I made this skirt for Bella last week. She had her first proper visit to her new school, for a couple of hours to meet her teacher and classmates and that gave me the push that I so badly needed to finally make her the new skirt she's been asking for.
She's been taking a much more definite interest in choosing fabrics, which is great but also a little frustrating, because she has the taste of a 4 year old! This combo was decided after a trip to Ikea, when she grabbed the bird print and demanded that I buy some to make a full length dress with (!). I explained to her that, well duh, I already had that fabric at home and promised that I would at the very least make her a skirt out of it.
Bella wanted to team the print with a bright pink fabric, but she happily agreed that the green would look lovely with this purple Liberty print (phew) so away we went!
This skirt pattern is so straight forward and easy that I truly have no excuse for the fact that Bella's wardrobe isn't full of them. Especially when she has chosen a huge pile of fabrics to make skirts out of.
I think this is possibly my favourite skirt yet. I love the combination of the Ikea print and the Liberty, and at only £2 per metre plus a tiny piece of Liberty, it makes it a really cheap skirt too, especially when it took less than a half metre. The only thing I would say is that next time I'll probably line the skirt as the Ikea cotton is just a little thin. But as a summer skirt it's fine the way it is.
We took these photo's last week (the poses are all Bella's own idea - she makes me laugh so much!) but she's wearing the exact same outfit today, which is a good indicator of how much of a hit the skirt is.
And at the risk of boasting just a little myself, I have to say that she was the coolest looking kid at school! But of course, much more importantly, she absolutely loved the couple of hours she spent there and once again made me incredibly proud of how grown up and confident she is. Such a relief to know that we made the right choice for her first school too.
The pattern is my all time fav by Liesl and can be found here (right hand column under Lazt Days skirt). I use fabric binding rather than ribbon and I think I'm going to change the waistband slightly next time, but you can honestly run one of these up in less than an hour.
the skirt is darling and so is your daughter, she did well picking out the fabric :)
Posted by: susan | July 15, 2009 at 03:23 PM
OMG, can't believe Bella is going to school already! Love the skirt,she does look very 'cool' in it, like the poses too!
Posted by: Rachel | July 15, 2009 at 03:37 PM
A beautiful skirt - I have always found it fun making skirts for my daughter - you need such small amounts of fabric, and there is lots of potential for embellishment with ricrac and other trimmings!
Pomona x
Posted by: Pomona | July 15, 2009 at 03:50 PM
I love the final pose... this is my daughters "modelling" pose as well (her other one is standing in profile with her hands on her hips and pushing out her tummy). The skirt is gorgeous and I love the colour combo.
Posted by: holly | July 15, 2009 at 04:01 PM
its really sweet, i wish i was better at sewing, mine always ends up wonky!
felicity xx
Posted by: felicity | July 15, 2009 at 04:13 PM
We've just had Oscars trial days at secondary school. I can't believe that 7 years have gone in a flash. Never mind, I've got at least another 10 years of primary school left with Ned and Rufus (who has now started walking)....
Bellas skirt is lovely. Hope all is well with all of yours.
Al x
Posted by: Al | July 15, 2009 at 05:14 PM
She's the coolest kid because of and irrespective of that gorgeous skirt. But purple Ms McG? Do I detect a glimpse of purple?
Posted by: Karen | July 15, 2009 at 05:16 PM
I think I'd be laughing all day if I had that kid modeling at my house! The skirt is really cute and it's obvious Bella likes it so very much.
Posted by: Barbara | July 15, 2009 at 06:43 PM
Lovely skirt. I made a top of the fabric earlier this year and it always gets comments. I have a 4 yr old daughter as well and the poses always come out for the photos now too. Before long they'll be say they don't want the photos at all so I just laugh and enjoy them while it lasts.
Posted by: Lisa | July 15, 2009 at 07:20 PM
Bella looks wonderful modeling her new skirt. She's too cool!
Posted by: Grainne | July 15, 2009 at 09:18 PM
look at your little model! it looks like she has fashion in her bones. I'm definitely going to have to check out that skirt. after looking through etsy for a dress for Ellis, I've been kicking myself for not making her cute little outfits. (like I have time for that!) I suppose if I were a more proficient sewer (seamstress?) it would take me less time & I'd get more done. I'm just proud I finished my bib for Adam's cousin's baby!
Posted by: tracy | July 16, 2009 at 01:27 AM
You star. Over worked and still manage to blog!
Posted by: Qalballah | July 16, 2009 at 09:11 AM
Oh she has GREAT taste!!!!! I made a skirt for myself with exactly the same bird fabric last month.
Posted by: Mandy | July 16, 2009 at 01:11 PM
You're right. The green and purple do make an absolutely lovely combination :) Great job!
Posted by: Sarah | July 16, 2009 at 02:01 PM
So pretty! The color combination is wonderful. I need to get over the whole sewing thing and just make cute things like this.
Posted by: patricia | July 16, 2009 at 07:36 PM
Woo! I want one of those! So I'm gonna embark on the 120 mile round trip to my nearest Ikea, get stuck on the London orbital and queue for hours at the check out, all so I can get my hands on some of that gorge fabric. Wish me luck xxx
Posted by: janjan | July 16, 2009 at 09:45 PM
cute
Posted by: Mefuza | July 17, 2009 at 07:35 PM
I finished a skirt from the same pattern last weekend for my friend's little girl's 4th birthday. I love this pattern, but made a few alterations this time I made it. It's blogged here: http://flossieknits.blogspot.com/2009/07/4.html
Posted by: Flossie | July 18, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Awww she is so cute! I love the combination of fabrics you two chose!
Posted by: Chase | July 19, 2009 at 08:23 PM
The skirt it's so pretty, and much more her on it. Congratulations on the new school choice, it's really difficult choice to make.
Posted by: Nahuatl Vargas | July 20, 2009 at 04:28 AM
That's super, I have the same pattern and some different ikea fabric that I've been trying to get started on, so I'm feeling that i may have to give myself a push and get it finished!
Love the posing, where do they learn it from?!
Posted by: Anna | July 20, 2009 at 08:56 PM
love the fabric.. very cute skirt.
Posted by: Hena Tayeb | July 21, 2009 at 12:43 AM
I bet Bella can skip even better wearing that skirt! Totally loving that print! Hey have been tagged for a 'meme' over at my blog so am now taggin you if you have the time to play...
bless
BRiar
Posted by: Briar | July 21, 2009 at 02:39 AM
Wow, she is growing up so fast! That is a beautiful fabric combination!
~Emily
Posted by: Ravenhill | July 23, 2009 at 02:55 PM
nice skirt and all that... but where are you ?... has your fabric fallen from its cabinet and buried you alive... ? hope you burrow out soon...x
Posted by: steven | July 23, 2009 at 06:01 PM