Phew, an evening of frantic hemstitching, and my circle skirt is ready for Casey's sew along party! I actually missed the entire sew along, but since I'd been planning this skirt for some time (I've actually had the fabric since early spring!), when I read that she was planning a second 'party' post I thought I'd join in. So here we are. 
I was ages deciding how to embellish my skirt - there were so many designs I wanted to make, but many of the applique ideas I liked wouldn't work on the dark grey background. Then, looking through some of the pre-cut felt appliques available in the 1956 Sears catalogue, I remembered a celluloid brooch I'd seen once in the shape of a telephone, with the cord forming the word "Hello". I found a picture of the brooch (it's quite a common design, and comes up quite regularly on ebay) and digitally sketched out the template. 
I ordered soutache braid to use as the cord, but as I knew it wouldn't arrive in time for me to finish the skirt for the party I bought ric rac to stand in temporarily. But having attached the ric rac, I've decided I like it so much I'm going to leave it as it is. 
To sew the appliques I used the machine, but hand-turned the wheel to sew ultra-slowly for more control, repositioning the fabric frequently to get round the tight curves. The buttons on the telephone dial I stitched on by hand, and the same for the ric rac (I would have done it by machine, but I wanted it to be easily removable as I intended it to be temporary). 
So here we have it, the London Calling circle skirt. I'm very pleased with it and I think it's going to be a winter wardrobe staple - it's basically a wearable blanket. 
Pattern: Simplicity 4752 from 1954
Fabric: a heavyweight, felt-like wool (I guess a coating?). Wool/rayon felt for the appliques.
Make again? Oh yes! This is to be the first of an entire wardrobe of wacky circle skirts - I'm already planning at least three more!
If you're interested in making your own version, I've also shared the template I used for the telephone appliques.
I love it! It's gorgeous! I have a liking for anything with a retro telephone motif, but I've never seen a skirt like this before.
ReplyDeleteMay I ask where you managed to get the fabric from? I can never find any wide enough to accommodate the pattern I have.
ReplyDeletePossibly the coolest skirt ever! I like your choise of colours.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, without a doubt, one of my favourite versions I've seen so far. I'm now ashamed of mine..hehe! The appliques is just brilliant...I may have to steal it (or a version of it) for a future project. Love it, you look gorgeous in it!
ReplyDeleteLovely skirt!!!
ReplyDeletehehe, the "telephone" idea is so cute!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute design! And I love the ric rac as the cord <3 xx
ReplyDeleteMelanie, I got the fabric from a shop in Goldhawk road in London. It's 60" wide and I think it was about £10 per metre; the circle skirt required something like three metres.
ReplyDeletexx Charlotte
Fab! just so 'right'
ReplyDeleteOh! Lovely!! I loved the applique! I want to do one like that!!! may I copy that telephone?
ReplyDeleteHow adorable! :D Can't wait to see what you come up with next!
ReplyDeleteI had wondered about a circle skirt in wool- and I think you have convinced me! I had never considered the fact it was a wearable blanket ;)
ReplyDeleteIt looks great though- I wonder if my Joann's has a nice wool I can use (this time last year we were on Goldhawk road- our Hammersmith Tube had been stopped, so a lost me and family had to find our way back to the hotel... anyway, I noticed all of those fabric shops- but never stopped to look. I sincerely regret it now!)
Oh it is simply lovely, well done you always look so elegant! x
ReplyDeleteThis is just so much FUN! Adorable and unique. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you for replying xx
ReplyDeleteI had no luck in Portsmouth when I looked there, so my pattern is untouched, but it's getting a bit nippy for cottons so I shall widen my search.
Melanie xx
It's so cute! I love the applique :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! And what a fun, beautifully made appliqué. I also missed Casey's sew-along, but seeing her skirt and yours, now I'm itching to make one too!
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful, well done. I have been looking for 60' wide fabric for a long time now, but it seems to be almost impossible to find. All I could come up with was sheeting.
ReplyDeleteI used to do a lot of applique, years ago, both machine and hand.
OH! I am in love with your skirt. It looks so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic! I just love it! Your applique is stunning. I'm currently working on my fourth circle skirt, and am rather addicted. Additionally, since I was able to find fabric wide enough to use to make the skirt the old-fashioned way, I don't use a pattern.
ReplyDelete-Janey
atomicredhead.com
After reading the post on the skit you have just made I had to have a look at this one too. Again, fabulous! I think the ric rac works really well as cord for the telephone too : )
ReplyDelete