Cherry Best Skirt

December 11, 2015

As of now I only have eight days left of work util Christmas holidays.  I can. not. wait.  I've been feeling really run down leading up to the end of the year, days at work have dragged on, other things have been a source of frustration and upset when they are normally one of fun and joy.  I do honestly think that it's just this time of year, but boy these last few weeks have been tough.

Thankfully not everything is doom and gloom, I'm enjoying the gym, though I'm currently typing like a T Rex as I can't move my arms.  60 pull ups and a boxing session will do that apparently!  There have also been some other good bits, lovely guide parents, wonderful family and some pretty good friends :).

I've managed to do a little bit of sewing over the past few weeks, its the finding the time to sew and blog that seems to be the drama.  I'm planning to try and get them under control next year.  I've also given my blog a little makeover, I'm not sold on it but I'll get it there, I'm sure.

I've been watching a little too much Call the Midwife on Netflix lately and I've been a little taken by Jenny's fashion.  All very feminine and elegant with a touch of 1950's styling to it.  So of course I had to make a circle skirt.  By Hand London's Circle Skirt Calculator is my secret weapon when it comes to circle skirts.  I particularly love a half circle skirt, but this time I went the whole hog.  There is nothing like a full circle skirt to evoke that retro feeling.

Cherry Best Skirt


I used about 2.5m of Gertie's Aqua Cherry rayon challis.  It may have actually been a little less than 2.5m but that doesn't really matter.  The rayon challis has a really lovely drape, it is the perfect fabrc for a more subtle looking circle skirt.  Using something heavier, like a poplin, would have given the skirt more structure and body compared to this one.  Thankfully sometimes subtle wins.

Cherry Days Skirt

I lined the skirt with a lightweight cotton voile, in red because that was pretty much all my local Spotlight had that worked to any extent.  I think the red worked with the cherries wonderfully, plus I love the unexpected touch it gives.  I pulled out my overlocker and finished the hems with a rolled hem.  I've tried rolled hems previously using my sewing machine and they've never been prefect, thankfully the overlocker produces a much nicer result, much faster and with much less work.

I do seriously believe the best part of the circle skirt  is the twirl-ability they have.  Such fun!

Cherry Best Skirt

I'm also incredibly grateful to some lovely friends who took these photos for me.  It's rather nice to upload something other than mirror selfies for once!

These photos were taken at the historic Glengallan Homestead last weekend during their seasonal market.  It's located on the New England Highway between Allora and Warwick in Queensland.  I have a very special place in my heart for Glengallan, the building I'm standing in front of in the photo above is the store.  It was built by my Great Great Grandfather in 1864.  He was a stone mason in Brisbane before being declared bankrupt and moving tothe Darling Downs, more specifically Glengallan.  You can see a little bit of the house and its verandas behind the store.  The story of Glengallan is really an interesting one, it was a thriving community in its prime, the centerpiece of the whole community with a store and a school.  Sadly the house changed owners a number of times and remained empty from the 1930s until the trust purchased the house in 1993.  During this time the house was allowed to enter a state of ruin - most, if not all, the furniture was sold off, squatters used the house, vandals carved their names into the hundred year old plaster.  Thankfully due to the hard work of a number of volunteers Glengallan now somewhat resembles what it did during it's boom.  

It really is worth the trip.  I haven't been to Glengallan in about 7 or 8 years and really enjoyed the trip last weekend.  So much has changed, there are more displays and more information available, its a wonderful trip back in time.  I certainly won't be waiting another eight years to go back!

Anyway, that's enough for tonight.  I'm going to my sisters post graduation, pre christmas cocktail party next Friday and I'm contemplating making a dress to wear.  Maybe I'm crazy, but it could be lots of fun!

Emma :)

4 comments:

  1. Stunning! You know I love a good circle skirt. And that red lining is such a gorgeous surprise :)

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    1. Thanks Maddy! My local Spotlight has been really limited lately, thankfully I made it work!

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  2. I love Call the Midwife too! So cool to see what post-war life in London was like - those 40s-50s fashions were so feminine. Great work with your skirt, I have been watching the Great British Sewing Bee and have been tempted to try making some of my own clothes again.

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    1. Thanks Jen! I recently devoured the first three seasons on Netflix. I really recommend making your own clothes, it's great fun!

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