Have you made something and want to show it off? This is the place for your photos or just talk about the things that you have made or would like to make. All crafts from knitting and crochet to woodwork, in fact anything that you have made!
I don't know how handy you are with a needle, but I have made the skirt in your photo a few times out of odds and sods of material, but it is best with something very light.
My quick method that involves little or no skill:
I have sometimes found the big bands of elastic or cut them from skirts that have worn out or found in charity shops or car boots (look for those awful boob tubes that were the fashion no too long ago and you may find that they are the perfect size for a skirt!!)
- and then just takena rectangle of material, hem it top and bottom, and then join the short sides together, so that you have a big loop, then gather with some tacking stick across the top edge, pull the elastic across a couple of chair backs to stretch it to size, then pin the material and hand sew it to the elastic, then when contracted it gathers into little pleats. - best done with tulle, or light viscose materials and a ready made thick elastic or webbing edge.
Monika
2010 is my year of projects - 365 days and 365 projects.
It looks shirred at the top - and if you have a machine it's really easy to do. Just get a spool of elastic thread and thread your bobbin with it. (Make sure it it doesn't slip out of the bobbin tension) and then sew with a long stitch (I use a 4) The bobbin will automatically stretch your elastic to gather the fabric. I just usually sew each row a presser foot from the next. Use regular thread on the machine, either the same colour or a contrasting one. The width should be twice as wide you waist. Once you've got your shirred waistband you should be able to gather and attach a nice floaty fabric for the rest of the skirt. I think I may have a go at this before the summer hits too.
thanks, they are some great replies. i have a machine so i will try using that with the elastic thread.
it may sound funny, but i find that where i live charity shops are actually quite expensive. i suppose its because rents and rates are higher in London then in a small town, but it does seem odd when a 2nd hand skirt is more expensive then a cheap new one.
i think i may cut the bottom of a stretchy top that i no longer want to use for the top band, i think it'll work and i recon i could get two out of two out of it
dont use the machine to thread the bobbin with shirring elastic. do it by hand or it wont gather properly. i made that mistake when i first started shirring!!
oh how I love my tea, tea in the afternoon. I can't do without it, and I think I'll have another cup very
ve-he-he-he-heryyyyyyy soooooooooooon!!!!
I recently had to come up with a quick and easy 17thC skirt for a bit of dramatic presentation.
The Sealed Knot would mock me, but it actually looks quite effective.
I took half a blue blanket, and sewed the shorter edges together. Then I cut down about six inches on the side opposite the seam - so I could get the thing over my hips. It's held up by a long narrow band that binds the top edge front and back, with enough loose at the ends to tie a knot at each side. Then I cover the knots with a sash.
I'm thinking of trying something similar in cotton for everyday wear - I have a pair of Liberty curtains I was given.
"The best way to get real enjoyment out of the garden isto put on a wide straw hat, hold a little trowel in one hand and a cool drink in the other, and tell the man where to dig."
Charles Barr
I had a quick look at it in Waterstones the other day and it did actually seem quite good - there seemed to be a fairly good variety of different patterns and ideas
Thought of this thread when I saw it, so.... here i am!
