Sewing Projects

Romance Skirt

Every girl needs that perfect swishy skirt that makes her feel like she’s the star of one of those arty French films – this is that skirt! It’s perfect for strolling along the Seine in the late afternoon or making your office party a little more chic!

MATERIALS

• 90 cm (1 yd) fusible webbing
• 90 cm (1 yd) sheer fabric with a large floral print
• Dressmaking sheers
• Taffeta full skirt
• Matching and contrasting threads
• Hand needle
• Sequins

To make

1. Peel off paper from one side of the fusible webbing. Place the sheer fabric over it - right side up. Iron fabric so that it adheres to webbing without any puckers.

2. Cut out several motifs in different sizes from fused fabric to make appliqués.

3. Peel off the other side of paper backing from the appliqués. Arrange appliqués on skirt in desired pattern. Set your iron to a temperature that matches the fabric of your skirt and appliqués. Place a pressing cloth over appliqués when fusing so fabric isn’t damaged.

4. Machine stitch, using straight stitch and matching thread along the edge of all appliqués. For added interest, stitch in random patterns within the appliqué shapes as well.

5. Using the contrast thread, sew around bottom of the skit in a random wavy, meandering line, running straight in a few places. You can also sew around waistband if skirt has one.

6. Sew sequins to skirt in a random pattern of meandering lines.

Handy Hints
You could also cut out some of the larger motifs from a floral printed non- sheer fabric to make the skirt. Just make sure the fabric is light enough in weight so that the taffeta skit can support all of the motifs.

An alternative idea is to use some small lace doilies or crotchet motifs as your appliqué pieces.

Further information

This project was reproduced with kind permission from Collins & Brown. Creative Embellishing by Kayte Terry (ISBN 9781843404613) guarantees to banish boring garments from the wardrobe, create some stylish accessories or give a new lease of life to home furnishings using the embellishment ideas in this great title. Using a diverse range of techniques including fabric painting, embroidery, appliqué, crochet, beading and felting; author Kayte Terry shows how to transform 25 simple items into exciting pieces. Garment ideas include adding ruffles, collar, studs, ribbon embroidery and appliqué to jazz up a basic skirt or top. The accessories section shows how to trim shoes, adorn a headband with crochet flowers and brighten up a bag with bold appliqué. The final section focuses on home décor and presents ideas for a novel Trompe L’Oeil lampshade and decorating napkins or towels with printing and embroidery. Many of the projects are quick and simple to make so there’s no need to be an expert and a step-by-step photo guide demonstrates all the necessary techniques. This is a handy ‘ideas’ book for those who love to create something original and who appreciate the value of recycling. Published in hardback by Collins & Brown, this supper title is available via good bookshops – priced at £16.99.