[ my Monday, post-housecleaning outfit! ]
Sunday morning I woke up and decided I had to sew a circle skirt. It’d been on my to-sew list for some time, as one of those easy but fun little projects to do. I have several needlecraft booklets from the 50s that have instructions on how to make circle skirts, so all I had to do was pick one and some fabric, and get to it! I think circle skirts are probably one of the easiest styles one can make–besides perhaps the basic gathered skirt. It took me no time at all to whip this up (which is exactly what I was looking for in a spur-of-the-moment weekend project!), until I decided that I wanted to hand hem the entire thing. Bad idea–that took forever! lol.
[ added a couple useful pockets. ]
The fabric I used is a lovely denim-weight cotton print I picked up at Ikea last year (yes, it’s a home decor fabric. No, I don’t mind using home fabrics in apparel applications as long as the weight is appropriate!). I had originally bought it to make a pencil skirt with, but it works a lot better with this style. I also added two patch pockets (because what skirt is really useful without them?!), trimmed with some mini bobble-trim that I had in my stash. I really adore this trim; I had originally bought it to use on a blouse, which I think I may still use the last bit for! The only problem with the final skirt is that I need a petticoat with a bit more body! I got rid of my fullest net petticoat before I moved down here, and layering two of my less-than-full ones underneath just isn’t cutting it. lol.
[ booklet and pretty straw clutch I'm borrowing! ]
I think perhaps this project helped break me out of my sewing funk that I’ve been in. It’s really frustrating to have projects piling up, the siren call of sewing for an upcoming season, and not feel like sewing. As much as I wanted to sew, I think I mentally needed a break from it! Now I just need to get myself in gear and finish up that swimsuit!
[ definitely need a fuller petticoat! ]
Oh, and see that gorgeous little straw envelope clutch in the photos? It’s not actually mine, but something I’ve been loaned to use for a bit! I’m utterly in love with it right now and am stalking Ebay and Etsy for a suitable version to acquire for my own closet. But, that’s part of an exciting little project that a fellow blogger and I have been doing, which I’ll post about tomorrow!!!
Hope you’re having a lovely Tuesday!
Oh I love the color, the pattern (perfect for late summer/early fall), and best of all, how it looks on YOU!
Very cute! I love the color.
Mom
I love a good circle skirt – always elegant and appropriate! Yours is so pretty, from the fabric to the adorable pockets with trim!
So pretty! Love the trim on the pockets and the fabric’s lovely colour palette.
I love that print! How smart of you to think outside the box and use a home decor fabric. It looks great on you!
Circle skirts are my FAVORITES, and this one turned out just beautifully!
Would you be willing to post a copy of that pattern? I’ve been dying to make a circle skirt and can’t seem to find a good pattern.
Very cute! I love the print.
PRETTY! (That’s what I said when I saw your first pic on my screen
Casey–I love this! The fabric is perfect, and so is the trim on the little pocket. I also love the raffia and straw clutch.
Oh! It’s dandy, indeed! And that fabric is SO lovely!! The perfect colour and print, I think, for a Florida Autumn to come!
Oh Casey, that skirt is perfect!!!! Mine is so thrown together. I should make a new one with my extra EP fabric, hehe. Gosh, I love that clutch! I can’t wait to see your surprise tomorrow!
Lovely, the colour, the flowers and it looks so cute on you. Great skirt!
Aaaah, this is so adorable! I love circle skirts. Lovely pattern!
i’m ooooo-ing and aaaaah’ing! =) such a pretty, delightful skirt! that is a beautiful fabric too, and i adore the pockets!
That fabric is adorable!
So lovely! I have to say, as a sewer and former vintage wearer now mom of 2, you have completely inspired me to sew more and get back to vintage! I love this skirt! Will you be posting a tutorial??
How funny- I just bought a few yards of felt to make a circle skirt for fall. I actually wrote a post about the woman who is reported to have invented the poodle skirt in the 50s- http://tartdeco.blogspot.com/2009/11/circle-skirts-petticoats-tutorials.html . BTW, it also has a link to a 50s petticoat pattern, since you mentioned you’ll need a new one
My plan is to try and recreate one of the skirts she made and I was going to use a tutorial I mentioned in my post. However, I am with some of the others that I would LOVE to see an actual circle skirt pattern from the 50s.
I truly love and adore circle skirts and think that this look absolutely amazing on you! the fabric is so pretty! I approve highly!!
I love the skirt–the fabric is perfect!
Love it! That pattern is divine! The mini bobble-trim on the pockets is lovely. I would also love a tutorial. I do have a vintage circle skirt but I’d love to have another (or two or three.
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Beautiful skirt and I love the woodland-ish fabric! I can totally see you transitioning the skirt into fall with a little brown cardigan. I love ikea fabric, great idea to use it for a skirt! I’m sure it has a nice heavy hand.
Happy week to you Casey!
LOVE that print! I have been working on a circle skirt for months now. I just keep putting it off and off again. This’ll inspire me to pick it up again
Gorgeous casey, looks great on you!
Aw, I love this! I’ve made a couple of circular skirts this year, and it always gives me such satisfaction.
Love the skirt! It is so gorgeous and makes me wish that I had put in some time for sewing this week. I keep on forgetting too…. Which is bad because I am still learning and will never actually get there without the practise!
xox,
b. of Depict This!
It’s adorable!!
Beautiful! I wish I had half your sewing skills! It would take me forever to sew a skirt as half as beautiful as this one!
http://www.adventuresofagirlfromthenaki.blogspot.com
Great job. I love the color and print, pocket and trim. Looks great on you.
That bag is so cute, too.
Oh, what a lovely skirt that is, Casey!
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Wow, such a lovely material! Thank you for the implied “OK” to use so-called “other” material for sewing projects, provided it’s apropriate of course. There have been a couple of materials I’ve loved that I passed up ’cause they were considered incorrect – but weight-wise they would have been grand!
Looking fabu, as always!!
I have the same fabric, it has been waiting for two years already to become something! Your skirt turned out real pretty.
I also had another fabric from the same ikea series but that piece actually ended up at curtains recently
I have that same fabric lined up to use for some throw pillows. Good choice!
What a pleasant surprise! I’ve been super busy so I haven’t checked in a while and I got to see what you finally did with that fabric from our shopping trip so long ago! We actually went to Charlotte to Ikea this weekend… our first time since our trip last year since Charlotte is 2.5 hours away. I’m, also, jealous of your day trip in the next post… I recongnized where you were as soon as I saw the sidewalk
Miss you all! Call me! My cell died and I lost all of my contacts. LOTS happening with the Kelly Clan 
Your outfit looks lovely and the fabric is sooooo nice., it realy suits the cut.
Hello Casey,
I’ve found you through my new friend’s blog Q!
She did a dress trade post! and let me tell you, that dress is super lovely. Love your blog as well!
Have a great rest of the weekend.
Sincerely,
Fabiola “Fab”