Talk of the town - Domki Budnickie

I have always liked photography and have used it previously to create a pattern that was printed on a fabric. 

This time, I used a photo I took during our trip to Poznań in Poland and decided to use it as a print for a skirt and bag -  and as an inspiration for a matching hat.

Domki Budnicze (Budnicy Houses); source: private

"Perhaps the most recognisable Poznań sight: the picture-book-worthy, technicolor row of townhouses planted right in the middle of the Main Square. Originally called “herring shops” (budy śledziowe), they were home to merchants and their arcades held fish, candle, torch and salt stands. They were later renamed to Budnicy Houses (domki budnicze) in honour of a class of merchants known as Budnicy, whose headquarters used to operate at No.117. Look closely and you’ll see their coat of arms on the facade: three palm trees and a herring." (source www.inyourpocket.com)

The skirt pattern is just a plain rectangle gathered on the top. The row of houses created a border print. I wanted to minimise the amount of vertical seams so there are only two side seams (to include in-seam pockets) and a centre back seam for the concealed zip.

I ordered a print from Bags of Love and chose a denim fabric just to see how it worked. I thought it would be stiff enough to keep a full shape of the skirt and also be more 'casual'. I didn't want to use any shiny fabrics like sateen because it would limit the occasions to wear this already eye-catchy skirt. The hem is trimmed with my favourite red pompoms and I wear a petticoat to give it even more fullness.

I like matchy-matchy stuff, so I decided to order a printed leatherette and make a matching bag. Again, the print itself was decorative enough that I just chose my most popular model of the bag with bottom corners made of dyed Washpapa (vegan leather) in fuchsia. I also used Washpapa to make matching handles, tassel and label.

And, yes, you see it right! I even made a matching hat and I really enjoyed it. I used leftovers of felt and Washpapa to 'build' those small, colourful houses with shiny roofs. That was fun!