This skirt is the Butterick 5285. Isn’t it pretty? Look at those pleats – perfect for cycling in. They’re perfect, too, for adjusting a fit. Just deepen the pleat if you need to take the skirt in and if you need more room… You get the picture.
I’m so glad this cotton has finally been used as it’s been languishing in my stash box for over a year. The black daisies are appliqued on – so cute. This fabric would not have been expensive – nothing ever is at the Textile Centre in Walthamstow, where I bought it. I’ve noticed that this shop is very good for border prints, so if that’s your bag you know where to head.
The cotton is very fine and light, so I lined the skirt in a red poly-cotton mix off the market. I didn’t want to duplicate the skirt pieces – all those pleats in the lining would have created extra bulk. Instead, I brought out my old faithful vintage pattern for an A line skirt and used that as a template for a simple lining. Perfect! My hope is that the lining will allow me to wear this skirt with leggings when the weather turns colder. But for now, this make is perfectly timed for the last heaving gasp of a British summer. It’s steaming out there.
For another (very different) make of this skirt, check out Erica B!
I’m in Cheltenham this weekend. Anyone know any good, ahem, fabric shops?
Ooh, I love it! The fabric is gorgeous, and those little black flowers make it perfect 🙂
Ashley x
Cute one! I totally love the appliqued fabric – and I’m a sucker for border prints! Too bad don’t spend enough time in London…
I grew up just outside Cheltenham and have always found it somewhat lacking in fabric shops. I’d be very excited if you found any!
Soo cute! I love your t-shirt too.
Karen, this is beautiful! I love border print skirts but haven’t got around to making one yet. Perfect for this Indian Summer, but it’ll also look great in the Autumn – I’m seeing a black scoop neck knit or a cream mohair cardigan. Plus wooly tights – yay!
Yay! Thanks, Tilly. I think I’ll have to start paying you to be my personal stylist.
Oh wow! Stunning fabric just screaming to be made into a skirt like this. And it has pockets! Yes!
wowza i absolutely love that skirt. the fabric, t
he shape,the pockets… it’s gorgeous! nice pins too karen 😉 i may have to copy
Copy away! It’s such a sweet pattern.
Gorgeous!
I love it Karen! It looks super cute with a tee, but I can imagine it will be very adaptable. Pat yourself on the back for that one!
That is sooo pretty. So pretty. It looks great on you!
Ah, I love a border print and your embellishment makes it even more the treat- so pretty!
I didn’t add the daisy applique – I’d never have the patience. The fabric came like that. But thank you!
Oh, what a lovely border print! I like Tilly’s ideas for transitioning this skirt into autumn, too.
What a great new skirt! I love, love, love the border print!
Oh my, what a BEAUTIFUL skirt Karen! I love that fabric and you could totally wear it in the winter with some wooly tights or leggings. For now enjoy it in the blissful heat! Oh and Erica B’s version is very cool!
The skirt is gorge and the wearer/maker is even more beautiful. You’re looking svelte! Beautiful!
It’s gorgeous!! Love the pockets (very practical!), and the fabric is beautiful.
Such a beautiful skirt and the fabric is sooooo pretty.
Lovely summer skirt! I loved the border and the black appliqued flowers (how practical to get such a nice detail “already-made”). And pockets! Pockets might be the theme for my fall/winter sewing =)
I’m sure the skirt will look great in fall as well, those black flowers should make it easy to team it up with black, knitted tops and thights.
It’s stunning Karen, really gorgeous, you suit that shape of skirt so well. Needless to say I love the fabric too, I like a nice border print. Right, that’s it, I’m coming over to Walthamstow soon, I like the sound of The Textile Centre… x
Very nice border print!
Nice!! and freaky as I pulled out a summer me made today as well to make the most of the ‘last heave’.
That is one cute skirt! Well done 😀
Wonderful!!! Love the border print Clever pleated pattern with pockets too! Cheltenham fabric shops- might be too late as will they be open on Sunday? When I was there recently I found 2 on Albion street. Didn’t go in mind you. Albion street is kind of on the inner ring road at the boots end of town, not Montpellier. If you find the chicken inn you’re just about there! ( my teen years in cheltenham, chicken inn was Saturday lunchtime haunt!!)
What a great shape skirt. And the border pattern really emphasises the fullness at the bottom. I have to say it looks a million times better than the illustration on the pattern front. How often does that happen?! Really lovely, Karen.
Totally your shape. Your waist looks teeny (jealous? moi?)
I’m with Tilly. You could totally layer that upfor the Autmn too.
Nice job!
Wow, that must be some optical illusion. There ain’t no tiny waist going on at Chez Didyoumakethat!
Your skirt is sensational! The fabulous border print and beautiful colour make it a real show-stopper. And perfect for this crazy heatwave weather we are enjoying!
Oh my word – those black flowers are INSPIRED! It looks so… expensive! Stylish! Different! All the things that make it worth while sewing your own. Love it!
love how it turned out. Love the fabric, love the red and white, love the fit. Love the t-shirt too!
What a lovely skirt! I recently tried to make myself a pleated skirt, and while I’m happy with it, I think I much prefer the lines on yours. It’s all a learning experience I suppose. Yours is such a great use of that fabulous border print. Beautiful.
this is really lovely! you totally rock that bright colour!
I agree with the comments about the fabulosity of the skrt. My query is more mundane: does a skirt that long allow you to cycle safely? I only cycle when made to do so, but I’m genuinely curious about how safe that would be? (Obviously it must work or you wouldn’t be telling us it does. But. But I’m curious.)
Totally fair question, Felicity, and I think you have quite rightly spotted that I am pushing the limits of what type of skirt I can cycle in without the hem getting caught in the chain. With those deep pleats, this skirt billows out! Fortunately (or unfortunately!) for me I am currently cycling a man’s bike with a top tube that scoops the skirt up. I suspect that on a woman’s step through bike I could still just about get away with this – but only just.
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Hi Karen. Love, love love your skirt! I am going to attempt to make this same skirt, but with Ikea Fabric I bought. I hope it turns out half as well as yours. I wanted folks to see your version, so I linked to your blogpost here: http://gjeometry.com/2013/03/04/pattern-pyramid-pick-progess-de-80s-fying-and-a-sewing-dare/ I hope that’s ok! 🙂