Hey there Melly Sews readers! It’s Teresa here from Dandelion Drift to share with you one of Melissa’s newer patterns, the Marbella. Well, I’m showing you part of the Marbella. The Marbella is a dress pattern that has the option to become a peplum top, but I fell in love with the button down maxi part of the dress and knew I would wear a button down maxi skirt often!
Let me tell you all the details of the materials and then I’ll tell you how to make the Marbella dress pattern into a skirt!
I grabbed just two yards of Art Gallery knit fabric for this skirt! If you look closely, you’ll see those two yards weren’t enough for me to cut the pattern with all of my little triangles facing the same direction. I just held my breath and hoped it wouldn’t be too noticeable, and really I don’t think anyone would see my upside triangles in the back unless I pointed it out.
And those 15 buttons, they were all in my button pile. I was amazed that I had 15 buttons that matched and just a bit thrilled that they were the exact color I was looking for!
Okay, want to make your Marbella pattern into a skirt also? It’s pretty simple, we just need to make a waistband:
- assemble the marbella pattern (skirt only) as stated in Melissa’s instructions
- measure around the waist part of your assembled pattern (the top of the skirt)
- take that measurement and subtract 2 inches (this leaves you with a snug waistband so your skirt will stay up!)
- cut out one piece of skirt fabric from above measurement by 4.5 inches. For example, say the top of my skirt measured 28 inches. I’d cut one piece of my fabric 4.5 x 26. Then use this piece to cut a piece the same size out of swimsuit lining fabric. The swimsuit lining gives your waistband some stability!
- lay your waistband with the wrong side up and lay your swimsuit lining piece on top and pin around the perimeter. With the swimsuit lining on top, fold the waistband pieces right sides together, long end touching long end. Sew the short ends with 1/2 inch seam allowance (straight stitch). We’re creating a clean edge to go at the front of the button up and we’re just sewing the fold in place.
- flip the waistband piece right side out and iron. Align the waistband with the top of your skirt, right sides facing. Stretch the waistband evenly to match the skirt. Sew in place with 1/2 inch seam allowance (using zig zag or serger).
- press the waistband and topstitch in place
Phew, that’s it! I hope you make a Marbella skirt for yourself, and can’t wait to see it! I absolutely love mine! And I definitely have the Marbella dress on my to sew list!
Find Teresa – Blog, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
