Waltzing Matilda Skirt

I have used this pattern before to make my Measuring tape skirt, which you can see here.  I decided that since I had a skirt representing numbers, I'd better have a skirt representing letters too, and as soon as I saw Quentin Blake's sweet illustrations of Roald Dahl's book worm Matilda on fabric, I knew I'd found perfect skirt making material!  It's a wonderful book, and the movie is pretty good too.

Fabric is from Plush Addict

I've used Butterick 5285 again, and again have made it too big for myself!  I used the finished garment waist measurement that is marked on the paper pattern piece to decide which size to do, and even then thought I was going to have to spend my days breathing in whilst wearing it, but this pattern seems to run big, both times I've made it up.

But it is still wearable, and I do love it!

For the waistband I chose a Robert Kaufman Kona Solid in the pomegranate colour and it matches perfectly to the flying pink books.

I love having a skirt with pockets!  Whenever I wear a skirt without them I always seem to be slapping my sides to find something that isn't there, or scooping my hand at the side seam only to be reminded that there is no pocket at all!

I made the box pleat version of this skirt, and the back to pleats fold right up to hide the zip.  Luckily for me, as I only had a yellow one to put into this skirt!

And in my hot little hand is a Tilly and the Buttons tote bag!  Available here in her shop.

Measuring tape Skirt

I have made myself a skirt at long last!

Here's a little pocket detail to pique your interest

I own well over 40 skirts and yet unbelievably this is only the second skirt that I have ever made.  I have been giving this a bit of thought and I think it comes down to two things.  First, it is all the lovely fabrics that shop-bought skirts are made from.  So many colours and textures that I am always spoiled for choice and have always been able to find skirts that I love.  Secondly, skirts don't seem to be a popular garment where I live.  Most women that I see at work, out shopping or in business seem to wear black trousers or jeans.  Which means most skirts don't sell and end up in the next season's sale racks - ready for me to snap up at a bargain price!

So here it is - my new skirt!

I bought this fabric last year from Mandors in Glasgow, served by the lovely Hazel (the first blogger that I ever met in real life).  I chose the brighter version of this fabric because I wear reds, purples, mustards and sometimes aqua, so even though it is quite a bold palette, it will integrate well into my wardrobe.

I usually wear skirts with the tee shirts over the top of the waist bands.

The pattern is Butterick 5285, I made up view D.  It has 6 pleats at the front and 6 on the back but aren't top-stitched.  The other great thing is that it has pockets!  I was able to create the pockets using just one of those quilter's fat quarters, which gives the pockets a little surprising touch.

I had originally planned to self-draft this skirt, as part of my Fall Essentials Sew Along, but saw that a website I was buying some thread from also had this previously-out-of-print pattern available!  I was over the moon, as I had seen Margo make some lovely skirts with this pattern.  The skirt pattern is very versatile, but the front piece needs to be cut from 150cm wide fabric, which mine wasn't, so I now have a seam up the middle - but you can't tell with this vertically striped fabric anyway.

Posterior for Posterity!  Remember to try to include a back shot ladies.
I was so keen to get these photos taken that I still need to attach the hook & eye to the waistband.

Linking up with Project Sewn: Signature Style.  I love wearing skirts with a blazer and boots, and I work with numbers so this skirt and outfit combination is right up my alley.  I have been getting lots of positive comments when I wear this too!