Hi there! I was excited to get stuck into another project for Jenny Stitches as part of her blogger team. This time I have chosen to use her Navy Check Stretch Cotton Suiting to make a Friday Pattern Company ‘Bernadette Skirt’. I’ve chosen this project after seeing countless mini, A-line and pleated skirts and skorts in the shops, and I know this is a style that will see me through Autumn and Winter (and let’s face it Spring and some of Summer too in the UK!).
I was over the moon when the fabric arrived as it was exactly what I was hoping for. I had tried a few skirts and skorts on in the shops, but even though I’m a pretty average height, I think I’d be flashing on a daily basis in most of them! I guess that’s the beauty of making your own clothes – you can make a skirt exactly the length you want. I was quite keen to avoid any skirts that demand you to do that awkward pull down and readjust every time you get out of your seat or bend, and I can confirm that I have achieved my objective. This is a really comfy skirt to wear as the pleats create more ease, yet there are darts in the back for shaping around the bottom. I really like this as it prevents the skirt from ‘sticking out’ too much at the back and gives it a more fitted appearance. It’s also worth noting that when you sit down in the Bernadette skirt it doesn’t rise up due to the extra fabric in the pleating. I have a few Sew Over it Ava skirts (a simple classic A-line skirt) which I absolutely love, but they do appear much shorter when seated.
I was really hoping to make a skirt that could be smart or casual depending on what it was paired with. The fabric has a smallish simple check design that isn’t too fussy and as an added bonus made pattern matching and cutting much easier. The cotton content gives the fabric a crispness, and it has a good bit of weight to it which helps to hold the pleats. I have made a midi length Bernadette skirt previously, using a drapey, cotton sateen and chose not to press the pleats very far down the length of the skirt for this version. However, I wanted to make a feature of the pleats this time around and chose to really spend some time pressing those pleats fully into the front skirt panel all the way to the hem. I don’t think you would know that my midi length, drapey, summer skirt was even the same pattern as this cotton suiting version. They really do look and feel completely different! I take that as a massive thumbs up for the pattern, as it can made and worn throughout the year and used to create the same but VERY different skirt so easily.
I really enjoyed this make. It is quite straightforward, with an invisible/concealed side zip and D-Ring belt. The pattern includes a little bag/pouch that can be threaded onto the belt, but I didn’t think that would suit the style of this skirt. The skirt is joined at the sides, and there is no separate waistband piece which means it is a great pattern for checks and fabric that are a nightmare to pattern match.
I think my skirt will be easy to pair with t-shirts, sweatshirts and trainers or jumpers, tights and boots or even shirts, blouses and heels. I think it is really versatile and wearable and definitely worth spending the time to make rather than getting a badly fitting ready to wear skirt in a shop. The fabric is absolutely perfect and I’d imagine would look equally as brilliant made into a waistcoat, blazer or trousers.
Inspired to make your own version? Here's what you'll need:
Fabric : Check Stretch Cotton Suiting
Pattern : Friday Pattern Company Bernadette Skirt
[Disclosure: Maz was provided with the materials for her project free of charge and received a gift voucher in recognition of the time spent on her project.]