Shams' fabulous tablecloth skirt pattern

Shams' skirt for Thanksgiving looks terrific. In her incredibly clever fashion, she has worked out the pattern for a very interesting designer hem detail, made a skirt with a gorgeous and perfect fabric, then generously provided instructions for how to make a similar skirt using one's own measurements.
Now I know I am supposed to be in the midst of a not-for-me-November, but I could not resist this pattern.
Ta-da!

Here is my interpretation of Sham's tablecloth skirt tutorial. I used a muted print of quilting cotton, and added a regular waistband using the quilting cotton for interfacing. The skirt opening is by a lapped placket, buttoned. I used Sham's length measurements, and my own waist measurement with 1 inch of ease added. I did not use my hip measurement at all :), just made a nice long placket.


I am thrilled with this skirt. I made it in one evening after work, and I think it looks very good. I love the movement at the hem, and the lightness of the skirt. I am wearing it here for an exciting trip to the supermarket on Saturday morning, but imagine that its proper location is wandering along the beach in the early evening. I will be making more of these. Thank you so much Shams for your clever pattern.


I did make one change to Shams' pattern that I will not be using in future versions. One of the commentors at Shams' blog (Janee's originals, no link on the comment) suggested that an oval waist might be preferable to a circle, as tutus are apparently made this way. I thought this idea was worth a try, as my waist dimensions are more ellipse than circle, so instead of cutting a circle with the circumference of my waist, I cut an ellipse, after roughly measuring the lateral and anterior-posterior dimensions of my waist, and using an on-line calculator to tweak the measurements to meet the circumference of my waist.

I drew this out on gridded pattern making interfacing, and lay it out on the folded main pattern piece as instructed in Shams' tutorial, having the top and side edge of my ellipse hanging 1cm off the folded fabric to allow for seam allowance.
This all worked very nicely in the construction phase, and I put the placket at centre back.

However, the oval waist means that the skirt folds hang unevenly. When worn with the longer curve of the oval at the front and back, there is more fall of fabric at the hips. Not my best look.
Fortunately, when the placket is worn at the side (short curve to the front and the back) there are more folds at the front and back than over the hips, and the skirt is more flattering to me.

I will just use the circle waist next time!