My Version of the Picnic Blanket Skirt


OK, there's not really anything picnic blanket-y about my version of Tilly's skirt. I was going to call it my 'Saucy Sailor' skirt, but there isn't anything remotely saucy about a knee length skirt either, so 'Sailor Skirt' it is. I made this last weekend and have already worn in twice.

Here's my project review:

Pattern Used

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I thought it was a great classic pattern for a type of skirt I knew would suit me, and I would get a lot of use from. Although the mathematics you need to calculate the size of the pattern pieces might look daunting, they really aren't, and it's interesting to see the calculations that go behind making the pattern work. You'll need to work out the size of the pieces before going fabric shopping, but I ended up buying 2.3 metres (as Tilly did) and this was a good amount for me.

Of course, the skirt is customisable, so you'd be able to use less fabric if you made it less gathered.

Fabric & Notions 
Kitschy striped anchor print cotton and red buttons from Remnant Kings. I'd spotted this fabric a couple of weeks ago and when Tilly blogged about the pattern, I knew that this skirt was the perfect project for it. A dress made from this fabric would have felt too much like a costume (for my tastes!), but a skirt was perfect. This would be the ideal skirt to wear to a Jubilee River Pageant - shame I'm a bit late!


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made
Tilly's pattern is a set of instructions which can be customised to suit, but I didn't do much different apart from make a wider waistband (2" instead of 1.5"). Her recommended gathering amount of 2.1 was spot on for me (this might not make sense till you've read the pattern!).
Would you sew it again and do anything different next time?
I'd definitely make it again. Next time I would make the pockets a little higher up, probably just below the waistband.

Did you use any new techniques?
Yes! I used mock French seams. I didn't need to, but decided to try the technique out.

Would you recommend it to others?
Definitely

Cost
£21
Conclusion
I'm really happy with my new skirt, and only wish I'd taken a photo of me twirling in it!



 

K x

p.s I've linked this posted into Ta Dah! Tuesday, hosted by Faith, Hope and Charity Shopping.

33 comments:

  1. I love it - great fabric!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  2. Ooh nice fabric choice! I'd quite like to have a go at that tutorial. I bought a skirt pattern very similar when I started sewing. Makes ya feel like a chump when you realise how easy it is to draft!
    This looks great on you and the top you have paired it with is so pretty!

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  3. Very nice! Tilly will be thrilled.

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  4. Love this! I'm going to go check out her tutorial!

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  5. What a perfect summer skirt! The print is so much fun, without being over the top. Fantastic job.

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  6. It's fabulous Kerry, looks totally swirl appropriate! Gorgeous fabric too....I bet you'll get lots of use out of it ;-)

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  7. This is gorgeous Kerry, love it! I've been eyeing up that fabric on Fabricland recently...I want! I've got my skirt all cut out and ready to go, hoping to get some (or all if lucky) of it done this weekend!

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  8. You are really killing it with the fabric choices lately! This is sickawesome.

    (And yeah, I totally would wear a hat like that. Which is why I already have two equally absurd ones. A girl only needs one hat covered in birds in this life, I think... :) )

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    1. (Also, yes! Watch Cry-Baby! You will regret nothing! It is brilliant, hilarious, and only 90 minutes long anyway)

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    2. ME TOO, me too. I am Cry-Baby theming a whole sewalong right now and honestly like 70% of why is so I have an excuse to watch it about 97 times...

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    3. I'm really going to have to watch this film!

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    4. OMG Cry Baby is one of my all time favourite films! I was completely obsessed with it as a kid and still love it now (my dad recently bought me a massive poster of it).

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  9. Oooh, I love how the skirt turned out! That fabric is adorable. I need to hurry up and try out Tilly's tutorial. :)

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  10. Cute skirt! I love the fabric. I'm in awe of people who see a sewalong and just make something. Just like that. I'm terrible for procrastinating. Two thumbs up :)

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    1. Thanks! This came along at just the right time for me and it's a quick project too.

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  11. really lovely - perfect choice of fabric :)

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  12. Really nice. I'm going to make one in red gingham!

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  13. I LOVE that! Totally adorable! And I do think knee-length can too be saucy, though I think this is quite kicky! ;)

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  14. Oh man I'm totally in love with this skirt! I have a really similar pattern I was planning to pull out since I can't seem to find any knee length skirts to wear tightsless (ok I'm tall but they must exist somewhere!) :)

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    1. It can be hard to find long enough skirts as a tall person - you should definitely make your own! :)

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  15. It's gorgeous, and I love the funky fabric! I am definately going to make one of these. :)

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  16. I love it! Just the right amount of quirkiness to the print! I'd love to see a twirling you in it...

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  17. Thanks everyone! I really recommend giving the skirt a go.

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  18. Hooray! It's great! Really cool choice of fabric. And I'm glad the pattern instructions worked for you... although I think you're right about the pockets, so I'm going to amend the instructions to make them a little higher.

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  19. LOVE this slirt - that fabric is amazing! Looks great as a skirt. Definitely going to have to gove this skirt a go at some point.

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  20. How cute! You look adorable! I love it so much! The skirt has just the right amount of volume!

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  21. I LOVE that skirt! It looks great on you. I'm totally the wrong shape for that skirt shape but I do love it.

    I bought that EXACT same fabric for my sister-in-law for Christmas along with a Crescent skirt pattern! Wishing I'd never given it to her now... ;)

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  22. What a great make - love the fabric and agree it is perfect as a skirt. It suits you really well and I like it with the red t-shirt (and I have some nail varnishes which would go perfectly!)

    Would you mind adding a link in the post please?

    x

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  23. SO lovely!! That fabric is just the best, and the red buttons make the anchors pop! It's such a fantastic piece!

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  24. This is fab! what a great fabric, perfect for the design!

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  25. I love this version and I do think it is sexy! :) Love the red buttons too! I nearly bought this fabric from our shop too. :P

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Thanks for reading and commenting - I love to hear what you have to say