Dots on Dots Blog Hop -- and a giveaway!

It's my day Dots on Dots Blog Hop!

Who doesn't love polka dots?  I know I do -- and here is my "dots on dots" block.

 

It's not an Aunt Marti original.  In fact, if I said "applique' in really bright colors," wouldn't you instantly think "Piece O' Cake Designs?"


You'd be right!

This block is from the February 2004 American Patchwork & Quilting magazine. Completely Dotty was designed by Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins, the geniuses behind Piece O' Cake Designs.

 The blocks are made using the paper-piecing technique and assorted light and dark "dotty" scraps.

Someday, I will have the entire quilt to show you! 

But in the meanwhile, how's this for a polka dot cutie?

Those of you who guessed "skirt" when I posted this photo:

Were right.

I saw a similar skirt at the quilt show in Tacoma last month and decided I just had to make one for my granddaughter.  Orange is her favorite color, so every fabric I used has orange in it somewhere!

This skirt is super-easy to make.  If you can make a Dresden Plate block, you can make this!

I used my 9 degree ruler and 4 1/2" wide strips of dotty fabrics cut to 12 1/2" long.  I placed one short edge of the 12 1/2" by 4 1/2" rectangle on the 6" mark of the ruler, then cut each side.

When I started sewing the wedges together, I tried to put a light next to a bright or dark.  No more planning than that!

Fold each wedge right sides together lengthwise and stitch across the longer of the short ends.  Turn the point right side out and the wedge will magically look like a man's necktie!

Sew two together, then four together and sew on until there are enough to equal the waist measurement plus 2" for wearing ease.  Nadia wears a size 4, so I used 24 wedges.

Press the seams open, or to one side, whichever you prefer.

Once you have enough wedges to go around your little model, cut a 2 1/2" strip of fabric the waist measurement plus 3-4".  Press wrong sides together lengthwise and stitch to the top of the skirt. (There is no back seam yet, the skirt is still flat like a big clown's collar, so it's easy to stitch the waistband on and serge the seam if you have a serger.)  As you can see in this photo, the waistband is longer than the stop of the skirt -- not to worry, it will be trimmed off after the back seam is sewn.

Cut a length of 1/2" elastic the waist measurement plus 1" - 1 1/2" and insert into the waistband. If your granddaughter lives nearby, try the skirt on and adjust the elastic.  Secure at the ends with a straight pin (use safety pins if you're trying it on a child!).  Then sew the back seam from the bottom up through the waistband, securing the elastic with the stitching. 

Now trim the waistband even with the seam allowance.

If your granddaughter lives 1400 miles away, you'll need to find  friend who has a young girl willing to model for you!

Twirl, Lizzie!

Little girls love "twirly" skirts.  And Ladybugs.

Thanks, Maryann and Jen -- and especially Lizzie!



Be sure to visit the other dotty hoppers today:

Why Knot Kwilt 

Stitchin by the Lake

Beth @ Plum and June

The Recipe Bunny

Sunshine Girl

Aunt Marti (me!)

The Fuzzy Hat Quilter

Rose Prairie Quilts and Farm

Cliodana

And remember to sign up for my giveaway here!  You could win this fun Kate Spain stationery stuff:

From the desk of your