The Mermaid dirndl

Why do I craft? It’s nice to go to bed knowing that because of you, the world holds something that didn’t exist when you got up. Today I started on a skirt inspired by notamermaid’s dirndl, which I found on my favorite sewing blog Sew Retro.

London is very sartorially samey for a world-class city, and sewing is a niche hobby inspiring awe and wonder in this country, so fabric pickings are fairly scant, unadventurous and pricey compared with those in America. Ah, America. The magical land where everything is for sale, usually at half price. I got 2.5 yards of this amazing cotton print for the comparatively refreshing price of £20 including international delivery at Sew Mama Sew:

It has squid!

The skirt went together like a dream. Not having to mess around with a pattern was a nice change. I didn’t even cry once, although I did come close — when I discovered the hard way, after breaking two needles and spending half an hour picking out a thread jam with tweezers, that Singer sewing machines really are designed to work only with Singer needles. Way to build brand loyalty, guys!

I made a waistband with the aid of Vilene Fuse and Fold (a boon to the lazy perfectionist) and a lot of guesswork about size. Then I just ripped the remaining fabric into three 28″ lengths and stitched them together selvage to selvage, meaning I didn’t even have to worry about finishing the seams. I ran two rows of gathering stitches along the top, dropped in a zipper at the back, gathered the fabric to fit the waistband, turned and topstitched and slapped on a button at the back. After a few false starts with my machine’s blindhem stitch, I was done by 9 o’clock.

I guess this fabric is quilter’s cotton, but I’m already casting around for other clothes I can make with it. It is the easiest fabric I’ve ever sewn with. It’s on grain, it’s crisp and grabby enough to make pins almost unnecessary, it gathers beautifully and it holds a crease perfectly. Why I started my latest sewing jag with a Regency corset instead of this project I don’t know.

Here is the finished skirt. I need a wider belt, but you get the idea. It’s fun yet womanly. I find this deeply satisfying in a world where most women’s clothing looks like it’s made for either National Trust grannies or child prostitutes.

Enchantment Under the Sea!