Why Skirting the Issue?

(source)

 

Over three years ago Elizabeth had a conversation one afternoon on the phone that I will never forget. We were talking about how much we were loving working on the blog, how much we loved sewing, and how many things we wanted to make and share....but we felt like we were supposed to be doing something else...and that something else involved using our blog to do good.

 

More conversations were to follow and Skirting the Issue was born. It took us time to plan what we wanted to do and who we wanted it to benefit....but the night we landed on skirts for foster care girls we knew it was the perfect fit for us and we have never looked back.

 

Over the past 2 years more than a thousand items have been made and donated to local foster care closets during our Skirting the Issue Event. That is something Elizabeth and I could NEVER do alone. We need you and we appreciate you sewing along with us. I've been with foster system girls as they have gone through donation bins looking for clothes. It's not like going to the mall..... And I love the idea of girls now, instead of finding hand me downs or factory seconds, finding something new and soft and feminine and made just for them.

 

I have a special place in my heart for foster care kids (That I wrote about here: Why I hang Fruit Snacks on my Bedroom Wall.) and so does Elizabeth who has her own story. But we can't care for all of them....as much as we would like to...but we can do something. We can make a small difference to one girl at a time, with all of your help.

 

Between what we have in the linky party, what has been actually delivered to us, and the photos we have gotten from emails we are well over 300 skirts so far this year.

 

And even though our skirt tutorials will end this month you still have until August 15 to make and donate skirts for Skirting the Issue to still be eligible for one of our giveaway prizes (that we will talk more about tomorrow). It would be terrific to have over 500 hundred skirts again this year.

 

Thank you again to everyone who has and is sewing along with us. Your participation means a lot to us.

-liZ

Skirting the Issue with Paisley Roots

Today we have Karly with us from Paisley Roots sharing a skirt pocket tutorial with us for Skirting the Issue . 

 

Karly was nice enough to drive A LONG way up to spend an evening with us recently at our Skirting the Issue Sewing night.  It was so fun to have her come and to be able to spend some time visiting with her! 

 

 

 

Now hop on over to Paisley Roots to check out this tutorial!

Skirting the Issue with Petit a Petit and Family

Today we have the beautiful Celina joining us for Skirting the Issue today...and her skirt today is to die for!!!!  A reversible paper bag skirt---there is nothing cuter.  Head over to Celina's blog to see the full tutorial HERE!

Together We Can Do Great Things



I love Skirting the Issue.  I can't ever imagine not doing it.

I always want to do something BIG....you know like pay off someone's mortgage or open a fully stocked house of sewing in Central America...but then I remember...we can barely cover our own monthly mortgage payment and I've never even been to Central America.

 

However, every July I can sew up a storm, with many of you sewing along with me and together we can do something BIG...like give over 500 girls in foster care something made especially for them, with love.  It might not be a new home or a wicked awesome sewing hut but it's something...

 

I could never do this by myself...not even with Elizabeth helping...but with all of you we can do great things. 

So thank you, thank you to everyone who has already made skirts and uploaded them to the linky party, thank you to everyone who has sewn along and has sent us photos and emails, and thank you to those of you who are still going to sew along.  We appreciate everyone of you.

-liZ

Skirting the Issue with Crafty Cupboard

Today we have the adorable Melanie from The Crafty Cupboard with us.

We just love this lady!  Both her and everything she makes!  She is so darling and feminine...just like the tutorial that she has for Skirting the Issue!

 

 

Sooo cute!

And for all the details click on over to The Crafty Cupboard and check them out!

Skirting the Issue with Daisy Chain Creations

Today we have one of our long time Project Run and Play all time favorite ladies with us....Sally from both Daisy Chain Creations and Sew Cool for the Tween Scene and she has a terrific tutorial to share with all of you!

 

Check it out!

And click on over to either Daisy Chain Creations or Sew Cool for the Tween Scene to get the tutorial!

Skirting the Issue with Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop

 Hello Ladies!
Today we have another fun lady with another great skirt idea!

We are happy to welcome Amy from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop here to Project Run and Play.

Hop on over to her blog and get all the details on how to make these great skirts! 

 

Skirting the Issue with Sew Very

I'm so excited today to have Veronica from Sew Very with us!

She is so cute and so nice....I'm SO happy that we get to hang out with her today!

 

 

 

And this kangaroo pouch pocket tutorial is perfect for Skirting the Issue so hop on over to her blog and check out all the details!



Skirting the Issue with A Jennuine Life

Today's guest is Jenn from A Jennuine Life....

 ....and she had put together a darling PDF Tutorial for this skirt!

 

 

It is perfect for Skirting the Issue...so simple and so cute!

 

So for all the details head on over to her blog and check it out!

 



Skirting the Issue with The Crazy Tailor

Today we have a sweet guest... Sarah from The Crazy Tailor who's darling style and cute photography we just adore.  And today she is sharing a tutorial for a chevron skirt

 

 

So hop on over to her blog and check out all the details!

Thank you Sarah for sharing with us today.



Skirting the Issue with Sew Country Chick

Today we have one of our good friends and PR&P alum, Justine from Sew Country Chick.  She found these adorable vintage pillowcases that were unused (how lucky is she!) and dolled them up to make these absolutely cute skirts!

 

 You can find all the details HERE over on Sew Country Chick.

 

 

Skirting the Issue with Sew Like My Mom

 

Melissa from Sew Like My Mom is our guest blogger today with her absolutely delightful Sycamore Skirt.  Head over to Melissa's blog for the full tutorial of this skirt!  What a perfect shape for fall and back to school.....those pockets are so darling and can hold lots of treasures for school!

 

Click HERE to get the full tutorial....

 

Thanks Melissa!

Skirting the Issue: Thank You....

 

As with the previous years we've done Skirting the Issue I am again humbled and amazed by the women within our community.  The kindness and the goodness that is inside of each of you is tremendous.

 

We don't know everything that has been going on in your sewing rooms or at your kitchen tables but through comments and emails we've seen glimpses...and you ladies are wonderful.

Thank you for sewing along with us...thank you for sharing your blessings...thank you for being a blessing in the life of someone else.

 

Skirting the Issue means a lot to us...a tremendous amount...and we thank each of you from the bottom of our hearts for sewing along with us.  Whether it's one skirt or one million skirts...we appreciate it.

-liZ and Elizabeth

 

PS:  If you are in the Provo, Utah area on Thursday night please stop by the Cotton Shop and say hello...and maybe stay and sew a few skirts with us...we'll bring all the supplies...and the treats.

(For more details go HERE.)

 

 

 

 

Skirting the Issue with Frances Suzanne

 

Today we have the lovely Emily and Ashley from Frances Suzanne sharing a darling detailed skirt for Skirting the Issue. They did such a fantastic job during their project run and play season and you can see their style in this adorable skirt.

 

The other thing I absolutely love that this is an easy sew but the details make it look like it takes a lot more time! So, so, so cute!!!

 

Head over to Frances Suzanne to get the full tutorial and the free printable to make the skirt!!!

Skirting the Issue with Sew Much To Give

Deborah from Sew Much to Give is one of our favorite people here at Project Run and Play.  No, we have never met her in real life but we love her still the same.  She is amazing....and sews and sews for so many children around her.  Her blog title is I suspect her life and what a tribute to her.

Today she is sharing this darling skirt with ribbon trim around the bottom and some great tricks on how to make the buttonholes at the bottom.  Please head over HERE to see Deborah's full tutorial for the Any Occasion Skirt!

Skirting the Issue with Kiki Creates

Today's guest is one person that we finally got to meet in person this last Spring and I can tell you that she is as darling in person as on her blog---Kiki Creates.  So fantastic I tell you...and I wish I had a fingernail full of her graphic printable design skills....she has such awesome stuff!

And speaking of awesome stuff, today she is sharing her ONE HOUR twirl away skirt tutorial that looks so professional that people will think you spent a lot longer on it!  I love that boutique look for very little effect ;)

 

Isn't it darling?  I so so love the belt details with the tulle at the bottom....

 

Head over to Kiki Creates today to get the full tutorial for her twirl away skirt!

Skirting the Issue with Falafel and the Bee

Sometimes you "meet"  people and you know that you were just destined to be friends...and that is how I feel about Michelle from Falafel and the Bee.  I just simply love her.  She is wonderful and one day I hope that we get to "meet" in person.

 

But until then I will settle for getting to share her awesomeness with all of you.  And today she has some serious awesomeness...a tutorial for how to make a triangle pocket to add to any skirt.

 

 

So head on over to her blog, Falafel and the Bee, and check it out!

 

PS:  Just a reminder that one week from today is our SEWING NIGHT in Provo, Utah for Skirting the Issue and we would love for all of you to join us!  For all the details (dates, times, etc.)  just click here:  Skirting the Issue Sewing Night.

Skirting the Issue with Rae Gun Ramblings

Today we are excited to have our friend (and fellow Harry Potter lover) Marissa from Rae Gun Ramblings sharing a darling skirt tutorial with us for Skirting the Issue!

 

To get all the details and the how-to for this fun skirt head on over to her blog:  Rae Gun Ramblings!



Skirting the Issue with Call Ajaire

Today we have one of our good friends here at Project Run and Play sharing her creativity with this darling ruffled skirt.  Head over to Call Ajaire for all of the details of how to create a peek-a-boo ruffle to the back of any skirt AND there is even a free pattern for a size 3 (thank you!)

See you THERE!!!

Skirting the Issue with Simple Simon and Company

Today you get us (boring, I know) but we've put together a few of our simplest skirt tutorials.

All can be done in one hour or less (most less) and are still darling on girls of all ages.

Top Row: Wrap Circle Skirt, Vintagely Modern Skirt, Melon Blocked Skirt

Middle Row: All You Need is Love Skirt, The Starboard Skirt, The Hostess Cupcake Skirt

Bottom Row: Circle Skirt with Pockets, Bubble Skirt, Pillowcase Skirt

We've made each of these skirts...oh...I'd say roughly 8 million times each so we know they are tried and true and any of them would be great to make and donate for Skirting the Issue!

Sewing Saturday is Live & Everything is Awesome!

So…I watched the Lego Movie again last night with Simon and Grace after the fireworks.  (Instead of putting in the linky party….I’m sorry but it’s in here now!)  And I was thinking...

 

At the end of the movie Emmett…an ordinary Joe…is talking to President Business and he says:

 

Emmett:  I want you to join me.  Look at all these things that people built.  You might see a mess….

 

Lord Business:  EXACTLY!!!  A bunch of weird dorky stuff that ruined my perfectly good stuff!

 

Emmett:  Ok.  What I see are people inspired by each other and by you.  People taking what you made and making something new out of it.

 

(Pan to weird lego creations….)

 

Emmett: You don’t have to be the bad guy. You are the most talented, most interesting, and most extraordinary person in the universe. And you are capable of amazing things. Because you are the Special. And so am I. And so is everyone. The prophecy is made up, but it’s also true. It’s about all of us. Right now, it’s about you. And you… still… can change everything.

 

 

******

I KNOW its a nerdy kids movie…but I love it…and that scene makes me think about all of us.  We ALL have something to offer to the party.  NO matter our style, tastes, or skill level.  We all have something special to offer…to share with each other…something that will help to inspire someone…whether or not we follow the instructions!

 

 

So, if you have a minute...hop on over to Simple Simon and share what you've been sewing this week!  Here's the link:  Sewing Saturday's at Simple Simon and Company

Skirting the Issue: Karly from That's What She Crafted

Today we have our first guest post for Skirting the Issue, this darling pleated skirt by Karly and That's What She Crafted.  We all know and love Karly from Season 8 of Project Run and Play and her personal sewing blog Paisley Roots.

 

Head HERE to see the whole tutorial!!!  And go now....this skirt is so versatile for so many fabrics!!

Skirting The Issue 2014

What is Skirting the Issue? A month long event where you are invited to sew along with us and make skirts to donate to local Foster Care centers.(To read more about how this project began go HERE.)

Skirting the Issue is HERE!!!!

It is July 1st and one of our absolute favorite series has officially started....Skirting the Issue!