12:42h, 22 June Reply

      Hi Carolyn! I do plan to make one but haven’t selected my colors yet…. definitely on next week’s to do list 🙂

  • Julie JP
    Posted at 10:44h, 22 June Reply

    Wow! I’ve been dreaming of sewing such a skirt for a long time! Thanks to both of you – count me in too!

  • The Renegade Seamstress
    Posted at 13:41h, 22 June Reply

    Oh, this looks like so much fun!!!! The skirt is beautiful, I might have to sew along on this one!

  • Cindy
    Posted at 11:39h, 23 June Reply

    What a nifty idea! It strikes me that you could also do this with lace, embroidered, jaquard, ikat, or other interesting colorful and/or textured trims — the sky’s the limit. In fact, this could turn out to be a really creative art form. Can’t wait to see what everybody does!

  • Sigrid
    Posted at 07:06h, 24 June Reply

    I love the style and the idea, but don’t think it will suit my figure unfortunately. Horizontal lines are not so good on narrow waist/wide hip figure (at least, that’s still what I feel about it). But certainly looking forward to seeing how it’s done and to all the variations that are sewn.

  • Karen
    Posted at 09:30h, 24 June Reply

    I find the whole idea very intriguing! I must not go shopping very often because I have never seen a ribbon skirt before. I am going to try and join in, thanks for putting this sew along together.

  • Pam
    Posted at 11:31h, 24 June Reply

    What a great idea! I can’t wait to sew this along with you. I also saw Julie’s review and thought it the skirt was spectacular. Hopefully I can find enough complementary colors of ribbon in my small town.

  • Art Attack
    Posted at 14:19h, 24 June Reply

    Ugh…when heard about this I told Julie I didn’t know where I would find the time, but now…I may have to find the time. I will let my search for just the right color ribbon be the tipping point…hmmmm…eeny, meeny, miney, mo…

    • jstarr4250
      Posted at 16:13h, 24 June Reply

      I can only imagine what a dynamite color combination you would dream up, Dorcas!

  • kathryn
    Posted at 21:52h, 24 June Reply

    I am in!!!!

  • daisydonut
    Posted at 09:11h, 26 June Reply

    I’ve not seen one of these skirts before but I love it so I’m in. Next stop ebay for ribbon.

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  • Velosewer
    Posted at 20:32h, 18 July Reply

    Would you believe I was thinking about this skirt and found the ribbons in soft tones? I hope to finish it by the end of the weekend. Fingers crossed.
    And I wasn’t even thinking about making the skirt. Your version is so pretty.

  • Janine Evans
    Posted at 18:49h, 12 September Reply

    Wow – I am awestruck! I sell ribbon in Australia. Definitely going to give this a try and share with my Facebook fans. Thanks so much for sharing.

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