Making a 'Feather Maxi Skirt' with Anna Maria Horner

A FEATHER MAXI SKIRT?! how cool would that be…. or so I have been saying for about 10 years, since I first saw this class by Anna Maria Horner on Creative Bug. It has taken me so long to get around to crossing this off my ‘to make’ list and yet again, I am left wondering why on earth it is so, when I always knew it was a lovely project.

Back then, when I first saw this, I subscribed to CreativeBug to help me with my new found hobby of quilting. Even though it is a while since then, I have still got access to the classes that I especially loved and usually they were Anna Maria’s. I’m a huge fan of her Boho style and this skirt has always stayed with me as something I should like to try. In the class Anna Maria guides you through making the feathers and drafting a skirt pattern to your size as well as showing you how to put it all together. You can still find access to this if you are interested and there is lots of cool stuff on there, so check it out here.

Fast forward to today and the other two key ingredients that were needed to spur me into action : firstly a wander through Marks & Spencers on my way to the opticians and a glance across at a linen maxi skirt just sitting there on the rail. It was exactly like the one Anna Maria actually makes in the class (and this was probably what stopped me making it before as I am a nervous dressmaker). I walked over and looked at it. A lovely chocolate brown which would fit into my wardrobe perfectly, with a wide elastic waist for comfort and available in a petite length. ( I had to order the shorter size, but it came in a couple of days). It is strange how the mind works because I instantly knew this skirt was for this project, even though it had been languishing somewhere in the depths of the sewing compartment in my brain for years, literally. Secondly : an occasion…. yes, I usually need an occasion to spur me into action and usually it’s fairly last minute too. My big Sis is celebrating a special wedding anniversary this weekend, so better get cracking!

Raiding my stash for fabrics was the best bit. After watching the class a couple of times, I decided to take the teacher’s advice and not over think the fabric choices. I just grabbed a few contrasting patterns and colour ways and jumbled them all up for the strip piecing. It was a real joy and honestly the feathers were just gorgeous. I think they would look fabulous on a quilt too.

I chose a cream fabric for the stems because feathers have creamy colour stems and also I know most of my smartest jumpers and cardigans are cream or ivory, but Anna Maria’s are a much darker colour and they look beautiful as well. It is completely right as well that the mismatch of brightly coloured fabrics just looks glorious and it isn’t worth to dwell on this too much when picking your fabrics.

As soon as I started placing them on the skirt, I knew it was going to look super pretty.

I machined the stems in place and then set about hand appliquéing the edges of the feather. I did press these under before I started as I am not great at ‘needleturn appliqué’ as in the video. With tiny stitches it looks neat and flat and is so worth to do by hand. It was quite therapeutic in fact.

The feathers add weight to the skirt and make it hang nicely and they just look so pretty. I only used six feathers unlike the 8 in the class and for little ol’ me, it is just about perfect. I can’t believe this is now in my wardrobe. I am totally thrilled to bits and loving mixing up combinations that work with it.

I’m ready for the party now and I just know that this skirt is going to get a lot of wear - with sandals for summer and boots for winter, it is just the kind of Boho style that I love.

I think what is really great about this project is that you can add these feathers to any skirt that you have and I am sure that they will look fabulous. Personally, I am rediscovering the art of wearing skirts…it’s been a while….and it is time to find my hippy chick vibe again. Perhaps it is the long long winter that we have had, or all the problems associated with trying (unsuccessfully) to move house, but whatever it is, I’m ready. It’s a lot of fun and now a totally original addition to my wardrobe. This year, is going to be the year of the skirt, I think!

Ta ra….Ruby xx