I had just over half a metre of this gorgeous brocade left over from a Betty dress that was just too pretty to put in the remnants box.
I briefly thought about making a Delphine from Tilly and the Buttons but I just didn’t love it the first time I made. You may have guessed this from previous blog reviews; separates do not feature highly in my wardrobe – I never wear trousers and rarely wear skirts. I just prefer dresses to separates, so my having never worn the Delphine has nothing to do with the pattern; as I’ve said before, all the projects in Tilly’s Demystifying Dressmaking taught me all the basics of dressmaking back at the start of the year and I think her style is absolutely gorgeous but I just don’t reach for separates.
Saying that, I took chance on the Ava pattern and grabbed the pdf from Sew Over It. In fairness, if I was less lazy I could have drafted something similar myself but having made Ava, I’m sure I’ll use it again (and I’ll try the longer length version in the future, too). While it is a similar pattern to the Delphine, it seemed to have slightly less of an A-line, which is what I wanted. I made the shorter version, and it sits neatly just above the knee.
You cannot go wrong with this pattern. It is really simple to make and would make a great first project for beginners. It has a front piece, 2 back pieces and a waistband. It also has pockets but I didn’t add them; sewing with a brocade, I didn’t want to add bulk. It has a back zip and a hook and eye flap. The method for inserting the zip was one I had never come across before – it was so simple! I’d use the method again; the instructions are wonderfully clear and concise and are even illustrated. Definitely one that beginners would find less of a chore!
This may well be a skirt that I will wear – it is one that I could wear to work with boots and a sweater or wear out to the pub with a pair of hells and a little black wrap over top. Definitely office-to-night-out style. As a bonus, this skirt can be styled for every season.
