The skirt is two layers of taffeta with a couple of layers of stiff netting in between, cut in circles then folded into sixths and trimmed to petal shape. I made the circles extra big to allow me to sew darts in each petal to give them shape. Then I hand-painted the petals, using lots of water (and a serendipitous rain shower while it was drying on the line) to blend. I added some hand stitching where the petals overlap, so that they can’t fall open and expose anything. I wanted the top to reference the calyx of a flower, so this tone on tone striped green knit was perfect (and on sale!). I played with the direction of the stripes while draping the t-shirt to add texture, curved the sleeve edges to resemble the curved hem, and then topped the look off with a flower made from taffeta scraps.
Tiptoe in a Tulip – Project Run and Play Week 1
I have been pondering a tulip skirt for a while, but I didn’t want a traditional tulip skirt, or one of the flat petal skirts I’ve seen; I wanted sculptural shape and coloring so that the skirt would really look like a flower. And then it clicked for me while looking at the themes for this season – a circle skirt is the perfect shape to adapt, because of the way it causes the petals to hang.
Maryanne
I love your hand painted fabric and your model is gorgeous.
Tara-ComfyandPrettyBlog
Oh so beautiful skirt!
Chelise
Great job!
kiki comin
wow..i can tell you spent so much time on that skirt! I have never thought of painting fabric..so fun!:)
JCasa *handmade
what a lovely interpretation of a tulip – your painted petals are so great and i really love how you gathered them to give that poof. well done! xoxo
Jessica
Melissa, I’m amazed at the craftsmanship on that skirt! It really came to life beautifully and looks just like a tulip. I also love the way you draped the shirt and shaped the hem of the sleeves, it’s the perfect complement to the skirt.
nest full of eggs
this is simply stunning !!!
really looking forward to the tutorial because I’d like to try sewing one 😀
Adriana
I really love the way you interpreted this, beautiful design. It is the most ‘tulip-y’ of any tulip skirt I have seen.
Andréann
I’m happy I discovered this blog and I voted for you 😀
kristin
I really, really love that you thought of a brand new concept for the circle skirt, and I love the petals on this! She’s a little tulip! Beautiful.
Ms Moppet
So pretty! My daughter would love this!
Sam
That skirt is really amazing. Looking forward to seeing the tutorial. Are you also planning to do a tutorial for the shirt? It looks so comfy. My girls would love it, but I think I want one for me!
Melissa
Thanks Sam!
The shirt was one I had to figure out as I went along, and I didn’t take pictures, so no tutorial for that 🙁 I’m not surprised you want one – it was based on a women’s shirt I pinned. I may try to replicate it for myself and take pictures when the weather gets cooler here again…which will be like late October!
Stef
I love how you made your vision of a tulip come to life in little girl clothing. A really lovely interpretation! So clever to create petals out of the circle skirt. Great job, Melissa!!
Sparkle and Co
I love this skirt!!! Pictures are awesome! i stopped by via the linky party and I’ll be back very soon!
Linda
That skirt is pretty darn cute!! Nice work. I like to sew skirts also. Linda
Kaysi @ Keeping it Simple
Love this skirt, you are so amazing!!
Heather Perkins
Wow this is so adorable! You did an amazing job, your hard work paid off! Thanks so much for sharing at Party Time at So Very Creative!
Jessica Stoker
You are a genius, I love your take on the circle skirt. And this is perfect for spring. Please come and link up this week at our Bright Colors party on Wed.
http://www.acoupleofcraftaddicts.blogspot.com
Good luck next week, can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Jill @ KitchenFunWithMy3Sons.com
Love this! We just posted our Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday link party and would love for you to share this!
http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2012/04/kitchen-fun-and-crafty-friday-link_19.html
Alison @ Oopsey Daisy
What little girl wouldn’t love this?! Heck, I want one for me! 🙂 So beautiful. Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!