Nautical-Inspired Circle Skirt

Hey Guys!

I’m not sure if you’ll be happy (or sad) to hear that my nautical-fever hasn’t abated yet.  I myself am super stoked, but I don’t have any more immediate Nautical sewing plans.

Outfit Details:

Hat: Estate Chicago, during the Modern Vintage Chicago event
Lipstick: Aphrodite color from the brand Napoleon
Blouse: My white cotton Violet, pattern by Colette
Skirt: Linda Skirt Pattern by BurdaStyle, in a red linen-look cotton blend
Shoes: Navy & white striped espadrille/wedges, Naturalizer (last year)

This past week’s SW (I’m now abbreviating Sew Weekly) challenge was to sew a circle skirt.  I was very optimistic about sewing a skirt during the week last week, but time & lack of motivation had gotten the best of me when I found myself on Friday without a project started.

I was looking more and more for inspiration online that would re-motivate me to sewing my skirt, I’d even created a special pinterest board to house all of my circle skirt ideas.  But as Saturday rolled around with no skirt in sight, I sat down at my sewing/dining room table to jot down some of my ideas and focus.  I looked up briefly at my shelves and saw what I should be been working with the entire time… my own stash for inspiration!

I have a jar of random notions at the tippy-top of one of my bookshelves; it’s in clear glass so I can see at all times what I have in there without weeding through things.  Anyhow… I had bought some navy and white striped elastic last year at the mega Textile Discount Outlet (the same one that Tilly and I visited on Friday).  I’d been meaning to use it as a waistband to create a nautical skirt and I’ve just never gotten around to it.

One major thing that was holding me back was the fabric.  I don’t usually buy red fabric and I’ve never had any in my stash that I thought I could use for it.  (I was sooo wrong!!)

Last year I made this kitschy 1/2 circle skirt that I love, but often goes unworn.

I had a large remnant left over from this project and I never knew what I could use it for.  I’d wanted to make a skirt out of it but how many red skirts does a girl need… or so I told myself last year.  Plus I didn’t think I had enough yardage for another full skirt.

I have no idea how I eeek-ed enough fabric out of my prior remnant for this skirt, but somehow I did.  I used the Linda Skirt pattern from BurdaStyle which is my go-to for a basic, circle skirt.

I’ve made a few Linda’s already and I’m thinking it’s not a true circle skirt.  I don’t have quite the same twirl factor as other that I’ve seen.

This seems to be the classic-Liz twirl pose. I have no idea why I raise my arms up like I do.  heh

The construction was super easy.  I didn’t do anything fancy with it and as a result, this is my fastest project to date!  I cut the fabric on Saturday night which took (maybe) 30-45 mins because I cut all the pieces flat and had to contend with the funky remnant to be sure I could cut out all 4 pieces.

I started sewing the pieces together on Sunday late morning and was done in an hour, two at the very most.  I serged all of the seams, stitched the elastic on, and then did the hem.  I generally don’t do my hems by machine but I wanted this skirt to remain casual and finished it with a simple double fold hem, 1/4″ wide.

All day on Sunday I was telling Felix we were going to go out and take photos of my circle skirt.  He was like “You suuuure you’re going to be done in time???”  I’d told him I would be, and I think he was actually reeling from how fast I whipped up this skirt.

Sewing goes really quickly when there’s no hand stitching or zippers to insert!

Elastic-1, Zipper-0.

I just bought this red lipstick last week, the day of my Nautical Dress Photoshoot.  Since then I’ve worn it on 2 different occasions and I surprisingly love how loud it is.  I’ve found that it really makes my vintage inspired outfits *pop* a bit more.

Oh… and how do you like my new hat?!

I just bought this hat last Saturday and was smitten by it.  The sash is very Madeline, but the rest of it reminds me of a sweet summer picnic.  I wasn’t intending to wear it with this outfit, but as soon as I threw it on *just to see* it was perfect and stayed on for the whole shoot.  Can you spy the little flowers that are at the base of the hat too?

So, what other nautical-inspired pieces shall I sew next?  Just teasing….or am I?!  heh

P.S.  It’s my birthday today.  :)  Felix is taking me out on the town and I’m going to be wearing my Nautical dress for the occasion.

In: Sewing

Blogger for 6 years and counting, I am a passionate creator who loves to tinker.

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