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Friday 20 March 2015

Marilla Walker's Evan Skirt!

Marilla has released a new pattern and it's an absolute beauty!  I was lucky enough to be asked to test it, despite failing miserably to do so the last two times she asked me to test new patterns.  Thank you very much for asking again!


The pattern is for a denim style skirt that falls either just below the knee or at the ankles à la 90s.  Marilla and I are almost exactly the same age so her description really rang true with me:

"It has a retro seventies appeal with a hint of the nineties thrown in for good measure, which as a seventies baby (tail end of) and nineties teenager/young adult is not really that surprising."


I went for the shorter version but omitted the pin tucked pockets as the details would have got lost in the print.  For my next skirt I would like to make a plain denim or chambray version with all the top stitching, pin tucks and belt loops.  This would be such a good plain skirt to have in rotation to mix with all the patterned tops I have.


I made a straight size 4 and the fit is really good all over (except for being a bit snug on the waist, which I knew it would be as all my skirts are at the moment - I've got my trainers back out though so it's all in hand!!).  The length is perhaps a bit longer than I would normally go for but this is the second skirt in a row I've made this length and I like it.  


Because of all the genuine denim skirt details like the fly zip, back pockets, back yoke, belt loops (made but not attached yet) and front split this skirt took longer to make than most but I really enjoyed the experience.  I had never put a fly zip in before and although mine is in backwards (Marilla has since clarified the instructions - and I think I was tired when I read them!) I really loved learning a new technique.  


The fabric I used to make this came as a gift from Marilla back in the summer when we met up to go to the Matisse exhibition at the Tate Modern.  It was such a lovely surprise and I have been saving it for the right thing which hadn't materialised.  It felt like fate to pair it with this pattern, even though I had slightly more than I needed.  It's got so many colours in that I think it will be easy to find things to wear with it.  I've worn it three times this week (including with my new Bonnie, which went really well!) so has slotted in to my wardrobe really well and is filling a gap I didn't know was there!  


Marilla has also just released a free skirt pattern which she hopes to raise some money for Breast Cancer Care with.  I think this is such a generous thing of her to do.  I have downloaded my copy of the Ilsley Skirt and I have plans which include a bit of a pattern hack and some refashioning!  



6 comments:

  1. Love it, the fabric is amazing and with so many colours will go with anything! It's a lovely pattern and reminds me of a long denim one I had in the nineties, I used to wear it with trainers and a raglan baseball top! 😊

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    1. Thank you Helen, it is getting worn a lot!

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  2. Looks lovely- that fabric is gorgeous!! I think its going to be a great skirt pattern to have in rotation too- so versatile. Cant wait to see your next version!

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    1. Thank you Amanda, I do love the fabric. I like a bit of colour!

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  3. This is so cool. I love that print and the general shape. Bet you make lots more of these!

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  4. Love, love, love the fabric and the skirt looks absolutely great on you. Well done (You and Rilla, both)

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