We used to wear long wool skirts to our public school when I was young. Make yourself a 100% cotton flannel slip to wear under the wool skirt. The wool and flannel will stick together making the wool skirt warmer on your legs (and feet when you are seated). Sew an elastic waste band on your skirt. Make a wool havelock (something like a hood) out of the leftover wool to keep your head warm and dry on wet winter days outside.
Omfgggg youre so smart to use a thick blanket AS a skirt and literally be able to sneakily carry around a blanket. My new dream and life goal. LOVE this. Alas my cold season is already pretty much over BUT a hot climate girl can dream about winter a little longer
Most fabrics, even felted ones, will have a degree of stretch in at least one direction, so if you're cutting a circle, it will stretch and deform in at least 2 segments. That's why using your actual waist measurement gives you something that is too big. There is math you can do to account for it based on the amount of stretch in the fabric (google: negative ease), but I usually just add a more structural waistband.
I have found a nail file is useful for straightening pins and any rough spots or burrs on your scissors. Use the rougher side first then the smoother. Love your hand warmers
Sharing my experience making a blanket skirt; the circle skirt method is definitely superior. My blanket would have only gone to my knees as a circle, so I decided to make my life difficult and cut panels from it to make it long. Now, depending on what blanket you use, this may not be a terrible choice. I used a fluffy, plush blanket from Costco, and it was a headache and a half. Fluff everywhere. I ended up making an outer layer to cover the blanket layer, and while it's definitely warm, it's very heavy. I had sworn off making another one, but I may try using your method as it looks less likely to drive me to tears
This is what I was thinking. You would have to do some piecing, but it looks like a very nice set-up for a cape, probably with a couple layers. I also liked @aquaaurora2747's idea of extending the length of the skirt. Of course, ankle length is my preferred skirt length to start with ;)
For rubber waist: maybe attach a bit of elastic to let it gather closer when loose? As for what to do with the scraps, I do a lot of historically-adjacent skirts and "piecing is period". So I'd use some trim to put on the hem (like a black velvet or maybe black twill) when piece together some more length of skirt to go below that with the scraps. Alternatively a small hood or hand warmers (or both if there's enough) would go well with it... OR you could do sort of gaters/half chaps-basically leg warmers (but not droopy) to warm the exposed calves and shins past the bottom of the skirt's hem. If I didn't add extensions of the skirt I'd go with gaters.
What a lovely skirt! I made a similar one some years ago and hemmed it with some till tape at the bottom in a matching color. A hood is always great to keep warm! :)
Bedsure blankets make the BEST clothes! I've made myself a robe and several floor length dresses to wear around the house for the winter over the last few years. Two twin blankets make a basic tunic, no pattern needed, and if desired, a cloche hat. Amazingly warm and soft and they wash beautifully. This year I decided to make myself a few tunic dresses for outdoors rather than buy a new winter coat. Again two twin blankets made a full length tunic, a cloche hat, and a scarf as well. I'm warm, toasty, and have had many compliments on my plushy velvety coat-dress.
I can't remember what brand this one was, but I've often seen the utility of using home textiles as material for sewing. It's a lot more cost effective, especially if you can thrift them, but even still, this quantity of wool is typically outside of my yardage budget.
Ok but your whole aesthetic is literally precious. Thank you so much for sharing this, I've been looking for more ways to keep from freezing in these upstate NY winters. Doubling the socks only goes so far lol 💜
I knit and crochet blankets for ours and myself including other accessories like hats, mitts,shawls shawls shawls… My dream was also to wears blanket under my skirts in winter. I decided to crochet and/or knit petticoats. My kidneys, legs and ankles have never enjoyed winter more. There are plenty of knit and crochet petticoat patterns available for free online in archived Victorian and Edwardian ladies needlework journals.
Thank you for this great idea. When you measure and cut your waist measurement, you need to add a seam allowance (outside the skirt area) and cut here. This will be slightly smaller than your waist measurements, but by the time you hem and turn the material, it will be your waist measurement.
This was so lovely and cozy to watch, and was exactly what this chilly morning called for. I am currently sitting in bed with a blanket draped around me, and eating oatmeal too! The skirt is so cute, and I love the idea of making it out of a (mostly) wool blanket.
Piecing is history. Otherwise, any calculator (your phone has one) can give you the length from the folded corner to where you need to mark your upper sewing line, remember to cut above it, so you can attach a waistband. Your waist circumference divided by pi and the result divided by two. Or the sewists’s lazy method: your waist measurement divided by six. That is usually about right. For the rubber waist, fold in a bit for a placket where you need to close it? Darts can work too. PS. It looks good! 😊 you could use the scraps for a tie on pocket!
Maybe you can use the scraps to make a waistband that fits snuggly at your natural waist, and use hooks or buttons to secure it? No need for darts in the future!
I second this! Make a hood to go with the skirt, then out of the remaining scraps, even if you end up piecing them like Frankenstein, put a better fitting waistband on your skirt.
I apologize if someone said this but there is a reason why there is a formula for cutting the waist into a circle skirt. Dividing your natural measurement, no matter how logical it sounds simply does not work. There are circle skirt calculators on line so you don't have to do the math. I made my first circle skirt out of a table cloth and did the same thing with making the waist too large. I added spiral lacing as my closure. I ended up adding darts initially. Then a few months later, I decided to add pockets and a real waist band, extending my spiral lacing up the added on waist band. Pockets are super easy even without a seam. Make a pocket or two, cut the slit(s) for it and do a biased tape edge. I like the blanket idea. I even have one around somewhere, brand new shepa blanket. Got it as an earn groceries point reward. Making it a skirt would be cool. .
Skirts usually have a fair amount of fabric, which is going to weigh it down, i.e. if the waist is your exact waist measurement, it's not going to sit there, but get pulled down or shift it around. I think especially on squishier waists the skirt waist needs to be a bit smaller to keep in place.
This material was quite heavy, which may have had an impact-- that's why I wanted to reinforce the waist, but I guess it wasn't enough to fight the stretch effect
That's a beautiful skirt. Warm, comfy blanket clothing sounds perfect for winter . Not sure if that wool would be too thick to manage it but a matching bow to hot glue onto one of those hair clip, clasp things . No idea what they're called but that would be sweet . Great job . Thanks for sharing lovely ❤❤
My thoughts on the waist measurement change: When you turned the waist with the black tape you changed the circumference of the waist measurement making it bigger.
@@OdessaDenby idk if this applies to you but it could be a patterning issue? like maybe the waistband just droops down to your "real waist" which maybe is straight across the back and drooping down in the front, or vice versa for example? this is the case for me but opposite, where the measurements should match but i always have to add extra and cut a chunk out of the front piece so it actually fits.
A thought about why your waist hole was too big. You took the measurement and cut that out. It might work better if you reduce the circle by the seam allowance all around. In effect you made hole bigger by the amount of the seam allowance! Compare the circumference of the two holes where the radius of the holes is greater by the depth of the seam allowance. That’s how much too big it is.
We used to wear long wool skirts to our public school when I was young. Make yourself a 100% cotton flannel slip to wear under the wool skirt. The wool and flannel will stick together making the wool skirt warmer on your legs (and feet when you are seated). Sew an elastic waste band on your skirt. Make a wool havelock (something like a hood) out of the leftover wool to keep your head warm and dry on wet winter days outside.
Omfgggg youre so smart to use a thick blanket AS a skirt and literally be able to sneakily carry around a blanket. My new dream and life goal. LOVE this. Alas my cold season is already pretty much over BUT a hot climate girl can dream about winter a little longer
Get a jump on next winter's cozy outfits!
I've been telling everyone for months that it is my Winter goal to be walking around in blankets disguised as skirts.
It's nice to be part of a group.
Most fabrics, even felted ones, will have a degree of stretch in at least one direction, so if you're cutting a circle, it will stretch and deform in at least 2 segments. That's why using your actual waist measurement gives you something that is too big. There is math you can do to account for it based on the amount of stretch in the fabric (google: negative ease), but I usually just add a more structural waistband.
And every tutorial I found online said to use waist +1... But I had a feeling that would be a disaster
@@OdessaDenbyunless you have a zipper in the skirt, you need to have an elastic waist that when stretched will go over your hips.
A wonderful way to make a warm and cozy circle skirts. I think a hood would look wonderful AND match your new skirt.
It would definitely be useful on wet windy days! I love the idea of a matching set 😍
I have found a nail file is useful for straightening pins and any rough spots or burrs on your scissors. Use the rougher side first then the smoother. Love your hand warmers
Your skirt came out great. I have a love/hate relationship with my sewing machine but I'm going to have to give this a try.
A simple project that fills a need in your wardrobe can be a great way to heal that relationship haha
A medieval hood!!! I want to make one, too.
Sharing my experience making a blanket skirt; the circle skirt method is definitely superior. My blanket would have only gone to my knees as a circle, so I decided to make my life difficult and cut panels from it to make it long. Now, depending on what blanket you use, this may not be a terrible choice. I used a fluffy, plush blanket from Costco, and it was a headache and a half. Fluff everywhere. I ended up making an outer layer to cover the blanket layer, and while it's definitely warm, it's very heavy. I had sworn off making another one, but I may try using your method as it looks less likely to drive me to tears
I think a matching cape or shawl would be lovely 🌻
It could be such a cozy set... I think I'll have to do it soon!
This is what I was thinking. You would have to do some piecing, but it looks like a very nice set-up for a cape, probably with a couple layers. I also liked @aquaaurora2747's idea of extending the length of the skirt. Of course, ankle length is my preferred skirt length to start with ;)
For rubber waist: maybe attach a bit of elastic to let it gather closer when loose? As for what to do with the scraps, I do a lot of historically-adjacent skirts and "piecing is period". So I'd use some trim to put on the hem (like a black velvet or maybe black twill) when piece together some more length of skirt to go below that with the scraps. Alternatively a small hood or hand warmers (or both if there's enough) would go well with it... OR you could do sort of gaters/half chaps-basically leg warmers (but not droopy) to warm the exposed calves and shins past the bottom of the skirt's hem. If I didn't add extensions of the skirt I'd go with gaters.
What a lovely skirt! I made a similar one some years ago and hemmed it with some till tape at the bottom in a matching color. A hood is always great to keep warm! :)
Beautiful! Love it! Thanks for the idea. Blessings
Bedsure blankets make the BEST clothes! I've made myself a robe and several floor length dresses to wear around the house for the winter over the last few years. Two twin blankets make a basic tunic, no pattern needed, and if desired, a cloche hat. Amazingly warm and soft and they wash beautifully. This year I decided to make myself a few tunic dresses for outdoors rather than buy a new winter coat. Again two twin blankets made a full length tunic, a cloche hat, and a scarf as well. I'm warm, toasty, and have had many compliments on my plushy velvety coat-dress.
I can't remember what brand this one was, but I've often seen the utility of using home textiles as material for sewing. It's a lot more cost effective, especially if you can thrift them, but even still, this quantity of wool is typically outside of my yardage budget.
I saw on Jodi Delaney you can make a pin cussion with sand in it and it will sharpen your pins and needles
Depending on the leftover fabric, you could add a ruffle to increase the length of your skirt. The ruffle wouldn't need to be curved, just gathered.
Ok but your whole aesthetic is literally precious. Thank you so much for sharing this, I've been looking for more ways to keep from freezing in these upstate NY winters. Doubling the socks only goes so far lol 💜
I knit and crochet blankets for ours and myself including other accessories like hats, mitts,shawls shawls shawls… My dream was also to wears blanket under my skirts in winter. I decided to crochet and/or knit petticoats. My kidneys, legs and ankles have never enjoyed winter more. There are plenty of knit and crochet petticoat patterns available for free online in archived Victorian and Edwardian ladies needlework journals.
I am tragically bad at crochet, unfortunately. I've yet to try knitting though...
If there's enough, I'd use the extra bits of blanket to add a ruffle to the bottom of the skirt. It would add a little extra length & warmth!
I just might! You make it look so easy! I'd say that the extra roominess in the waist could allow for tucking in additional layers for warmth.
Thank you for this great idea. When you measure and cut your waist measurement, you need to add a seam allowance (outside the skirt area) and cut here. This will be slightly smaller than your waist measurements, but by the time you hem and turn the material, it will be your waist measurement.
This was so lovely and cozy to watch, and was exactly what this chilly morning called for. I am currently sitting in bed with a blanket draped around me, and eating oatmeal too!
The skirt is so cute, and I love the idea of making it out of a (mostly) wool blanket.
Piecing is history. Otherwise, any calculator (your phone has one) can give you the length from the folded corner to where you need to mark your upper sewing line, remember to cut above it, so you can attach a waistband. Your waist circumference divided by pi and the result divided by two. Or the sewists’s lazy method: your waist measurement divided by six. That is usually about right. For the rubber waist, fold in a bit for a placket where you need to close it? Darts can work too. PS. It looks good! 😊 you could use the scraps for a tie on pocket!
Maybe you can use the scraps to make a waistband that fits snuggly at your natural waist, and use hooks or buttons to secure it? No need for darts in the future!
I second this! Make a hood to go with the skirt, then out of the remaining scraps, even if you end up piecing them like Frankenstein, put a better fitting waistband on your skirt.
I apologize if someone said this but there is a reason why there is a formula for cutting the waist into a circle skirt. Dividing your natural measurement, no matter how logical it sounds simply does not work. There are circle skirt calculators on line so you don't have to do the math. I made my first circle skirt out of a table cloth and did the same thing with making the waist too large. I added spiral lacing as my closure. I ended up adding darts initially. Then a few months later, I decided to add pockets and a real waist band, extending my spiral lacing up the added on waist band. Pockets are super easy even without a seam. Make a pocket or two, cut the slit(s) for it and do a biased tape edge.
I like the blanket idea. I even have one around somewhere, brand new shepa blanket. Got it as an earn groceries point reward. Making it a skirt would be cool.
.
Skirts usually have a fair amount of fabric, which is going to weigh it down, i.e. if the waist is your exact waist measurement, it's not going to sit there, but get pulled down or shift it around. I think especially on squishier waists the skirt waist needs to be a bit smaller to keep in place.
This material was quite heavy, which may have had an impact-- that's why I wanted to reinforce the waist, but I guess it wasn't enough to fight the stretch effect
That's a beautiful skirt. Warm, comfy blanket clothing sounds perfect for winter . Not sure if that wool would be too thick to manage it but a matching bow to hot glue onto one of those hair clip, clasp things . No idea what they're called but that would be sweet . Great job . Thanks for sharing lovely ❤❤
Ah, I think I see what you mean-- I could make a whole batch of barrettes for me and my friends from the scraps left over, haha!
@OdessaDenby yes! that's them! 😅🥰
Very nice job! ❤ I usually have the opposite problem and the skirts I make tend to be smaller than the pattern/measurement states they will be.
You have a very pleasant voice
I love it!
oooo, use the wool to put patch pockets on the skirt?
Oooh that could be a good option for the smaller pieces!
My thoughts on the waist measurement change: When you turned the waist with the black tape you changed the circumference of the waist measurement making it bigger.
I cut out the waist portion to the correct measurement though, the tape was just a lining layer. Tbh this happens on many skirts I make...
@@OdessaDenby idk if this applies to you but it could be a patterning issue? like maybe the waistband just droops down to your "real waist" which maybe is straight across the back and drooping down in the front, or vice versa for example? this is the case for me but opposite, where the measurements should match but i always have to add extra and cut a chunk out of the front piece so it actually fits.
A thought about why your waist hole was too big. You took the measurement and cut that out. It might work better if you reduce the circle by the seam allowance all around. In effect you made hole bigger by the amount of the seam allowance! Compare the circumference of the two holes where the radius of the holes is greater by the depth of the seam allowance. That’s how much too big it is.
Where did you find that darling round mug?
It's so perfect and cozy! I got it at a thrift store last year for about $3, but it doesn't have any branding or makers marks unfortunately
A hood would be great
I think I'll have to do a cute short hood!
I find it delightful that your hand warmers match your oatmeal
I didn't even realize lol