Design Preview Report: Doodlecore Embroidered Skirt

Project Planning

While deciding what to do for my main project, I considered various options such as a pull-tab book, kite, shelf, backpack, clothing, pop-up book, etc. After considering the time and money I’ll be spending on this project, I decided to make something that would be functional in my daily life. Moreover, I could use this as an opportunity to develop/try out/learn a new skill.

I have an old sewing machine at home, and embroidery is a hobby that I’ve always been interested in trying. So why not sew something and embroider it? It would combine my interests and let me develop a skill that I could/would continue to use. I’ve also heard that sewing is an expensive hobby, and I have a $150 budget for this project. 

After consulting a few sewing websites and blogs, I settled on a full circle skirt because it was considered a beginner project. The main pattern is basically a donut shape, so most of the sewing would be in the hemming and waistband. Skirts are also dynamic by nature. Since the design is so simple, there are many websites that show you the step-by-step process and circle skirt calculators to help with dimensions.

Inspiration & Vision

Since this is something that I’ll keep and wear in the future, I want it to be something that would fit in my aesthetic. Moreover, I decided to make a circle skirt because I adore the flowy, twirly aspects of them. Hence, I wanted the design, theme, and aesthetic to also highlight the flowing feeling. Additionally, I wanted a somewhat simplistic but whimsical embroidery pattern that wouldn’t overtake the entire skirt because I don’t have that much time.

A common aesthetic in my work is whimsical and doodly, influenced by my childhood of sketching a lot of things and never inking (because I could never draw a line that I was satisfied with). Furthermore, I’ve developed a love for the freedom of sketches and watercolors—the imperfections and slight messiness—and these seem to fit the aesthetic of doodlecore: simplistic and doodly.As I thought about the design, I considered ways to combine my aesthetic with different themes. In the process, I came up with a list of things that I didn’t want:

• florals because it’s very common and the first thing you’re shown when looking up “embroidery”
• patterned/busy background because it could take away from embroidery
• all embroidery because it takes too long and I prefer highlighting one section
• scattered embroidery because I wanted it to be cohesive
• minimal machine sewing because I’m not confident in my skills with a sewing machine
• etc.

and used those as a base for my design process.

While looking through circle skirt designs, I came across the ‘storyline’ style of circle skirts, specifically the poodle skirt. Their simplicity and freedom appealed to me. Moreover, I could easily combine the style with my personal aesthetic. I sketched various top-down designs for skirts. Of those sketches, the geometric design could be adjusted to fit the formalism aesthetic.

For the alternate aesthetics, I could see some of the alternate designs using a reflective fabric as the base or a heavily maximalism pattern.  Additionally, I could’ve gone with a different type of skirt such as a pencil skirt for minimalism or a maxi-tiered skirt for maximalism. Essentially, concepts and/or materials that are part of the list of things I didn’t want in my final design.

I decided to go with the water-themed design. While thinking about designs, I wanted a set of elemental designs. However, I couldn’t think of a design that appealed to me. One of my pod members suggested designing the abstract feeling of elements. After some consideration, I created an abstract water design inspired by the whiplash curves of art nouveau hair. After consulting some of my classmates, I’ve decided to sew a white skirt and use lighter shades of blue for the design. 

 

Additionally, I plan on sewing a second skirt inspired by lantern festivals. This is an additional project that I’ll finish if and only if I finish embroidering the water-themed skirt ahead of time. I had considered a gradient for this design by either dyeing a black gradient on yellow fabric or bleaching black fabric and dyeing it yellow. Since I bought black polyester/spandex fabric, I’ve decided not to. The internet said that you shouldn’t bleach polyester/spandex fabric.

I want to incorporate the random lines and holes in my sketches because they give the design more character. Specifically, I feel like the overlap and imperfections in the “water” make the design feel more alive and free. It also makes the design better fit my artistic aesthetic. As for the lanterns, I’ll have the redesign the sketches a little because I’m not completely satisfied with the current pattern.

One of my pod members (Mia) suggested an underskirt of some kind to make it more twirly. It would give the skirt some lift and structure, making it feel more full. So, I decided to sew a separate tulle underskirt because it shouldn’t be too difficult (famous last words). Then, I could use it for other skirts too.

Timeline

Materials

For my materials, I already have Le Paon embroidery floss, embroidery needles, and embroidery hoops. I also bought a roll of embroidery backing and a washable fabric marker to stabilize and sketch the embroidery patterns. I’ve considered buying bias tape, temporary fabric glue, and/or iron-on fabric tape to help with hemming/sewing. I don’t trust my sewing machine skills, so they seem like potential options if I have trouble hemming the skirt.

I’ve been gathering supplies for this project for a while, so I was only missing the fabrics. Before buying the fabric, I had to decide on the final colors and research suitable apparel fabrics. I initially planned on getting a blended cotton-polyester knit fabric because I liked the texture.

Eventually, I bought a few yards of knit 96% polyester 4% spandex coconut-milk and solid black fabric from Joann. I decided to use knit polyester/spandex because they were stretchy and the softest knit fabrics I found in the store that were the right color. I bought enough fabric for both skirts and some extra in case I mess up. Despite expecting expensive prices, I still underestimated how costly fabric was. I also bought 7 yards of bright white tulle fabric which was only a fraction of the price.

I tested the bleeding of my materials by cutting out scraps and mixing them in soapy water. They didn’t bleed and blend together in the soapy water or onto the tissue paper afterwards, so I think the materials should be fine. Moreover, polyester/spandex fabrics are less prone to bleeding compared to natural fabrics. 

Practice, Prototyping, & Progress

Since I’ve never really embroidered before, I had to practice and test beforehand. Hence, I started embroidering a flower on a piece of scrap fabric. It hasn’t been too difficult, but that’s probably because I have some experience hand sewing things.

My main worry for this project is the sewing machine. Before 2025, the sewing machine had been sitting in the garage for several years—untouched. I had used it when I was younger, but that was so long ago. In preparation for this project (and future projects), I first fixed and learned how to operate it. I looked through simple sewing projects and decided to try sewing some fabric headbands using remnant scraps.

The cutting was okay, but the sewing went pretty bad. The fabric kept scrunching up and the edges always unaligned themselves. I kept on resewing and ripping the seams until they were decently straight. This was probably because of my inexperienced and the incorrect sewing foot. If my memory’s correct, the original “correct” sewing foot metal, but I didn’t find anything like that in the box. Hence, I’m considering no-sew methods of attaching the hem and waistband.

Afterward, I sewed a prototype circle skirt using old bedsheets. It was okay, and the process helped me better judge the dimensions of a circle skirt. I plan on using the prototype as a practice piece for the final skirts. I also cut the main patterns for the final skirts earlier this week because I was procrastinating on my other assignments.