I'm sat here at my little table in the kitchen. Yes, there is a pile of washing needs to be done, the washing up too. My Labrador friend is sat sleeping by my feet. I've got homemade tomato and lentil soup bubbling away on the hob and a fresh coffee right here. BBC Radio 2 is playing in the background. I could be my mum years ago - except she would be stood beside her twin tub washing machine for the next couple of hours - not Me!
I am here to post some pictures of the skirt I am trying to make. I haven't made clothes for years, and my body shape has certainly become more ... urm...characterful over time and not so standard when it comes to fit. So I discover!
The Skirt
The skirt itself is quite easy to put together and I have really enjoyed the new terminology (being used to patchwork and quilting) a fresh challenge. But between you and me I am bored with it now and fighting the urge to shove it in a bag! But maybe blogging about it will force me to complete the waist and hem. Or maybe it's just a distraction..
So here is the pattern. I chose a suede effect fabric which feels nice and will be good to wear in the winter. It was also only £10 a meter and there is enough left for a bag.
I have had this jug for years but liked the flower design for an applique pocket using the rusty red and woven green fabrics - which are both patchwork materials.
I took a photo of the image and printed it in a couple of sizes. Then just laid some thin white printer paper over the top and re drew the image in black. I simplified the leaf area to make it easier to cut fabric shapes. For the flower itself I wanted to cut one piece of material and use dark stitching to outline the detail of individual petals.
TIP For Suede effect fabric
- Blue tip Janome machine needle 75/11 is thin, sharp and has a shaft to protect thread as the needle punches through the fabric.
- Use a cloth to protect right side of fabric when ironing, otherwise iron will mark the surface.
I used the same needle, lowered feed dogs and tension to 3, I also swapped the presser foot to a darning foot. Using the same brown poly cotton thread already in the machine I stitched an outline a few times. It was quick and lots of fun. This technique allows a margin of error too -which always helps.
I like the folky kind of look. Makes me think that barge art images might translate into some nice applique designs..
Split stitch hand embroidery
The little tendrils I am not so pleased with. I would use chain stitch next time as it's neater and gives a similar effect. I should have used 4 strands instead of 3 as the thread doesn't split evenly either side of the needle. But overall I like it enough not to change it!
My next skirt post will have it finished!
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