Sunday 9 August 2015

Another blue skirt...



Ah, lovely Simplicity 2451! Gorgeous incarnations of this pattern have been popping up on my radar for years - hereherehere and here - the last one even uses leather rescued from one of my old skirts! Despite admiring the skirt greatly, I always disregarded it as a pattern to wear myself as I didn't think the tulip shape and front pleats were really me. Wrong! After making my Anna 6696 dress last year and having to add waist gathers out of necessity, I've since become a convert to a bit of extra room in the front! So when I was in need of a simple, easy-to-wear summer skirt, this pattern came calling.



For fabric I used some lovely Andover Chambray in Indigo from The Village Haberdashery. I can't link to it I'm afraid as I bought it as a bolt end. The piece was 115cms long and it was just enough for this skirt. The chambray is lightweight but still crisp enough to hold a pleat and was very nice to work with. It's also a great neutral colour and matches almost everything I own - which is handy!

The pattern includes some interesting design details such as a curved waistband, pleats to the front and slash side pockets.

These details add a bit of interest to the skirt but it's still relatively easy to sew together. The instructions  were perfectly clear and I sewed it up in an afternoon. The only two changes I made were to substitute a lapped zip for an invisible one and to eliminate the back vent. Based on feedback from other reviewers I went down a size from my actual measurements, cutting a size 12 of view C. This turned out to be a wise move and the fit is great - it sits lower on the waist than I'm used to which makes it super comfortable to wear.


I'm mightily impressed with this pattern, in fact this is the pattern I should have used when I made my herringbone skirt. Instead of faffing around like a halfwit, trying to convert the Kelly skirt into something it wasn't. Ah well, I'll know better next time. And there will definitely be a next time - I'm already thinking of a shorter wool version for autumn…. x




33 comments:

  1. Great choice of fabric for the skirt. It's such a lovely design. I have this cut out and ready to sew as part of my "Six Pattern Skirt Plan". It's next in line after the Yasmin Yoke skirt. Machine is temporarily up the creek, after all the prom dress sewing though.

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    1. Ah, will look out for your version Fiona. I'm hooked, I'll definitely be making another one! x

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  2. Such a cute skirt. I have been adding skirts to my to list for the fall so I hope I will be able to get to them.

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    1. I love making skirts, so much easier to fit than tops! x

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  3. Super stylish skirt! Looks great on you. I love your fabric choice. I am so going to add this on to my to do list...

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  4. I used chambray to make trousers a month ago and suddenly my whole wardrobe has a pair of trousers to go with my handmade tops. I think it is a really great shape. Jo x

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    1. I agree about the chambray, it matches everything! x

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  5. Great skirt, looks perfect, I might have to seek that pattern out.

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  6. I love it. What a fab design and it really suits you.

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  7. Great looking skirt! I am (still) hunting the perfect skirt pattern. I never can seem to find my style in skirts, but I am tempted to try this one, as it has many different options, Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. My pleasure! It's a quick skirt to sew too. x

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  8. Simplicity patterns invariably come up trumps. And does one ever tire of chambray? Great looking skirt.

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    1. I'll never tire of chambray! And I've always had pretty good luck with Simplicity patterns too. Thanks! x

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  9. Cute skirt, Jane. I especially like how you've styled it with the striped top and the blue sandals!

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    1. Thanks Melissa! I must admit, I love that outfit too! x

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  10. Love this, it's such a Jane skirt. I always love your style

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  11. You look really lovely in this! The colour really suits you x

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    1. Thanks Frankie! I'm a bit predictable but blue never fails me! x

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  12. Gorgeous outfit, the top goes nicely with your new skirt. This pattern is one of my favourites too and I've used it twice using prints. Must try it in a block colour too.

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    1. Thank you! I'd like to try the pattern in a print next! x

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  13. I've made one in a plain quilting cotton, which I love, but now I've seen your denimy version I might just have to make another. Aw dang. Jen

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    1. My chambray version is sooo useful, I'm wearing it this very minute! x

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  14. I've just ordered this pattern. Who doesn't love a skirt with pockets? Love your chambray version. I have several planned for work skirts.

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    1. Oh good! I think it would work well as a work skirt. x

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  15. This is a lovely skirt and pattern! I made one in a chambray as well but sadly, the fabric was quite thin and gave at the seams (especially the back seam where I sit down) so there are now thin white lines running along each of the seams where it's pulled. It's also not quite the right sizing; my hips correspond to a bigger size than my waist so it's a bit too tight on my hips, too lose around my waist and rides up. But all that aside, it's a really nice pattern so definitely want to make another!

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    1. Ah that's a shame about your chambray version. You should definitely make another! x

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  16. This looks so gorgeous! I love it! I've had this pattern for ages but was stressed about fit (I've had terrible results with big 4 patterns fitting me poorly). I'll try cutting it out one size down! Thanks for noting that-- it looks awesome on you!

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