
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:
From the desk of your

Oooh I love your quilt - very effective with all those colours and the little girls skirt is just adorable. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWOwo love the skirt. And yes, little girls love twirling and ladybugs!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the block and LOVE the skirt. It looks amazing. Thanks for the tutorial, I might have to try it!
ReplyDeleteI love the block, please go on, it will be a stunning quilt! But I like the twirling Lizzie the best, nothing looks greater than dancing girls!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute dotty skirt and the model is adorable.
ReplyDeleteThat`s a cute skirt! i love primary colors. Thank you for sharing your tutorial.
ReplyDeleteI hope that skirt makes one of the top 2 for today! Love that and I know that sweet little girl does too!
ReplyDeleteLove it! So creative and unique. Great use of your dots.
ReplyDeletehow sweet, any little girl would love this!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Aunt Marti and Lizzie...loved your dotty projects..we even put your Lizzie twirling in her delightful skirt on the board...glad you joined us..
ReplyDeleteGreat dot block, sew colorful! Lizzie's skirt is just darling. Thanks for being part of the hop.
ReplyDeleteLove that skirt - if only I were young once again. Wonderful giveaway - love anything Kate Spain. Thanks for this opportunity. Judy C
ReplyDeleteWonderful block and skirt...love the "twirl"!!
ReplyDeleteLindas!!!modelo e saia.Você fez para sua neta mas,tenho certe za que fará uma para a modelo LIZIE também.Estou encantada.Quase comentei que era um cocar indígena....coisa de brasileira,háha´Beijos.
ReplyDeletesuch a cute skirt! great idea
ReplyDeleteSo Sweet! Gotta love a twirley skirt! I think it's even better in dots.
ReplyDeleteHow cute, she looks like she loves her skirt (and Grandma). That's precious.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to make a skirt!! Love the tutorial!!
ReplyDeleteAlways have loved Piece-o-Cake designs - and I lOVE the little skirt! Nice job.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the twirly skirt! My daughter would have loved one when she was Lizzie's age!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the skirt!! Twirly skirts are a must, in my book. =) Well done....
ReplyDeleteHi!!! Love the skirt!!! Love the colors!!! Thanks for the tute also!!!
ReplyDeleteI have that Dotty quilt pattern too. I never made it, but liked it and put it in my collection of patterns. I love all the bright colors in your block. Cute skirt you made too.
ReplyDeleteAdorable!!! that skirts looks pretty neat! Reminds me of one made out of men's ties -- but in this case, maybe a clown's? It looks really nice!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute idea.. a skirt! I hope I have a grandaughter some day! I want to dress her up in the cutest things. Now a Grandson would be fine, but I never could figure out how to dress my son cute, but I think I could figure out some things for my Grandson now that I have the internet..
ReplyDeleteOMG!! that skirt is just too cute! And little girls do love the twirly ones! Lizzy is adorable! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the bright colors!! Thanks for the fun!!
ReplyDeleteThat block is so bright and beautiful--love it! The skirt is so adorable, as is the little girl wearing it. :O) Thanks for hopping with us!
ReplyDeleteLove your bright modern dotted dresden block! The skirt is adorable on your adorable granddaughter! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove the block, but really LOVE the skirt - yes, great twirly skirt! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI remember that Completely Dotty caught my eye too when it was first published. I still have that magazine around here somewhere.
ReplyDeleteYour little skirt is clever and cute.
Thank you for sharing your fun projects! That sweetie is loving her 'twirly skirt'..Cute!!
ReplyDeleteI love your block!! Gorgeous!!! And that little skirt is just darling!!! I love it!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the twirly skirt. My girls would have loved that.
ReplyDeleteOh, that pillow and the skirt are so cute!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a dotty block! And the skirt is so fun, I bet she loves it.
ReplyDeleteSo Cute.. wish I had the time, Hope to see you on my Dots to Dots Day
ReplyDeleteYour little blonde is just darling. Love all your projects!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty, I think I will try my hand at the skirt for my granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteLizzie loves her skirt and I don't blame her one little bit...it is so much fun. Ahhh granddaughters are so special :)
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Kelly
How fun!! Lizzie in the twirl skirt, too cute by a mile. Nice work!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty block and that skirt is just so cute...love them both!! TFS
ReplyDeleteVery cute skirt! Who would have thought that you could make it from a quilt pattern? Wish I had a grand-daughter!
ReplyDeleteLittle girls, twirly skirts, and polka dots...Winning Combination!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Gmama Jane
Having two Boys, I do miss Little Girls and their twirls, I always twirled when I was little. Thanks for sharing a great Hop with us. Susie x
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet skirt for a sweet little girl. She will love it. I love the colors in dots and have to make some for my granddaughter. All for of them! Thank you for sharing. Judith, Texas
ReplyDeleteLove the skirt! And with making the ends like the Dresden plate, you don't even need a hem. Fantastic idea. Might have to copy that one from you! Thanks for sharing your dotty experience!
ReplyDeleteRosemary B Here:
ReplyDeleteOH MY I love both of your projects, so colorful. the skirt is adorable. I am sure your granddaughter will love this, and Lizzie is a great model.
I have never tried Dresden plate but I will now. Thanks for the advice about color placement too
The block is cute but that skirt - over the top darling! blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteCute skirt! I will have to make one of t hese for each of my granddaughters. Thank you for sharing the directions.
ReplyDeleteTruly cute skirt for your cutie pie!
ReplyDeletesusie
legato1958@aol.com
I love the bright colors! That skirt is adorable and so is the model!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the twirly skirt!!!! The quilt looks awesome too.
ReplyDeleteTwo great projects! Such fun fabrics and design. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThx for sharing your post. Dresden is very interesting! The stationery is colorful + charming, a delightful giveaway.
ReplyDeleteLove the skirt! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletethat skirt and your granddaughter are adorable
ReplyDeleteI love your pillow and the skirt is such inspiration, you have me hooked! I am a new follower now! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon Aunt Marti, love your Piece O' Cake block and look forward to seeing the finished quilt....that will be a lot of dots. Lizzie is adorable twirling in her Dresden Dot skirt. Thanks for sharing and happy stitching!! Pauline
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteHow pretty! I love bright colors! I love the block and the skirt both! I might have to make a "skirt" as an apron that I can wear! (My granddaughter lives at least that far away, but she might get one too!)
ReplyDeleteI love the little skirt and Lizzy is a doll! I can tell she loves it too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty twirl skirt, and your block is wonderful, too! I do so love Kate Spain...thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a really cute idea!
ReplyDeleteI love the dotty skirt and the little girl seems to adore it too
ReplyDeleteLove the block and the skirt is just too cute ! just like the little model :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
Marta
Great block and skirt! So cute!
ReplyDeleteAunt Marti-Your dots on dots block is very colorful. Thank you for the dresden skirt tutorial, and I really love your purple/blue braided quilt. Thanks for sharing=from California.
ReplyDeleteNellie, thanks for your kind comment! I don't know why Blogger didn't send your comment to my email, but I'm glad you commented.
DeleteAdorable! (and the block and skirt are wonderful, too, lol!)
ReplyDeleteI like your quilt block. It sure will be a bright quilt! Lizzie looks darling in the fun, twirly skirt.
ReplyDeleteI love the skirt.. I have a couple nieces who'd love a skirt like that but sadly I do not do garments. :( I tried once and it ended very badly. Love your block tho.. the bright colors are so fun!
ReplyDeleteThe little skirt is adorable and Lizzie seems pretty happy with it too :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute skirt! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love anything the Piece o'Cake girls come up with. Way to go on making one of their blocks...its wonderful and so happy! Cute skirt...your granddaughter is gonna love it...your model sure did! :)
ReplyDeleteWow; what a cutie pie in that Dresden Plate skirt. How totally fabulous! And i love that Piece of Cake block with your dots. Debby (in Virginia, DC suburbs) Thanks for sharing today!
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower! :)
ReplyDeleteYour block looks terrific and I love the twirly skirt! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou know, even me, a sometime sewer, could make this. Thanks for sharing Aunt Marti. Adorable.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful model for your stunning skirt.
ReplyDeleteYour block is darling - I love dresden. But your dotty skirt is tops!!! Thanks for the tut.
ReplyDeleteWhat little girl would't love this twirly skirt. Thanks for the tut.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh is she ever the cutest little thing in that twirly skirt! Fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute skirt and an adorable model!
ReplyDeleteThat is the cutest twirly skirt! And your granddaughter is such a cutie!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great skirt! I have three little girls and could see myself making a few of these!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute, cute little twirly skirt! Thanks for the tutorial!
ReplyDeletethat skirt is just made to twrill... thanks for sharing
ReplyDeletein stitches
Love your block, and the twirly skirt is awesome!
ReplyDeleteHow fun and I love the skirt!
ReplyDeleteThat skirt is adorable!!!!! I love to be entered in your giveaway.
ReplyDeleteHow cute is that! What a lucky granddaughter!
ReplyDeleteLizzie is adorable in that skirt. I feel your pain with your granddaughter being 1400 miles away. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThe skirt is awesome! and I love your dot block!
ReplyDeleteI love your block and cute skirt on the even cuter little model :). Too bad I missed your give away!
ReplyDeleteAunt Marti, I love the dotty block but nearly squealed out loud when I saw the twirly skirt in dots. Oh, my! Both are so gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing and being a part of the hop!
That dresden skirt is sew much fun! Your granddaughter looks so adorable in it.
ReplyDeleteThat skirt is so cute. She look great in it. Orange is my favorite color also!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your dotty block and the swirly skirt.
ReplyDeleteToo cute!
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt and love your block...
ReplyDeletebut Lizzie steals the show! Such a cutie twirling in her skirt!
Thanks for sharing and joining in the hop!