Sew Grateful Week – Scalloped Waist Skirt

Continuing on the theme of Debi's Sew Grateful Week (6-12 February), I want to express how grateful I am to all the generous people who create online tutorials. There are too many of you to name - and ones I haven't even discovered yet - but I must say a special thanks to Casey whose wonderful tutorials I've used in abundance!

I can honestly say that online tutorials have taught me some truly priceless skills and techniques and have given me ideas I could never have dreamed up! But I don't underestimate the precious time and effort that these beautiful, talented people dedicate to photographing / filming and sharing such educational tutorials. The online sewing community is selfless like none other and I feel very privileged indeed to be a part of it.

Back in January I even outlined a number of tutorials that I want to try out this year and I'm happy to say that I can tick my Sew Grateful project off this list – the Vivat Veritas Scalloped Waist Skirt!


This sweet little skirt stole my heart when I first saw it last year and I don't know why it took me so long to make it. With just two pattern pieces and clear instructions, it's really quick and simple to make. A word to the wise though, this pattern comes up VERY short. I'm only 5ft 3" and I added 3 inches to the bottom of my skirt and would have added a couple more if my fabric was wider.

Taking our current UK weather into account, I opted for a winter version by stash-busting some lightweight wool blend fabric that I've had lying around for yonks. I can't wait to make a pastel-coloured spring / summer version or two! 

My boyfriend (whom I mustn't antagonise too much as he's also Chief of Photography) suggested I go tight-less for our 'shoot' as he thought the first outfit was 'dowdy'. Well thanks very much! Clearly the concept of a chic winter outfit escapes him ;o) Anyway, to prove to him how versatile this little skirt is, I brightened it up with a floral top and gave him a twirl!


Here's a closeup of the scalloped waistline for you all to feast your eyes on


I do love this skirt so, but it's by no means the neatest garment I've ever made! I kept messing up the hemming on the lining and had to hack away so much of it that the only thing left to do was just to overlock it! I overlocked and turned up the skirt's hemline too, in an attempt to keep as much length as possible. Oh, and matching up the stripes was a bit hit and miss ;o)



Have you posted / plan on posting a Sew Grateful Week project? I think Debi's whole concept is absolutely heartwarming and it's so exciting seeing how it has taken off across the blogosphere!

26 comments:

  1. This is so cute Marie!!!! Really love the stripes, and I certainly don't think the first outfit looks dowdy!! Thanks for the tip about the lenghth, I've been contemplating making this skirt too, so I'll remember that!

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    1. Thanks Suzie! Hope you do get round to making it, it's so easy!

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  2. It's adorable. You've paired it well with the floral blouse. Very vintage-y. I am drooling over the finishing on your skirt. So pretty.

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    1. Thanks Mela! The finishing really isn't that great to be honest, but it's good enough ;o)

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  3. Really love this, will have to check out that tute!

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  4. That is such a cute skirt, and I love it paired with the floral top. Somehow it makes me think "Victorian" -- I think it's the richness of the pattern combination.

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    1. Thank you Andrea and your observation is interesting. It didn't cross my mind before, but I know what you mean now!

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  5. Marie, just beautiful! I love the scallops. I know they must have taken a lot to do, and you did them wonderfully. You are just too cute in this outfit!

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    1. Aaaw, thanks Gina! The scallops weren't too bad because my fabric was of a medium weight, so they behaved quite well!

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  6. This is lovely! It looks super cute on you! Sadly, I'm buried waist-deep in other projects right now, so no time for a Sew Grateful Week project. :(

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    1. Never mind, I'm sure they'll be another Sew Grateful Week at some point!

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  7. It is very cute!! And not at all dowdy :-) The waistband sits perfectly - did you just interface it or use something more sturdy to get it to sit so nicely?

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    1. Thanks so much Rachel! I used lightweight interfacing on both sides of the waistband, which probably helped. I do think that the weight of the fabric helps too, as it's a poly/wool blend. Hope this helps!

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  8. What a lovely skirt - the scalloped waistband is a great feature. Certainly not dowdy, what do boys know!?

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  9. I'm with the others- definitely not dowdy!! It looks amazing with the floral blouse - I like the mixing of patterns like this. But the scalloped waistline - beautiful- I've just made meringue & know now what it involves. I like the swirliness of the style too...must get around to making a swishy skirt for winter!

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    1. Scallops sure are fiddly, but so worth the effort every time ;o) A swirly skirt will take you no time at all to make, go for it!

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  10. Ahh it looks lovely!!! You've made yourself such a lovely wearable skirt, and stash-busted too?! Awesomeness. I totally agree, the mere two times I made a sewing tutorial really made me appreciate the time and effort put in by those bloggers who make tutorials and how-to frequently! All that picture editing and so on... Well, you have proved how worth while making tutorials is when other can follow them and make delightful garments such as this skirt of yours!

    Zoe xxx

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  11. Yes I think Sew Grateful week is an awesome idea. I submitted a tutorial (from my copying ready to wear series-its Part I cloning underwear ;) and am having a giveaway on my site http://theperfectnose.wordpress.com. I'm giving away a special episode of Knipmode magazine which I'm happy to post globally.
    BTW boyfriends are awesome critics. XD

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  12. I just wanted to pop in and say thank you ever so much for your sweet words about my tutorials! :) I really love being able to share with the sewing community and "give back" to a group of talented people that I've learned so much from! :) This really brightened my day--thank you! ;)

    Your skirt is gorgeous, btw! Making me want to dash up to my fabric stash and find some fabric to make another half skirt NOW. hehe!

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    1. Thank you Casey - for your comment, for constantly being an inspiration to me and for everything you put back into the sewing community! I'm glad my comments helped to brighten your day as well ;o)

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  13. I've been wanting to make up this pattern for a while, and every time I see a gorgeous version like yours I get another little burst of motivation!

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  14. Pretty! :) The rose top is very cute, too!

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  15. I also love the combinationof wool with roses. The skirt is lovely. I much prefer the scallops at the waist rather than the hem.

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