This summer, I discovered a silhouette that just works perfectly for me – a midi skirt with a tucked-in, short-sleeve top. I know, I know, this doesn’t seem so very complicated – but the midi skirt has become an absolute wardrobe workhouse for me now! (So much so that I am inspired to make one or two or three in fall fabrics!)
The first midi skirt that I tried was the Estuary Skirt by Sew Liberated. (Pictured here with my Remy raglan by Sew House Seven, need another blog post about all my Remys soon!) I made this up with a beautiful hemp-cotton striped fabric that I got at Z Fabrics in Portland. Sure enough, this breezy and swishy skirt was exactly what I needed in my life.
Here’s what I loved about the Estuary:
- The placket is just gorgeous
- The pockets are so deep and practical
- The gentle a-line shape would work well even in a denser fabric
Here’s what was so-so about the Estuary:
- I did not really like the pattern instructions – so much “basting” with double-sided tape – next time I will hand baste instead
- Even though I followed the instructions for the waistband, I find that the top two buttons just gape open a bit. I may just create a “faux placket” next time because I see the buttons as decorative anyway.
The next skirt that I made was the Cleo skirt by Made by Rae. I had tried this pattern once before, but I just used the wrong fabric. I tried it again because I was teaching a class – lo and behold, a midi skirt in a fabric with plenty of drape was completely perfect! I made this out of a lovely Ikat that I got from Stonemountain and Daughter a few years ago, and I included French seams for a beautiful finish.
Here’s what I loved about the Cleo:
- The waistband is really simple to put together
- Two different lengths and pocket options in one pattern makes a great value
- As always, the instructions were spot-on and totally beginner-friendly
Here’s what was so-so about the Cleo:
- The pattern pieces are large rectangles, so there is some bull at the waistline – fabric choice is really important here
I can’t wait to make more of these patterns and continue finding ways to build this midi skirt silhouette into my fall wardrobe!
