Mermaid Circle Skirt


Skirt photos: (taken on the deck outside of my sewing studio)

Well, this isn't a photo of my skirt, but it is a photo from the deck outside my sewing studio. It's such a glorious Fall day, mild temperatures, sunshine, and not a cloud in the sky. Now to the skirt:

I fell in love with this fabric when I saw it in the sale room at Paron's Annex in NYC. The colors are gorgeous, and some of my favorites. The mermaid motif, while perhaps risque to some eyes, looked enchanting to me.

Every summer I make at least one full circle skirt. I love wearing them for their comfort and because they can really showcase pretty prints. Somehow the summer got away from me this year, so my summer circle skirt became my autumn circle skirt instead.

I wore this outfit today (with some beige espadrilles tied with paprika ribbon) to a Sunday brunch at our friends' home. It got rave reviews, so that was nice too, besides enjoying a delicious brunch with a group of interesting guests.

Closeup:

Lining view:





And a couple more views. The top, jacket and belt are purchased.





Pattern used:

Self-drafted pattern using the instructions on this website:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/crispin.roche/circular.htm




Materials:

Skirt: Rayon print from Paron's Annex, New York City

Poly lining from stash

Mettler 100% Poly thread

Maxi Lock serger thread

Invisible zipper from stash


Things I did with this project (that weren't in the pattern instructions):


There were no instructions, so I just did the simple skirt assembly, using stay tape at the waist, and lining the waist to the edge (no waistband).

An invisible zipper was inserted in the left side seam.

The hem was finished using the rolled hem setting on my serger.

Things I learned (or was reminded of) in this project:

I was pleased with the skirt layout, placing the center front on the lengthwise grain and the side seams on the selvedges. This makes the side front and side back areas lie on the bias. With a print, I wanted the central motif to be right side up at the center front. This means that the orientations of the other images fell where they may. Because the center front was also on the straight of the grain, there were fewer folds in that area, so that motif was the most openly visible there (and in the center back, of course).

Things I would do differently were I to repeat this project:

This was such a simple project, that there is really nothing to improve upon. I've made several circle skirts in the past, and this skirt goes to join its cousins in my wardrobe.