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Saturday, January 31, 2015

A CIRCLE SKIRT FOR TIFFANY XL - PLUS SIZED CIRCLE SKIRT

A Circle Skirt for Tiffany

XL - Plus Sized Circle Skirt

We needed an Xl skirt and this method can be used for both XL and for plus sized skirts because we used four panels to make a complete circle.  So as not to leave anyone out, this method can be used for any size waist. 

Read on...



Everyone claims that a circle skirt is the easiest skirt to make and that may actually be true however, the thing that stops people from making them is the math.  There are many ways to make a circle skirt and depending on your size, your options can become a bit limited.  The reason for this is because most fabric is not wide enough to cut out a circle for anyone with anything other than let's say a 28" or smaller waist. So let me just start out by saying this is what we in America consider a Plus Sized Circle Skirt tutorial.  

One of the first things we realized was that we would have to make our skirt using four panels and sew them together.  We could not simply fold and cut out either 2 halves or one complete circle.  So with this in mind, I will show you how we arrived at our measurements, cut the fabric and sewed everything together. 

Because this skirt must be done in four pieces you will need to make it an elastic waisted skirt.  The seams will need to fall not in the middle front and back and on the sides but instead they need to fall two in the front and two in the back with a solid piece of fabric down the middle.  Like this:


With this in mind, it is important that the waist will slide over your hips as you put on the skirt on.  Therefore, instead of measuring your waist for the opening of the skirt, you must use your hip measurements.  So your very first step is to measure your hips.  Your hips are the largest area and are measured right across the middle of your bottom and then all the way around.  In our case this measurement was 44.  Then for seam allowances, because there is going to be four pieces you have to add one inch.  So our final measurement for the skirt opening is 45". 

Now for the math....  I know this is always a bit scary and I will show you the math however, I will also show you the easy way to think about the math and come up with the radius for your skirt.  The mathematical equation looks something like this.  



Okay so who wants to think about all that... 
Think of it in simple terms and take your measurement and simply divide it by 6.28 and there you have it.  

The second measurement you will need is the length of your skirt.  To get this measurement simply hold the tape measure up to your waist and let it drop.  Find the length you feel comfortable with and add an inch for the inseams. For us that measurement was 19 and we added one inch so our final length was 20.  

With these two figures in mind we were ready to make a pattern.  To make our pattern we used just your standard wrapping paper.  You can use any paper you have on hand. 

See Christmas wrapping paper.  

We made the pattern by laying out the paper and then drawing the lines for the waist and the hem. We use our tape measure and pinned it down on the top corner of the paper.  We then used a pencil and followed the curve. For the top we measured 7.25" and for the bottom hem we had to the radius plus the length of the skirt 20, so we drew our line at 27.25". We ended up with this:


Then we cut four equal pieces of fabric, one for each quarter of the circle.  We simply cut them and laid them on top of each other.  Then we pinned our pattern down and cut out our skirt panels. 


We then sewed each panel together.  Now it was time to hang the skirt for at least 24 hours to give the fabric a chance to relax. 



Next we cut a waistband to fit around Tiffany's waist and added 2" to allow for joining the waistband together. We made the waistband the same width as the elastic we had on hand plus one inch for the inseam. We did not take pictures but the waistband is one piece and for ours it was 3" wide and 33 inches long. 





We then ironed the waistband folded in half .  We folded over 1/4 of an inch on one end of the waistband and ironed it.  This will be the finished end and is placed near the back of the skirt. 

We then pinned the waistband around the skirt with the ends placed at the back middle of the skirt. Then we tucked the unfinished edge under the finished edge and sewed the waistband on to the skirt. 

Then we fed the elastic through the waistband and tighten it until it felt right on Tiffany's waist.  We just tried it on and pulled the elastic, then cut the elastic and stitched it together so that it is flat. Then we closed up the opening by stitching over the ironed fold of the band. 


You can do the waistband anyway you like, this was just our preference for this skirt. 


Then the next step was the hem.  Don't you just hate hemming things.  To make things go a little easier, we ironed our 1/4" first and then folded over the first quarter inch and then stitched our hem.  Doing the ironing saves you a lot of trouble when you are sewing.  


NOTE: 

When ironing the hem on a circle skirt adjust the fabric and set the iron down a few inches at a time.  Do not move the iron back and forth, just lay it down for a few seconds on each section.  This will help you make a nice circle hem. 

And now you have a circle skirt...





We had so much fun making a circle skirt for Tiffany that we had to make one for me as well. 




Now I am thinking I need a matching handbag and headband to go with my skirt.  Oh and I have a pretty pink sweater that will be perfect.  


Both of our fabrics came from Happy Quilt!!!


Be sure to visit soon, 
as I will be posting photos of us in our skirts!!!

Till next time, 

Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties


I am beside myself tickled pink to be 
featured on



Thank you dear Isabelle for featuring me and for the wonderful compliment. 

Friday, January 30, 2015

KOREAN FLATWARE COLLECTION APPETIZER SPOONS & FORKS

 Korean Flatware Collection
Appetizer Spoons and Forks

Although I have already shared these beauties in a my previous post, I wanted to share them again because I took a few more photos with a white lace background. 


These little beauties can go by several names: horderve, appetizer and cocktail spoons and forks. Whatever you call them I could not resist adding them to my flatware collection.  I also found a sweet bone china dish to keep them in. 


I decided on two different types of pieces.  One type matches my set of flatware and the other has a bone china handle with a pink crystal on the top. 


I love the pink crystal on this little set. 



Pretty Korean Paper Products



These are just so sweet, 

but not as sweet as this little girl...


Bella 1/2015

Our next post
XL - Plus Sized Circle Skirt

Hugs, Beverly 
Tea Cottage Pretties


Friday, January 16, 2015

VALENTINE'S DAY DECORATING... OH AND ADDING TO MY FLATWARE COLLECTION.....

Valentine's Day Decorating...

Oh and Adding To My Flatware Collection...


While I was decorating for Valentine's Day today, I realized I had not taken any photos of my newest pieces of flatware.  You can see my original post about my flatware here, 


I decided that while I was taking some quick photos of my Valentine's Day decor that I would take some of my new flatware.   As you can see in the photo above I have added not only flatware but also some beautiful bone china that matches my flatware and keeps it all tucked away neatly. 

Sorry the red reflected back on the bone china on the bottom dish in this photo.


  I also added some chopsticks.  My husband asked that I add these to our collection and I just could not resist.  



However my favorite is the appetizer/h'oderves spoons and forks that I found to go with my flatware. 



Did you notice those little gems in the background of the above photo?  These are the appetizer spoons and forks with bone china handles and each one has a pink crystal at the top.  Aren't they just so lovely...


Oh and these lovely long handled iced tea spoons...
Iced tea spoons are hard to find these days but they so remind me of the late 1960's.  I am so tickled to add these beauties to my collection. 


Our table here in Korea is not very big but I still managed to decorate it for each holiday.  I love that our flatware can sit out on the table in it's pretty bone china dish. 



You may remember the printed vintage flatware holders I made last year from my post, 



In this post I give you a tutorial on how to make them for yourself. 

Well I think I should get back to decorating. 

Hugs, Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties

MY COLLECTION OF CARDIGANS

My Collection of Cardigans
Wearable Art!



It's no secret I have an addition to pretty things but I also have an addiction to collecting and of course finding fabulous things at fabulous prices.  One of the things I love to wear the most are cardigans.  I wear them with jeans, slacks, dresses, skirts and even shorts.  I ware them for all seasons and in all temperatures.  Therefore one of my favorite collections just happens to be my cardigans.  Like the teacup cardigan you see above, I love themed cardigans as well as plain and decorated cardigans. This pretty white cardigan with chiffon flowers seen below is oh so pretty and feminine and can go with so many things.


 What about this Ireland themed cardigan.  My family has an Irish background and this little number just speaks to me.  I love all the images that adorn this fun and cute cardigan.  


I love a the current trend in World Travelers items and this European Cruises cardigan is just so adorable.  


Also very in style right now are all things nautical.  The vintage Sailor's theme is back in a big way and I have just the cardigan for those cool Spring mornings or for a late night summer beach walk...


Christmas has just past and I so enjoyed wearing my Holiday themed cardigans.  These are three of my favorite cardigans.  I love the images on them.  First, the lovely ladies shopping with their Holiday bags all dressed in lovely clothing on a big city street.  


Next more holiday shopping.


And last but not least my "Twas The Night Before Christmas" cardigan.  


Edited 2/3/2015 to add more of my collection.

Beautiful Colors in this beauty




The Great American Road Trip!!!





I just love my cardigans and I have been fortunate to add some really pretty ones to my collection.  This post is dedicated to my sister Patti, I love you...

Please leave a comment and let me know what you like to collect.  Also, leave me a link to your blog and I will be so tickled to pop over and visit. 

I wanted to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and to thank each of you for following me.  I am delighted as always to have you with me this year and all the years to come. 

Happy New Year,

Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties

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