I always covet decorative attires that are artistic in finest details and forms, especially the DIY projects I worked on you’d barely see plain, non-adorned pieces, 70% of the work were painstakingly hand sewn.  I guess it enlightens me whilst deeply immersed in it productively and creatively, but tainted questioning often present in between process like, ‘Why am I doing this to myself? Ditch the hand sewing method, use adhesive dumbo’.  My DIY skills can be a little radical, I have my own ethics they’re simple and comprehendible – scale, time, technique and perfection.

This DIY McQ AW12 inspired applique skirt I did for Marie Claire Mexico (out in Feb’13  is one of the most basic and time consuming projects I ever worked on (and proud of).  What you’ll need are: black petticoat or ruffle skirt, small floral print cotton fabrics in multiple colours, sharp scissors, white cotton thread and sewing needle.  The instructions are pretty simple, you basically cut around the floral print motifs into hundred pieces, don’t worry about the fray edges.  Start from the top of the skirt, hand stitch the middle flower motif to the skirt material.  The top area should be accumulated with sewn flowers, and gradually sparse close to the hemline. Estimate time of completion is 2.5 days.

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McQ AW12 images via Style.com, floral print cotton fabric from Dalston Mill Fabrics in Dalston, black petticoat from Angels Fancy Dress, location shot in Pergola and Hill Garden (as known as a secret garden to the locals) in Hampstead.