my first ART SKIRT...

art skirt?
i am not sure what else to call it other than pure happiness.
i really wanted to translate the work i have been doing with the aprons into a skirt...wearable art.
however i do not know how to sew really, lol!
i know it sounds funny, but i cannot make an article of clothing that actually fits me kinda thing.  i can only decorate and create ON it. i might need to find that seamstress quick though cause i think i am in love with this concept.
the base is made of canvas, yes i know it is stiff, but i can paint on it and i like that...i am okay with a stiffy stiff fabric, hee hee!
on saturday i went to hancock fabrics in search of the easiest skirt pattern i could find - butterick B4461 i had no intention on putting in a zipper so i knew i would have to modify it.
basically i just cut a front and back panel and sewed them up the side leaving about about a 6" allowance at the top left for another closure idea i had to replace the zipper.
with the base of the skirt sewn i chose the color palette. now i will be the first person to say i hate purple, but it was purple and TURQUOISE, lol! the print and solid are amy butler, the script is unknown and has no info on it. i am thinking i might have picked it up from hancock fabrics a while back.
i knew i wanted to stamp one of my favorite designs onto the canvas (more about the stamp soon i promise!) and then apply several coats of an acrylic wash of cream color over the top so that the flourishes would be weather/muted.
here is the before...
and the after...
then i added the ruffles, lace and a ribbon (to cover up my stitching).
i will be honest, not being a trained seamstress, the 3 layers of ruffles took me a good bit of time to get right, but i did it!
now to embellish the base of the skirt...
i knew it had to be these birds (been working on another project with this bird pattern so i was consumed, lol). choosing the fabric for them dang birds took me like 2 hours - silly!
anyway, i sewed the wings and eyes to the bird body, then, stitched them to the skirt base. once i was 3/4 around the bird i stopped sewing, stuffed and sewed again to close completely
next, added the waistband and pom pom trim and used a fun decorative stitch for the top of the waistband - just because i could.
my last step was the closure - NO ZIPPERS, they frighten me!
pretty ribbon was the solution!
well that and the 6 strategically placed grommets (god i love grommets)
my perfectly-imperfect-not-so-form-fitting-around-the-waist-beautiful art skirt!
i am hoping to wear it at CHA in january. that, or create another one or maybe wear it and create another one.
i am thinking i am going to need a real dressform soon. the adjustable kind so i can make a skirt that actually "fits" me.

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Comments

[Theresa Grdina]

This "skirt" is right up my alley!! The colors are lovely and the textures make me want to grab it and feel it....Very beautiful!

[BellaG]

your skirt is gorgeous!

[Lisa]

Love it love it! Great idea, great design...how much fun!

[rachel]

how fun!

[gwen (Belgium-Europe)]

Hi Donna
This skirt is soooooooo cool !
Nice Job.

[Dee]

i just really want this very cool

[M.L.]

I love it Donna. I wish I could sew better. I had bought one of your fabric books once b/c I loved it sooo much...yep, it's still sitting here. Scares the bajeebas outta me to try! You are so stinking INSPIRING and such an inspiration everyday Thank you.

[M.L.]

ahhh...and speaking of dress forms. Not that this is a real functional one but so stylish. I got mine in pink polka dot. I'm a dress form junkie!
http://www.pbteen.com/products/dress-form/

[Kirsty]

Thank you for making this for me for Christmas. Did you post it to me, today?
Mwahahahahhahahahahhahaa

[Tristen]

That is so fantastic! Love it!

[Sandi M]

Donna, it's stunning!

[Kerry R]

Gorgeous :)

[Cheryl]

Oh my gosh, how stinkin cute!!!

[Jen Gall]

Donna, this is amazing! If you need some seamstress help, I happen to know one (me!). Zippers are less scary to put in than you think!

[April]

Wow, this is GORGEOUS!!! I can't wait to see more...
- April

[fay copeland]

for someone who does not sew that is beautiful. I love the birds. I am into birds and owls in stamping now. Don't forget to let us know where you purchased that stamp. i also love flourishes. fay in nashville tenn.

[Deborah]

I think the term you're looking for is "wearable art." So fun!

[corinne delis]

If my big butt would fit in that I would so wear it, you creative woman!

corinnexxx

[Holly S]

Can you bottle some of your creativity and send it east for me??? Pretty please?! Love your apron!!!
XOXOXOXO

[Nancy Ryan]

Hey Donna,

If the canvas is a little to stiff, try looking as some of the "utility fabrics". They are more durable then tradition fabrics but some of them are also a little more stiff so you could still paint on them. Awesome skirt though. Who says you are not a seamstress? I think you did a great job!! Keep it up!!

[Fletch]

Perhaps contacting Tim Gunn at project runway to get a few designers to use your idea/challenge/products in their designs...with you as the model. You could have an entire wardrobe...!

[Linda Barutha]

Love, Love, LOVE the art skirt! Very cool:D

[karlalala]

that's beautiful!! i want that flurish stamp... did you say where you got that?? can i have it!! wink!!

[Erika]

Great idea, I love it.

[Cami]

WOW - beautiful skirt - you should totally wear this!

[Jessica Wilson-Hess]

I REALLY love this skirt- I think putting it out would just put you in a GREAT mood.

[Melanie K.]

Wow. I mean, it is gorgeous, truly! I have been interested in sewing for a while (got a machine off ebay) but haven't used it really. I think you may have just inspired me! Wow, again!

[Susan]

Next time try making a wrap skirt, then you won't have to worry about a "closure" for it. Love what you've done, though. Really pretty.

Susan.

[Debbie McIntyre]

I think the skirt is fabulous and I like Susan's idea of the Wrap Skirt. Almost makes it a one size fits all. Perfect solution.

[Sarah]

Zippers send me over the edge - ever since High School sewing class....sigh..traumatic experience...
Love that stamp tho - can't wait to hear about it!

[Susan]

You are utterly amazing!!!

[Kim J.]

How neat....You'll have to post a picture of you wearing it!!

[Nicky Hurt]

That is so creative! And gutsy! Good job pushing yourself just a little out of your limits (the sewing part!) I love the ribbon closure!

[scrapamum]

That is gorgeous! Wanna make me one? : )

[bettyannmanghi]

That is so AMAZING! thanku4sharing the process
Love it!

[Jewel]

I love, love, LOVE your apron! It is so over the top cute. You need to find a way to get these manufactured so we can buy one, seriously! I don't own a sewing machine so couldn't begin to attempt something like this.

[Stacey]

WOW!!! I cannot believe how CUTE this is - I love it - the canvas is wonderful and those ruffles are just adorable - the grommets are such fun too - you can't find grommet closures on a skirt just anywhere! WAY TO GO!!! You stuff just keeps getting better and better - you amaze me!!!

[Wendy High]

This is absolutely awesome!!! I so love all your work!!!

[Susan L]

So amazing, especially the printing. I love the flourish you stamped with and the colour is divine.

[Betsy]

Oh so cool, I can't wait to see you in it! Make sure to post pics!

[Shelley Haganman]

This is simply beautiful! Do you ever sleep?! :)

[michelle]

Darn Cool. Project Runway here you come! let's see it on!

[katie]

Very cute....your talents run in MANY directions

[Stefanie Roy]

Hey Donna...You are such a tease with that stamp!!! Looking for a reveal soon!!! Using the canvas might've been too stiff/bulky for a good zipper application...Grommets seem to be a bett choice, lol! This is a great design for a skirt...maybe use some sort of knit fabric for the band to make it more "form fitting" (stretchy)...just love how you jump in with both feet and then some. Very inspirational!!! Love to sew!! Thanks for sharing.

[Carrie P]

I agree that canvas would probably have been too bulky for a zipper (but don't let them intimadate you!)
Love it, want one of my own.

[Jennifer]

this is very, very creative and fun - you could always wear over jeans?! :)

[Ally White]

Holy stinkin wowzers! Waaaaay cute!

[andra]

If we were neighbors i would show you how to do a zipper. Much easier then you think but the grommets are inspired!!!
smiles, Andra

[Amy Daigle]

This is beautiful! I would so wear this!!!

[Leni]

that is beyond amazing and just gorgeous. i'm so jealous of your lovely skills!

[Jenny]

Donna your skirt is totally awesome......love it, and I love that you have used grommets and ribbon, looks way cool you clever thing!!

[Renault]

Awesome skirt!! I would also wear this skirt. It is different and funky.

[Jessica Hess]

I love this idea. I would totally wear that. I love to wear skirts in the summer. They are much cooler sometimes than shorts. So COOL! I am almost done with my crafty space re-do. It's not as pretty as yours, but I love it. Wanna see?
www.forthejoyofsharing.blogspot.com

[Lisa14895]

You know who needs one of these beautiful skirt/aprons? NieNie! They look like her.

[Christine Guest]

I love the colors and the birds!

I enjoy reading someone as accomplished as you admit to having trouble fitting a skirt, because I have trouble embellishing things - forget Channel's remove one piece of jewelry, I forget to wear my earrings!

If your library has any of the Palmer/Pleatch books about "fit as you sew," tissue fitting and draping are very intuitive methods, like sculpting. Back issues of Threads magazine have oodles of other fitting methods, with gorgeous photos and layouts.

With your creative confidence, you are so nearly there - oh, you might get a wee bit more drape putting the skirt on the bias.

I think you'd find a kindred spirit in Lois Ericson's patterns and surface embellishment - she often publishes in Threads.

[Mandy]

You are truly awe-inspring!

[Judy in Huntsville[al]]

Hey there! I didn't read through all your comments so someone may have suggested this already - but try muslin [I"m not a seamstress either, but believe it comes in different 'weights'] I think it would make a lovely breezy spring skirt... i may have to give a try!

[Michelle]

This is too beautiful for words! I'm so glad you can't do zippers, 'cause the grommets and ribbon is pure genius (and way prettier than a zipper). I am in awe. I hope you will be making lots more!

[Nancy in CA]

Tooo cute for words. You are simply amazing...your creativity and talent are such an inspiration. Thanks again for sharing with us all. Nancy in So Cal.

[Staci Shuck]

it's even more beautiful in real life!!! Thanks for sharing it with us this weekend!!!

[Pam]

Completely gorgeous!!!

[tlccreates]

I have a suggestion to try instead of canvas: curtain lining fabric that is made to block out the light. It is a great surface to paint on but paint doesn't bleed thru, it is smooth and flexible. I painted and collaged a canvas apron for my sister (gift for her new studio). It turned out very stiff. I wish I had tried the block-out fabric instead.

here is the apron I did (not fancy like yours)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2520/4109294517_e33e3e1aab.jpg

[Ky Scrapacat]

Oh Donna! I just had to LOL when I read this! I used to sew most of my own clothes, and so many of those items had an elastic skirt for the same reason - zippers can be a pain! I LOVE the look of this skirt. I think you should make something a little shorter for running races. I'm inspired! Thanks! ~ky

[Jodi]

Totally reminds me of the awesome clothing line sold at Nordstroms. Ironically, the brand is called Scrapbook Originals.

Beautiful work!

[Donna VW]

Fabulous!

[Pam Butcher]

Just delightful! I love the idea of wearing it over jeans, too.

[Brandi Ginn]

Where's the info about the stamp? lol did I miss it?

Thanks ;)

[MJ at Designer Jeans]

You have a a very creative mind!!! I love skirts and I like your choice of fabric!!!