Sewing Projects
Gypsy Skirt
A pretty, gypsy-style skirt for all occasions - this design could be worn with boots, sandals or even dancing shoes. The pink pale green in the tie and frill are set off by the sparkly gold trim. With its tassels and frill, this skirt has a hint of the flamenco dancer’s flamboyance – definitely an outfit to get your toes tapping!
MATERIALS
* Woven, tasselled scarf
* Wide gold ribbon
* Purple and yellow upholstery ribbon
* 2 belt loops cut from old jeans
* Fabric scissors
* Matching thread
Customise it
1. Cut the woven scarf in half lengthways and remove the tassels from one piece.
2. Cut a piece of thread long enough to run the full length of the scarf. Sew a neat running stitch along one edge of the piece of scarf from which you have removed the tassels.
Pull ends of the thread to gather the fabric lightly, making sure the gathers are even. The gathered strip should be the same length as the base of the skirt. Secure with a knot.
3. Pin, baste and then machine stitch the gathered section to the bottom of the skirt.
4. Machine stitch the wide gold ribbon above the top edge of the gathered section, with a thin strip of patterned upholstery ribbon on top, overlapping 
both the gold ribbon and the top of the gathered section. Sew two belt loops cut from an old pair of jeans onto the hips of the skirt and thread through the tasselled piece of scarf to use as a belt.
Further information
This project is from Decorating Denim by Alison Spanyol (ISBN 9781904991908) priced at £12.99 and published by Cico Books, tel: 01256 302699. Denim jeans and garments are wardrobe staples for most of us and this super book contains a wealth of ideas for personalising items. This super guide features 35 projects for transforming ordinary styles into something a little more special using a variety of easy sewing techniques such as appliqué, embroidery, beading, fabric painting and cutwork. For further information visit the ISEW book review page by clicking on this link - http://www.isew.co.uk/book-p-00015.htm.
