Pattern: Grainline Studios Moss Mini Skirt
Fabric: Gifted corduroy from my mom’s fabric stash
Size: 4
Top: Self-drafted pattern; sweatery knit fabric from Gorgeous Fabrics
Leggings: Tommy Hilfiger
It’s kinda funny – I think I wear shorter skirts in the fall/wintertime than in the spring/summer. My hemlines tend to go higher and higher because of all the boots, leggings, and tights I love to wear when the temperatures dip – I’m much more modest with my hems when my legs aren’t covered. I thought a couple of my skirts were on the short side but in actuality, this is probably the shortest skirt in my closet now. Yikes!
I loveloveloved this pattern! As soon as I saw it available in Jen’s shop, I knew I had to have it and make it for the fall. I’m not a fan of downloadable sewing patterns a la Burdastyle – all of the printer paper, taping the pieces together, cutting all of it out – but with a project as small as a skirt, it didn’t seem like it’d be too tricky or time-consuming to do.
I had a couple of firsts with this skirt: first time sewing with corduroy (did you know the name is derived from the french for “cord du roi,” or “king’s cord?”) and first time sewing a fly front zipper. Well actually, the latter is not true, I stitched one before on a pair of red shorts, but it looked horrible and the shorts didn’t fit at all. So my track record on fly front zippers before this skirt was not good. After studying Jen’s photo-tutorial on her blog, reading my Complete Book of Sewing, and ripping out some stitches, I’m pretty happy with how this zipper turned out. Not perfect, but passable.
I also practiced my topstitching skills, something I don’t get to use a whole lot when sewing knit dresses. I swear that seam in the back is not crooked…
And this skirt has pockets! These are the best kind of pockets, a diagonal seamed pocket that doesn’t gape open. The lining fabric is out of some leftover quilting fabric I had in my stash, which is a nice weight for a sturdy pocket; there’s nothing worse than flimsy lining fabric that can’t hold up to normal wear-and-tear. The construction of the pockets is great, too – the lining extends and anchors to the center front seam which keep the pockets nice and flat instead of bunching up.
Did you also see that above I mentioned I drafted this top pattern? Yessiree I did! I whipped it up on a Friday night in about two hours from drafting to finishing. It’s a simple two-seam dolman sleeve top that’s cut out in one piece. If I was to make another, which I probably will because this is so comfy to wear, I’d draft a deeper dolman curve than this one so there isn’t so much bunching of fabric in the underarm area.
Overall I loved this pattern and will definitely make it again, maybe going up a size since it’s a little snug around the hips and probably sewing on the hem band pattern piece to make the skirt slightly longer. Maybe out of some yummy wool….
You look fantastic! I would never guess that you made your outfit – and I love the pocket detail and fun print. It's funny how leggings make any skirt length okay. I'm more likely to wear a short skirt with thick tights or leggings than I am with bare legs. I'm sure it has something to do with my pasty skin!
Oh my goodness, you should see my pasty legs, especially in the summertime since I don't tan! Plus I always have bruises everywhere from my job/walking into things/general clumsiness
That skirt is such a cute color. I love corduroy. I'm super tempted to buy this pattern but I'm afraid it will be too "fitted" for me, though I guess I can try a larger size first.
The only tolerable thing about winter is that I can finally wear all my short dresses! It's knee-length only for me in the summers.
Thanks! It was one of those "saving it for a rainy day" fabrics I've had for years and years. The measurements for the size I made were exactly my hip and waist dimensions, but I still think I could have gone up a size and been ok.
Oh, this is so cute! I've been dying to make this– I bought the pattern right away but haven't had the time. 🙁 Love this on you! Shorter hemlines aren't scandalous with tights.
It's super quick, I stitched it up in an afternoon. Plus I ripped out my zipper a couple of times so I bet it'd be faster for you!
Love this outfit! It looks great on you, and it makes me want to sew up some mini-skirts. (Minis make me think of college!)