Tuesday 8 March 2011

the first skirt of spring!

In my last post I promised (myself as well as you!) that my next garment would be something easy. This skirt, made from pattern 114 in the July 2008 issue of Burda Magazine, is certainly that but it does have some very nice details.

Here’s the line drawing so you can get a clearer idea of what’s going on with it
Burda’s description: “Your favourite skirt boasts loads of topstitching lines on the hem and a wide, shaped hip yoke with eyelets and tie bands for a sporty look.” Some of these details, especially the rows of topstitching, don’t show up very well in the photograph but in real life they do work nicely.

The fabric I used is an African print cotton. I would love to tell you that I purchased this in some exotic, far-flung location but, in fact I bought it from a market stall in Leeds (Yorkshire in the north of England). I absolutely LOVE African prints, the colours are always so alluring and the designs so wonderfully attractive. It appears I am not alone, African prints often make an appearance on the runway - L.A.M.B. featured some fabulous African prints in their Spring 2011 show

image courtesy of Style.com

But back to my skirt. The most nerve-racking part about making this skirt is adding the eyelets


There you are, with your skirt all beautifully constructed and you have to take a pair of scissors and cut two holes in the front yoke. Yikes! But, fear not, a couple of sturdy eyelets, a few confident bashes with a hammer and all is well again. If you have never done this before, I would, however, recommend at least one trial run with some scrap fabric just to be sure you know which way round to place the eyelets and how hard you need to wield the hammer.

I really enjoyed making this skirt – fun to make and easy to wear. I hope your Spring sewing has got off to a good start?

35 comments:

  1. That is lovely!!! I love that fabric.

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  2. Great skirt. Love this use of the print.

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  3. I love the fabric you chose. Nice looking skirt! I really need to get going in my sewing room to catch up with everyone. Happy Sewing, love your blog!
    Michelle

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  4. Your fabric choice really makes this an amazing skirt. Lovely!

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  5. Great skirt, fun fabric and cute touch with the eyelets. I am with you on the eyelets, very anxious when I put in eyelets.

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  6. The skirt is beautiful. It looks like the kind that you should make a few of for spring. Happy sewing. Gita

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  7. Lovely skirt and great pattern placement! The print is beautiful!

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  8. Eugenia, your spring wardrobe is off to a good start. The skirt may be simple, but it looks great. It looks fab with that top!

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  9. Beautiful skirt! I see fabrics like that, admire them, but never know what to do with them. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  10. A very pretty skirt! The colours of the skirt and matching top realy suit you.

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  11. Such a fun spring skirt! I love it with the purple top!

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  12. I am in love with the African print fabric. Perfect for spring.

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  13. I like your use of the African print. It really works in your sporty skirt. The eyelets are a great touch, but I can imagine that inserting them was a little nerve racking.

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  14. Oh, very nice color combination and I love the pattern. This will be such a fun skirt for spring and it matches perfectly with your tee. Love the eyelet detail!

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  15. This wonderful skirt earned extra points with the fabric you used, the spring is rife in fun, bright clothes. Fabulous!

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  16. Beautiful fabric used! Love it! I am feeling the sewing bug coming by! Can't wait to start! :)

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  17. This is great way to kick start your spring sewing, the fabric is really fun and fabulous. I made this skirt last year and chickened out of the eyelets, they do look good though.

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  18. I love that print, what a great skirt!!

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  19. great style, looks well on you. is it spring yet?

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  20. Eugenia,

    This is fantastic! Seriously! I am a bit obsessed with Africa myself - I've been drinking Rooibus (bush) tea and eating peri peri peppers:) I love the skirt on you!! Happy Spring!

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  21. What a great skirt! I love that color combo. Beautiful!

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  22. I love the print of that skirt. The colors are just right without going over the top. Nice job as always, I love everything that you make.

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  23. Very pretty skirt! It looks amazing! :]

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  24. Sua saia é linda, a estampa é charmosa e o detalhe do ilhós muito interessante. Parabens.

    Eilane - Brasil

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  25. I love African prints as well and I wish they were more easily available. Your skirt is beautiful!

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  26. What a colorful fun skirt, and right in style

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  27. What a creative use of this African fabric. I love them too, but can never think of a way to use them in anything more than a simple shift dress. This skirt just rocks.

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  28. Well, this is gorgeous! Hehe, your description of anxiety upon having to cute a hole in the yoke of your magnificently nearly-finished skirt, I can so relate!!
    Very fun, and as Burdastyle confidently predicts (don't you just love those cheesy little descriptions!)... "your favourite skirt..."
    The mixture of that rich purple and mustard is one of my favourite colour combinations, so sophisticatedly vibrant.
    Gorgeous!

    And thankyou for your comment on my dress

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  29. Very pretty! Love the colors in the skirt.

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