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Cord Skirt

A friend of mine has a really cute cord skirt, and I decided that as I had some cord lying around I would make my own, sort of like it.

The skirt that gave me the idea is far shorter than something I would usually wear, so I made mine almost knee length. I calculated for 1.5cm seam allowances, but then like a fool I accidentally sewed 1cm seam allowances - so it's a little bit bigger than I wanted. So in some of these pictures I'm wearing it over trousers as that's how I might end up wearing it most of the time.

Here's the skirt! Instructions are below:

Without trousers (it's fine like this really! Just a tiny bit bigger than I'd like):

Close-up:

Materials:

Enough cord for the skirt.

Matching sewing thread.

A 6 inch zipper. If you can't get it to match the fabric, either go for one a shade darker (as it shows up less) and one in a completely contrasting colour (for fun).

Buttons for decoration (optional).

Pins, scissors and tailor's chalk.

Instructions:

Lay out your fabric, folded in half with the selvedges together. You need to work out what size pieces to cut. Measure yourself with the tape measure a little away from your body, as there has to be ease in the skirt so you can move. I wanted my skirt to sit quite low, so I took that measurement. You also need the measurement of the widest part of your hips, and the height between your hips and where you want the skirt to sit.

Also measure how wide you want the skirt to be at the bottom (I made mine 4cm wider than the hips measurement), and how long from your hips to where the frill joins on.

Divide all the measurements around yourself by 2, and then add on 3cm for 2 x 1.5cm seam allowances.

Chalk 3 long lines on your fabric, the second should be as far from the first as the height between where you want the skirt to sit and your hips, plus 3cm (extra for folding over at the top), and the third line should be as far from the second as the length you want your skirt, plus 1.5cm (seam allowance for sewing on the frill).

Then, mark on the lines the 3 measurements you made round yourself (the ones divided by 2 with 3cm extra for seam allowance). On the first line mark the highest measurement, on the second line mark the hips measurement, and on the third line mark the measurement of the bottom of the skirt:

Now join up all 3 lines to make the shape you will cut out for the skirt:

Next the frill. This is made by sewing on a donut shape. Take the measurement of how wide the skirt should be where it joins the frill (the total measurement - not the one divided by 2). Divide this by 2 pi. This gives you the radius of the inner circle, called R1. Add on to this radius the length you want the frill to be, plus 3 cm (for 2 x 1.5cm seam allowance). This gives you the radius of the outer circle, called R2:

Depending on how much fabric you have, this can either be chalked out as 2 semi-circles on the fold (a semi-donut!) and then cut out to make a big donut, or by drawing a semi-donut in the middle of the fabric, adding 1.5cm seam allowances to the edge of the donut, cutting and then seaming to make a full donut:

To draw the semi-donut: mark on the fabric a line of length 2 x R2. Also mark the middle of the line. Then, using a ruler, mark several points a distance R1 from the centre of the line, and then join them up. Do the same for the outer circle by marking several points a distance R2 from the centre of the line, and joining them up.

Those with more fabric can cut it on the fold, like this:

This shows the chalked out skirt shape, and the semi-donut.

If you have less fabric (this is me), you can draw a chalk line down the fabric and then draw on the semi-donut along the line, remembering to add the seam allowances:

Here it is on real fabric:

And here shows the added seam allowances:

Next cut out all pieces. With right sides together, pin skirt side seams together, on one side leaving it open above the zip stopper (finger pointed to the stopper), making sure zip is 3cm from the cut edge of the fabric:

Sew seams. Next turn in seam allowance on unsewn part of side seam, place zip under it, and stitch zip in place:

Fold under seam allowance on top edge of skirt:

Fold over again, and pin in place:

Stitch. If making donut from 2 semi-donuts, place right sides together and pin seams:

Stitch:

Now take the donut, and with right sides together, pin to the lower edge of the skirt:

Stitch. You may get some places where it doesn't exactly fit (like below) - don't worry about it:

Cut little slits along the bottom of the donut (this is to make folding it in easier):

Fold the seam allowance over, and then over again - the second time it won't fit perfectly but that's ok - just pin in place:

Stitch. You have finished! Decorate with buttons if you like....these are the ones I used: