Floral Frenzy Upcycled Skirt

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Lined Black A-line Woven Skirt
• Cotton DuckF Fabric: 1 yd
• Mod Mushroom Floral Customizable Fabric #96897 (printed at the default setting with no customization)
• ellonF 805 Wonder Under: 2 yds or 2 packs
• All-Purpose Thread: Black
• Embroidery Needle
• Needle Threader
• 1 spool of Size 5 Pearl Cotton: Burnt Orange
• 1 spool of Size 5 Pearl Cotton: Light Green
• 1 spool of Size 5 Pearl Cotton: Medium Forest Green
• 1 spool of Size 5 Pearl Cotton: Electric Blue
• 1 spool of Size 5 Pearl Cotton: White
• 1 spool of Size 5 Pearl Cotton: Dark Carnation
• 1 spool of Size 5 Pearl Cotton: Topaz
• Disappearing Marking Pen
• 5" Applique Scissors
• Zipper Foot

DIRECTIONS:

Prepare Appliques:

1. Pre-wash & press the fabric & the skirt.
2. Cut Wonder Under down to manageable squares and fuse to the back side of the yardage per the package instructions.
3. Choose & mark the floral elements to use.
4. Cut the floral elements.
5. Leave a 1/4"- 1/2" perimeter around the shape based on desired edge preference.

Apply Appliques:

6. Audition the placement of the floral elements on the skirt.
7. Adjust the placement until the desired layout is achieved.
8. Pin in place.
9. Remove the paper backing on the appliques & fuse in place, per the product instructions.
10. Load the sewing machine needle & bobbin with all-purpose black thread.
11. Install the zipper foot.
12. Separate the lining from the body of the skirt to keep it out of the way.
13. Stitch the applique on the black fabric just beyond the flower.
14. Leave the raw edge of the perimeter free.

Hand Embroider to Embellish Appliques:

1. Download the Beginner Embroidery Stitch Guide from the GET PATTERNS tab.
2. Use the needle threader to thread the embroidery needle with approximately 24" of the Pearl Cotton of choice.
3. Tie a knot in the loose ends to form a 12" double-strand.
4. Embellish the floral elements based on preference.
5. There is no wrong way to achieve this.
6. The key is to add dimension & texture to the shapes.
7. Back stitch, running stitch, stem stitch, split stitch are good choices for stems & long lines.
8. French knots, blanket stitch, lazy daisy, & chain stitch are good options for accenting the flowers.
9. Fluff to raw edges to increase the distress of the fringe.

JOANN HACKS:

• Use the customization tool to reduce the scale of the motifs for smaller accents.
• Chose quilting cotton or cotton shirting as the base fabric to have less fraying along the edges.
• Embellish with standard applique.
• Cut the floral elements close with no black perimeter.
• Sew edges with a machine or hand-sewn blanket stitch.
• Applique denim jeans or wide leg trousers.
• Use a seam ripper to open the inner leg seam up to the crotch.
• Audition appliques in a graduating layout with increasing motifs down the legs or with level placement going around the hems.
• Continue process as explained above before resewing the inner leg seam closed.