May 19, 2015

Where crushed velvet becomes an everyday skirt

Hello there.
Last weekend was pretty windy and wild here in Toulouse, so please excuse my weird poses in the pictures while I tried not to eat my hair.
Anyway, windy days were perfect to showcase my new Ilsley skirt, because its stays put no matter how strong the wind gusts.


I will say straight away that I am in love with this skirt. Since I finished it I have been wearing it a lot. Today I put it away because if I see it around on a chair or on the bed, I will wear it again and again. In case you were wondering, I do own other clothes, you know.


In my opinion it is a perfect compromise between comfort and nice details. Look at that hem! And the pocket shaping! 


Also, Marilla Walker has released this pattern for free, but this is one of the cases when free does not mean cheap: the instructions are clear (I just had a look but didn't follow them), the design is not mundane and it is well drafted and everything goes in place smoothly.


I used the crushed velvet coupon I bought at Edinburgh Fabrics for only 4£! I bought it especially for this skirt, to be honest. Anyway, when Chéri saw the fabric started protesting and saying that it could never look good on any garment because it would always look pajamas-y. 
So I decided to dress it up with some faux-leather piping. In my modest opinion, it totally worked and I am in love with the result! Also, he has seen these pictures and lost his words. Score!


I felt a bit delusional at the thought of applying piping to velvet, since I had never used one nor the other before, let alone together or bringing faux-leather into the equation. Anyway, I love myself a little challenge, and I am happy to report that all went well.
The pocket linings and the waistband are in lightweight black cotton residuals from another project, in order to reduce bulk and use up the scraps I can not let go of. 


There will be a next time for sure for this pattern, because thanks to Me Made May I have discovered that I need more everyday garments and especially dresses and skirts. Then we could argue how a velvet could be considered everyday... If you asked me before this skirt, velvet was for princesses sitting on a sofa combing their golden locks. After this skirt, velvet is for everyday garments!
When exposed to direct sunlight, the velvet becomes super shiny, and today I could not look at my skirt without sunglasses. Who cares? As you can clearly see from these pictures I don't. I have been wearing the skirt to go grocery shopping like a princess, and to the dentist. Also princesses have aching wisdom teeth, don't they?



3 comments:

  1. Wow, this looks amazing! I need a skirt in an exciting fabric for sure because this looks so much fun to wear. Thanks for giving my pattern a try and I'm so glad it worked out for you xxx

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    1. Thank you Marilla, it's an honour to receive such a compliment from you! Thanks for this great pattern and yay for exciting everyday fabrics! Kisses

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