I have always loved wrap skirts and dresses – and right now I’m crushing on this one.
Love this skirt! Megan Neilsen’s Cascade Skirt (sheltering from a strong on-shore breeze!)
This is Megan Neilsen’s Cascade skirt and it’s a simple, satisfying make. It’s essentially a wrap circle skirt, with the curve cutting away across the front pieces to achieve this lovely cascade effect.
It’s just four pattern pieces, the back, two front pieces and the waist band. The side seams are French seams and the hem is rolled. If you don’t have a roll hem foot (like me) I would advise some endurance refreshments as you sew around that hem THREE times – it’s a monster! Not to mention trimming the hem before you roll it. Patience has never been one of my virtues (in fact… I’m just trying to recall any of my virtues…).
the NeverEndingHem
Other than the NeverEndingHem, this is really a very simple make.
I somehow managed to squash this skirt out of two metres – without doing anything terribly dodgy in the cutting/grainline department. I was so determined to make the skirt from this fabric – nothing else would do. The waistband was cut from the length of the fabric – the only piece of fabric I had left after I cut out the front and back pieces. This fabric is very very soft and I think making the button waistband option would have been a disaster. I also interfaced the waistband – just around my waist to give the fabric a little more endurance.
THE skirt of summer…
This is a long skirt. I’m a stately 5 foot 4 – Megan Neilsen’s model for this skirt is 5 foot 9 – just sayin’ as it explains why this is so much longer on me! Some people have chopped off the length to make it more mid-calf – personally I like it long, I love the sweep of the skirt and how the front ripples open as you walk. In a steady onshore breeze people got to see plenty of my legs – I spared you the ‘legs’ shots… I know, I’m good like that.
Confession: I’ve never been much of a fan of the high-low hem – or the mullet hem as I call it – however as a wrap skirt, that moves and flutters as you walk, this is quite lovely.
Perfectly soft viscose rayon for this design
I had no plans to get the skirt pattern, however when I was in Melbourne for Frocktails and doing a ‘small’ spot of fabric shopping with the girls, I found this blissful viscose rayon at Darn Cheap Fabrics (note this one is not available online, I’ve checked). It’s reminiscent of Monet or the sun setting over the water and I immediately wanted to make the Cascade Skirt with it – it just seemed perfect… Busy Lizzie (in Brissy) got some of this fabric – so let’s see what she does with it!
Cascade Skirt – the back view. It was a windy afternoon!
For me this is a perfect summer casual skirt. It replaces a sarong to put over my swimmers, it’s easy to wear with flip-flops and a t-shirt/singlet, and after this beach blog shoot I threw on strappy silver heels and a tight denim jacket for a casual dinner.
you can wear it strolling on the beach…
on the beach…
and just dipping your toes in the water…
dipping my toes in…
or just a spot of idle daydreaming…
daydreaming…
Also see: Lladybird | Cut Cut Sew | Holly Dolly Blog | Sleek Silhouette
Note: Blog post dedicated to Leah of a Little Stone Cottage a brand new sewing blogger who grew up in Port Macquarie and I think misses out beautiful beaches and weather! Mwah 🙂
Sew Busy Lizzy 
Oh, I love this skirt on you. A fabric and pattern match in heaven. I went back to Darn Cheap for some of there rayons that I couldn’t decide on on Frocktails shopping day. The benefits of living near Melbourne fabric shops!
I’m thinking about seeing if they could send me samples of their rayons, they have a great selection & I loooovvve my rayon! Their range was great, if a little overwhelming…
Look forward to seeing your makes pop up!
The skirt is gorgeous! Perfect combo of fabric and movement I think. I would love to make one but not really an Irish climate skirt I think.
Thanks for the dedication! Am blissfully dreaming of home while I make my cuppa tea and porridge. Port looks as beautiful as ever x
Perhaps then I shall make myself another and wear it on your behalf 😉
Absolutely gorgeous! And that fabric is just perfect, I love it. Like you I’ve never been a fan of the mullet effect, but somehow the cascade skirt makes it look cool. And I’m very jealous of you lot just heading into summer. I went to the beach yesterday and it was definitely autumnal.
Thanks x
We have been spoilt this year with a generally warm & sunny winter so I suspect summer will be a scorcher!
I’ll make sure I do list of sunny beach shots & channel some sunshine your way!
That is the perfect fabric. The skirt looks absolutely wonderful, and I can almost – almost! – feel the sand between my toes.
Thanks Karen x
I had one of those wonderful moments when the fabric just knew what it wanted to be 🙂
Superb fabric choice Lizzy it’s like it was made for this pattern. I loves it!!
It would have been criminal to make anything else! Thanks 🙂
Dreamy, just dreamy! Perfect choice of fabric. And such gorgeous photos too 🙂
Thank J. Not as perfect as your circle skirt pictures but a lovely day for it!
This is just gorgeous. Love those colours and the way the stripes work within the shape of the skirt.
I was a bit worried about the stripes across & around the front but I think the cascading of the fabric saves it.
Simply stunning.
*blushes*
I’m in love with your skirt…
Me too. Arm wrestle?
Very pretty skirt. Great job on the never ending hem and gorgeous photos as always.
My husband is very good with the camera!
Oh wow, that fabric was destined for that skirt! Looks fabulous Lizzy!
I was at the end of a rather indulgent fabric spree but I ‘had to’ have this one!
Fabulous idea to use that fabric Lizzy! I love that cascade skirt on you looks perfect on the beach! x
Thanks Stevie!
Oh I am loving this on you! I’m not a big fan of the mullet hems either but there is something about this skirt that makes it work. Gorgeous fabric too!
I think it’s the folds at the front, it sort of kills the mega high-low look. I think it’s those barely gathered minis with drop to a straight maxi at the back which are truly hideous.
I’ve never been a fan of the mullet skirt either, I first saw them when we visited Australia in January 2012. Wish I’d known about Darn Cheap Fabrics, but we did find Tessuti (well more to the point I dragged Beloved there, who had a chat with one of the assistants who had emigrated from Newcastle upon Tyne, which is where he hails from – it’s a small world). But after seeing your fandabulous skirt, I’m a convert. Beloved and I go ballroom dancing, and I’m imagining myself waltzing around in Cascade skirt *sigh*.
Oh it would be perfect for that!
I’ve never been a mullet hem kinda girl either but like Kat said, it just seems to WORK with this pattern. Every version I’ve seen is gorgeous (yours is no exception- love that you kept the length for extra billowy goodness 🙂 ) and I’m inching ever closer to giving this pattern a go.
It’s funny, you think you loathe a style until you seem it this way. I agree every version of this skirt is pretty!
Lovely pattern and fabric combo. This skirt is definitely most at home at the beach! Looks great!
It’s perfect for the beach and looked lovely dressed up for dinner with heels too. More versatile than I first thought!
Its like a fabric sunset on the beach- just lovely.
Agreed. Me meeting this fabric was kismet!
Can I get a WOOT WOOT for those legs? Gurl you FINE. This is the perfect pattern/fabric pairing. I love it!
Thanks lovely!
It’s beautiful -so romantic 🙂
It does feel swoshy, girly & feminine!
Looks great! That fabric is perfect for it, good on you squeezing it out of 2 metres of fabric. 🙂
I was a little stressed about fitting it to 2m but if was clearly meant to be!
Lovely skirt! And I LOVE the fabric, looks gorgeous on you!
The fabric is divine. So glad I got it, I nearly didn’t!
It’s beautiful. Perfect for a stroll on the beach. You are making me miss summer and it’s not even quite over here yet!
Awwww, the best thing about you summer disappearing is that it will come back… eventually!
gorgeous make!! i’m totally crushing over this pattern, but as fall is steadily approaching it’ll have to wait… looks beautiful on you!
Thanks, it’s funny how when you find the right fabric there is only one pattern in the world for it. I really recommend this pattern, yes it’s simple but every version I’ve seen is lovely.
Gorgeous skirt. The fabric is absolutely perfect. As usual your pictures are beautiful! 🙂 ~Laurie
My husband is becoming a master blog photographer. I’m a lucky girl!
Your cascade is beautiful. That was the perfect print for it.
I couldn’t have made anything else with that fabric!
It’s just lovely! It looks just as good as the one in the look book.
That’s an awesome compliment!
beautiful. ive had my eye on this pattern since it launched. perhaps next summer!
Beautiful beautiful skirt and beautiful beautiful setting. ‘Tis all.
My husband took gorgeous pictures – trickier than it looked it was a strong onshore breeze and the sun was in the wrong place but we managed in the end – and we found that lovely green cave!
Great idea!
It’s so beautiful Lizzy!
Awww shucks *blushes*
Wow! You look stunning!
My husband does take good pictures! Thanks x
Beautiful. So far I haven’t seen a Cascade I didn’t like! Your fabric is downright scrumptious!
It’s a sleeper this pattern, yes very simple but also very lovely – on everyone!
This is a dreamy skirt. Both the colours and style you’ve used make this timeless and edgy. And you’ve chosen a great setting too.
It was one of those projects that just came together beautifully. Thanks x
Oooooh! Gorgeous! 🙂
Thank you! The breeze was a little warmer to your glorious chilly wind swept shots!
Superb, as usual!
Thanks x
Beautiful skirt and setting. I love how it drapes and your fabric is just lovely.
It’s a perfect pattern for drapey fabrics, lets the fabric sing and there aren’t too many fussy details to give you a nightmare!
A perfect match of fabric and pattern! Love it 😀
Thanks Manda!
Lovely. Perfect fabric! Love this pattern and you rock it like a boss.
I have just made this too 🙂
Yours is lovely!
Beautiful skirt, beautiful fabric, and beautiful photos! I am definitely making this one.
You should! It’s a lovely, fun & rewarding make.
Wow! The skirt looks amazing – thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thank you!
That is the perfect fabric for that skirt, what a find! Beautiful job on the skirt.
It was a happy day when I spied this bolt of fabric!!
BEAUTIFUL!! I really like the extra length in the back – gives the skirt a little more somethin’ somethin’ (and it makes me frantically scour my fabric shelves in search for a big length of floaty fabric to make another Cascade. THANKS A LOT ;))
Thank you! I’m not very tall but it doesn’t swamp me, think it’s the softness of the fabric and how it falls – looks awesome with heels too!
Fabric busting fairies at your service!
STUNNING! The drape of your rayon is a perfect compliment to this pattern. I really love the fullness of the skirt; it’s very dramatic; even if it does mean having to sew a neverending hem.
So true – the skirt outcome was worth a trip three times around that hem!
This is lovely! I’m not normally a big fan of the hi-lo hem but like this it’s very appealing! And great fabric choice. x
The Cascade just ‘works’ – great pattern.
Gorgeous skirt! I really love the length on you, I cut mine way shorter, but maybe I’ll make a longer verison next.. Great fabric too!
I love the length too, it looks fabulous with strappy heeled sandals too!
You’re bang on – I don’t think there was ever a better fabric to pattern match. This pairing was made in heaven… I’m another that is left cold with the hi-lo hem, but your skirt (Megan’s skirt?) has such a soft, whimsical feel to it that I’m drawn in. Looking gorgeous!
It’s funny how some things that you think are hideous can actually sing if they are paired with the right fabric. Goes to show sewing is KING!
This is amazing, breathtaking!! You found the perfect fabric for this pattern! I love the colors and stripes, it looks like water in sunset colors. Thanks for the link to mine, it is one of my favorite hand made items 🙂 I wore it to the beach recently and it was perfect over a swimsuit. I also love walking down stairs in it, it kind of billows out behind me and I feel so dramatic, haha.
It does have that dramatic effect when you wear it, doesn’t it? I felt fabulous striding along the beach in a billow of fabric 🙂
The skirt does look great on you 🙂 and I just love the term “mullet hem” 😀
It’s a common term down under – usually used in reference to tragic haircuts!
Oh, I knew the mullet – just not applied to a hem, lol!
I love this skirt. Just beautiful, especially on the beach.
It’s a lovely make to wear, sometimes the simplest things are the best!
Absolutely beautiful!!! I always love your pictures, too. These are seriously gorgeous!!
That’s lovely to hear, I try to make an effort to go somewhere lovely. This weekend we took some at the zoo! Not v.glamorous but it was fun… Watch this space!
Ahhh, this is stunning! This really is the perfect summer skirt! I’m green with envy looking at your lovely beaches yet again– what an amazing landscape!
It is rather amazingly beautiful where I live. It’s easy to get blasé about it but you guys always remind me how gorgeous it truly is.
No wonder you were determined to use this fabric, it’s just perfect for the pattern! You also must have the patience of a saint to tackle that hem without a rolled hem foot! Well worth it though, it looks gorgeous
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Ooooo this mullet works a treat :). Gorgeous m’dear.
Yes, I LOVE this make, mullet or not!
Wow, gorgeous skirt and fabric! I would love for you to add this to my weekly linkup for selfish sewing! http://laurendahl.com/sew-selfish-episode-2-and-nothing-to-show/