Faith, Hope and Love Skirts...

The September sew along over at Hopeful Threads, is in support of Create HOPE Designs, an organisation raising funds to help orphans and their communities. I've sewn several garments using Create HOPE Designs PDF patterns and have always been extremely pleased with the results, so when Kristy asked if I would do a pattern review for this month's sew along, I was more than happy.

I chose to review the Faith, Hope & Love Skirts, as I had used the pattern on two previous occasions: here and here. It's a versatile pattern, with instructions for three different skirts, fitting ages 1 - 6. In the past, I have only made the easiest skirt, so that's the one I started with this time.

Skirts don't get any easier!!! The pattern contains step by step instructions and would be a perfect beginner project for someone who is new to sewing. As long as you can sew a straight line and know how to use the zig zag stitch, you have all the skills you'll need.

The second variation is the Faith skirt. It's still just sewing straight lines, but there's more of them.  As with all the variations, elastic measurements are specified, which is great if you don't have a child handy to measure. 

I just love how the panels are cut in different widths. I've chosen to use three different fabrics, but you could go to town with your creativity and use up co-ordinating scraps of fabric

The Hope skirt is the third variation and adds ruffles to the mix. There are no patterns to piece together and cut. All three skirts are based on rectangles, including the ruffles.

Perhaps you might recognise the orange and red diamond fabric used on the contrasting band. I was lucky enough to receive this in the Triple Zip Pouch swap. Thanks, Erin! It co-ordinates beautifully with the floral fabric my daughter gave me for my birthday.

I think the red skirt is my favourite, made with more fabric from my daughter and the polka dot from my stash. I keep changing my mind as to my favourite.

I've sewn many, many ruffles, but this was my first time sewing ruffles where both edges are exposed. The ruffles are a very girlie addition and very easy. The pattern suggests two ruffles, but, as you can see, I've added a third.  How gorgeous is the daschund fabric, given to me by a friend who was de-stashing. The brown is a fat quarter from my stash and the ruffles, a polka dot from my winnings courtesy of Hawthorne Threads and Sew Mama Sew.

My three darling, little skirts are on their way to Anglicare, where they'll be given to disadvantaged girls in Sydney.

The Faith, Hope and Love skirt pattern has been created by Red Thread Stitches, one of 16 women who have donated their patterns to Create HOPE Designs. 100% of the proceeds from this pattern benefit China Little Flower.

As their patterns are downloadable PDFs, there is no overhead and so you know that all monies are helping children in need.

Costing only $5 USD, the pattern is a bargain! If you are new to sewing, you can begin with the easiest skirt, progressing to the other two as your skills develop. 

Even if you are an experienced seamstress who can design skirts yourself, the Faith, Hope & Love Skirt pattern is still a handy one to have. 

• when you need to whip up a skirt in a hurry
• or use the pattern as a base and let your creativity loose.

You can purchase the Faith, Hope & Love Skirt pattern on BigCartel or Etsy. If you don't have girls to sew for, there are many more patterns available, all for $5.

If you sew with a Create HOPE Designs pattern this month, not only will you feel good, you will be in the running to win some AWESOME prizes; some really awesome prizes. 

For a chance to win, all you have to do is:

• purchase a pattern from CREATE Hope Designs
• sew an item using that pattern
• upload it to the Flickr group

... Pam