A fellow sewing blogger recommended the show The Tudors to me, then told me to give it more of a chance after I was unimpressed with the first couple of episodes. I am now completely hooked. Even if I were not interested in the plot or characters, the clothes alone are worth watching for. I love how they combine fabrics and manipulate trims.
After a few episodes, I came to the conclusion that I need a bit of Tudors style in my wardrobe. In my stash, I had some richly colored velvet and some contrasting silk charmeuse that would do nicely. I spent last weekend cutting the strips and sewing them together to make stripes. Then I draped them to my form to make a pleated skirt. I hope it becomes something that I actually wear. It is a bit costume-y, but I resisted the urge to make a matching blouse, thinking that a whole ensemble would be just a bit too precious. I am going to try to wear it with a sweater or cardigan and boots. One thing that it has going for it is that I don’t have many long full skirts in my wardrobe, and the ones I do have are in heavy rotation.
For the seam finish, I used a modified Hong Kong finish. This is not an all-purpose seam finish. It only works when you are joining 2 fabrics of very different weights.
place the fabrics wrong sides together. Stitch close to raw edge.
flip the silk to the wrong side, encasing the seam allowance. Stitch close to previous seam.
action shot
- I used grosgrain in the waist. I hand-stitched it down, which is harder to see on the outside than the inside.
- The hanger view
The zipper is inside on of the pleats. I put a pocket there, too.
Rolling in Cloth 
16 Comments
I agree with your opinion of the Tudors – I wasn’t all that thrilled with the series or even the casting of the actors but the costumes! I watched it strictly for the costumes. The Duke of Sufflok jackets were just incredible. Your skirt is lovely and really regal. A new series is starting about the Medici of the Italian Renaissance – hopfully the costumes will be just as lavish.
Putting the zipper within the pleats was genius! I love it.
Count me in as another big Tudors fan! I really love everything about this skirt, it’s absolutely beautiful.
Regal colors. Fantastic skirt.
Young Victoria was phenomenal for great outfits, I watched it last night.
My favorite of all time was Marie Antoinette with Kirsten Dunst. You would LOVE those costumes.
I don’t have cable 🙂
But I did think of making a dress with this type of contrast pleats. Looks like a lot of sewing to clean up the inside, but the result is great!
I am sad that you have not made tudor-striped knee britches. 🙂 Seriously, what a fun skirt, and beautifully styled in the first photo.
Oh, man, knee britches would be so much fun!
Love your skirt! And the Tudors! I made a similar skirt way back in the day. Called it my 1930’s cheerleading skirt. Red and white.
Your skirt is amazingly beautiful.
Your skirt is stunning and shows wonderful skill.
The Tudors was my favorite period of history, so I had some issues with the series, but I got past it because of the costumes. Still have to catch up on the most recent series. This skirt is awesome, and I can completely get your inspiration without it being costume-y in the least.
On to the knee britches? You could carry them off, you know you could . . .
Love your skirt , I think that as long as you keep the accompaniments plain and simple as you have ,you can wear this without any threat of looking too precious. I agree with the britches , maybe those that look like a cross between a bubble skirt and cullotts . Thanks for the seam treatment . havent see that before . I really like your skirt with the boots there is something that is so right about mixing the docs with that skirt. I enjoy your blog very much . Thanks for the effort you put in.
Now I know I looked at and saw this amazing skirt but I can’t believe I didn’t leave a comment! I love how you put this together…and I’m glad you got into The Tudors. The costumes were amazing but the jewels…OMG! They wore so many amazing pearl pieces that I would watch it on ondemand so that I could stop it and stare at the jewels!
I just found your blog! You are very talented and I look forward to new posts!
Thank you
HI there. Claudia?
I have just seen your post on ‘BURDA STYLE’ of your ‘Tudor skirt’ It looks amazing, and I’d like to know the pattern you used, if you’d be able to send me a link maybe? that would be really helpful, you can email me if you want, what ever is easiest! Many thanks,
Louisa Campbell
Thanks! I did not use a pattern. I sewed the strips together, then draped it on a form to get the fit. You should be able to adapt a pleated skirt pattern for this.
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