Home > The Sew Weekly Challenges > Circle Skirt Challenge > Round and Round the Garden…

Round and Round the Garden…

posted April 26, 2012 / 14 Comments


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Facts

Fabric:  Feels like something cotton chintzy from the ’50′s.

Pattern:  Simplicity 2257

Year:  2011

Notions:  Thread, interfacing and zip from stash

Time to Complete:  approx 6 hours (I handstitched the hem and waistband)

First Worn:  In these pictures.

Wear Again:  Yes, when we get more sunshine here in the UK (I love it, particularly the cost!)

Total Price:  £2

 

Back in the Botanic Garden again, where I started off this year… That’s because this gorgeous fountain is in there, all based on circles.

Funny blue stripe...

My skirt is made of a swirly print which I thought just perfect for this challenge. I had a tricky time cutting it out because the fabric was all funny shapes. I hope this counts, in that it’s not just one piece of fabric – it looks to me like somebody had tried and failed to make a circle skirt out of this – some of the top sections had a half circle bit cut out – I like to think I’ve finished the job, albeit in 4 sections. I found it in the fabric basket at a charity shop – there were 4 pieces at 50 pence each. One section was not quite big enough, so I patched it almost invisibly (I hope!) at the corner with an exactly matching bit of print from leftover fabric. I also had the problem of a funny blue stripe on two of the pieces, which I had to cut round.

My 'invisible' mend

I’m really proud of myself about this skirt!  I’m convinced the fabric is genuinely ‘vintage’ (until someone tells me different) because the texture of the fabric ‘feels’ old and the print looks old and 50′s style too, a kind of basketweave pattern with the scattered blue flowers.

This is a favourite, mostly because I feel it really is something from nothing. Plus I love the colours and the pattern and how easy it all went together. I want to make another one now ….

 

 

My friend Jane is getting good at my photography now … she has the knack of knowing just how to compose a shot – Thanks Jane!


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Author

margueritedesigns

Diane has sewn all through life but gave things a serious go at the beginning of last year and has since taken part in 50 Sew Weekly challenges. She now wants to expand her knowledge and learn new techniques in each project she completes, as well as develop a style of her own and a sense of quality over quantity. She studied print design some years ago and a love of unusual prints and colours underpins her work. Currently, she works full time dealing with copyright issues and previously, she managed photographic sales for a leading fine art museum. Diane is so grateful for the friendship, support and encouragement she has received from the Sew Weekly community.

8 posts http://margueritedesigns.blogspot.com

14 Comments

Comments are closed.

  1. Krista
    April 26, 2012 at 10:59 am

    Hi Diane, great photo composition and the skirt looks great, really nice patch job.

  2. Sue
    April 26, 2012 at 11:32 am

    My new issue of Threads just arrived, featuring fabric shopping in London. It makes me want to plan a trip, but then there are those wonderful charity bins offering up great finds, like this retro fabric. The photo shows the fabric grain well. Nice job, sewist and photographer!

  3. Jennifer
    April 26, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    Very cute! You should definitely make more :-) Great job working with odd pieces – the “patch” is very well done. Cute photos too – what a sweet friend.

    • margueritedesigns
      April 28, 2012 at 11:54 am

      I think I will make more Jennifer. I really like this style of skirt. It was quite a challenge working with the bits of fabric but also very enjoyable figuring it all out! Don’t know what I’d do without Jane’s photos now … they’re great.

  4. judy
    April 26, 2012 at 5:25 pm

    This is beautiful ..love the fabric. Looks great on you. And what a beautiful garden to take your photo.. Love it.. Happy sewing.

  5. Tiffany
    April 26, 2012 at 7:27 pm

    Very accurate pattern matching/patching and a lovely photo with the flowers.

  6. SullyLiz3
    April 27, 2012 at 9:37 am

    Wow! Such a good job of working with difficult print flaws. Beautiful!

  7. Debby
    April 27, 2012 at 11:10 pm

    Beautiful fabric Marguerite, I’m sorry I didn’t choose a print fabric for my circle skirt instead of plain pink.