Here’s a little something that wasn’t on my mahoosive Christmas to do list! So it’s a small miracle that it’s being blogged here and now. Each and every year at around about this time, I say out loud, over and over that next year I will start earlier with Christmas prep: do my accounts in September, the Christmas presents in October, get the cards sent in November and not take on quite so much work so I can ease in gently and revel in the lead up! Perhaps next year I might take note.
So with all this month’s stressy stuff going on, how on earth did I get it together to make anything new? I stole sleep. Robbed it, right from under my own nose. Three whole precious hours. Doesn’t sound like much in the grand scheme of things but when you are only averaging about five to six as it is, the motive would have to have been significantly necessary. Well I did need an outfit for the office lunch!
I’d like to say it was an impulse make but to be honest I spend a lot of time dreaming about what I want to make so when I eventually get round to making it, it feels like I’ve made it before, at least 4 or 5 times in my head!
I love the Westwood/punk/vintage/rockabilly vibe of tartan. I know that it has deeper, traditional roots and I even have some distant Scottish blood so it feels highly appropriate and very festive!
The skirt is self-drafted full circle with a waistband and lapped zipper. I didn’t line it and chose, instead to finish the insides with Hong Kong seams and a bias finished hem. I feel slightly guilty for machining the hem but I think that’s a small price to exchange for some shut-eye! I’m wearing a tiered organza petticoat underneath. Just one layer. Just to give it a bit of poof!
And I went for a shorter length this time. I’ve recently been hooked on below the knee pencil skirts so this 17 incher feels much more party like. Just had to be ready for any embarrassing fashion blunders in this blustery weather.
Tartan was most definitely the right fabric for the job.
The drape is perfect.
It doesn’t need lining.
Its a dream to sew.
Bit fraying but with quick work and seam binding , that’s not really an issue.
It doesn’t crease
Its totally machine washable.
It only took a metre . . .
. . . and only cost a fiver!
I didn’t have too much trouble lining up the horizontal patterns but if I allowed a bit more time I could have evened up the design at the sides a bit more. I did however leave it to hang for the statutory 24 hours before trimming and hemming. I know how worth it that bit is now!
I can’t see me getting anything else sewn this side of Christmas, unfortunately. I simply have no idea how I thought I might have chance to finish my coat. The muslin is made and I know what adjustments I need to make but the fabric is going to be looking longingly at me for a few weeks more, I think.
So in the meantime I will just have to resign to the wardrobe what is and twirl in my new tartan . . . while I’m running around like a headless chicken!
Thanks as always to the fabulous Daniel Selway for his tireless photography favours.
And also to the wonderful Jayne Hepsibah-Sullivan whose Hepsibah Gallery window makes a perfect backdrop!
What is not to like…..!!!
Happy Christmas to you and yours…..Jots
Thank you Jots. All the very best to you and yours too x
It is lovely and perfect for Xmas! Maybe next year I start the preparation earlier as well….
Thank you RPT! Perhaps we should give each other a jog, come September 2014!
Good idea! I will have to put somewhere a reminder 🙂
I love plaid & your skirt looks great on you! Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays.
Thank you Beverly. And a very merry Christmas to you too x
Fabulous! And I am a firm believer in taking time to make something for YOU in the midst of gift-sewing, so you don’t feel like a slave to you gifting! And how did you make that snow across your pictures? Love it! Now off to look up Hong Kong seams….
So much fun! I am a firm believer in taking the time to make something for YOU midst your gift-sewing, so that you don’t feel a slave to your gifting and have the joy sucked out of it. And how did you get snow to fall across your pics? Love it! Now off to look up Hong Kong seams…
Thank you Rachel. I’m afraid the snow was care of WordPress. I believe there is a setting in the control panel. Wish I was that clever!
Ahh Janene I loved reading this post so much. The skirt is so lovely and perfect for Christmas, love the twirling pic and those boots. Swoon! More great photos too. I have hung up my sewing boots now until the new year too. Have a lovely Christmas doll xxxx
Thank you sweetipops. All the loveliest of Christmas wishes to you and yours xxx
I’m so jealous of your fabulous wintery Christmas. It is 30 degrees here and it doesn’t feel Christmassy at all. How can it be when I am wearing shorts and a tee?? 🙁
Oh how I would swap snow for sun! Grass is always greener on the other side, hey?! You could always appliqué a christmas tree with baubles on your Tee! 😉
Love the skirt and the gorgeous photos! No one’s ever ready for Christmas – have a merry one.
Thank you 🙂 This much is true. Wouldn’t matter how much earlier I started!
Love the tartan! Very much Vivian Westwood to myself as well.
Thank you Honora 🙂
Fantastic skirt, very viviennesque … and holy shit I am in lust with your shoes. It is an insane time of year so kudos for squeezing in any personal sewing time. Anyhow, rumour has it sleep is for cissies! 🙂 p.s. thanks for the blog reminder about accounts (eek, something else now on my list).
Haha. Thank you for your lovely comment. Made me laugh out loud. In an odd sort of way. Just came back from the dentist so my smile is an odd one!
Fantastic skirt. You obviously don’t need it but I was just looking at ByHand’s useful app they’ve made available which does the maths for you when making a quarter, half or full circle skirt.
Fabulous photos as usual and I love those boots.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Thank you Tialys. Those BHL girls are so good at everything! I’ve mastered the art of pie from making a few of these but had I not, that app would have been perfect! Happy Christmas to you too 🙂
I just adore this on you & the photos are just marvelous! Now you have me busting to make a circle skirt and the By Hand London app appears to be an enabler.
Thank you honey. It’s such a breeze. So long as you machine the hem! x
I’ve got a rolled hem foot for that job now 🙂
Ooh I like this one. Very flippy and swishy. Hope you had a good party! I fully support your decision to sew the hem by the way. Can’t be hand sewing a circle skirt at this time of year!
Thank you Amy. Party was great, and well behaved! Can’t imagine how long it would have taken to hand hem! :-/
Awesome skirt, wonderful shoes!
Gorgeous, as usual & those shoes… *swoon*! Merry Christmas!
Thank you lovely Anne. Have a wonderful time x
Lovely, and such a fun outfit!
Thank you DD x
Ahh these photos make me feel very festive indeed! That skirt is a WIN!!! It’s so adorable on you, and look at your teensy little waist in it! 🙂 I really like the photo where you’re mirroring the pose of the wooden mannequin on the other side of the window. I’ve often thought that you and your photographer there need to be published – your photos are truly works of art, as are your lovely makes 🙂
Thank you sweets. Though I really am not convinced that my waist is that tiny. I think it’s a clever lens! I will defo pass on your comments. He seriously needs to do something with his photos next year. I’d love to share the other stuff he’s been photographing 🙂
Just divine! Christmassy and festive without being over stated.
Thank you VK. x
You look adorable!
Thanks LGP 🙂
So festive, enjoy wearing it.
Thank you. I will indeed! 🙂
This is such a cute skirt! It’s so perfect for the holidays!
Thank you. 🙂
I am totally in love with this entire outfit, love it!
Thanks Jeanette. I think I need more skirts like this, uh oh!
That first photo is so great! Love a tartan circle skirt, you styled it so wonderfully. Those shoes! The little umbrella! Great job!
Thank you Cherie 🙂
Very, very lovely! Tartan was the perfect choice for the design and the festive season! And your accessories (shoes and brollie) are killer!
Do you mind sharing where you bought those FANTABULOUS shoes?
Not at all… Office Shoes. They are called Lola Ramona! 🙂
I’m very behind on my blogroll, but I saved this post in order to make sure I left you a comment to know how wonderful I think this skirt is! It’s perfection. I’m extra pleased that I came back to read up on it, because I didn’t know that tip about letting a circle skirt hang for 24 hours- I learned something new today! Happy New Year!
Thats so sweet of you. Thank you Michelle. 🙂
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