I was privileged to have the opportunity to test Marilla Walker's newest pattern, the Evan skirt. I love how it turned out! I didn't muslin, this is my first crack at using the test version of the pattern and this skirt is perfect. That's some fine drafting for you! Well, I did take 5/8" out of each side seam, but that's it!
The bored look on my face does not indicate my feelings about this skirt. On the contrary! I love it and plan to make more! I did the shorter version without the pocket details, but including the front slit. I love the front slit. It really ads something, without being at all revealing. I wore this skirt to work and was very comfortable.
To play up the classic jeans detailing, I did a double line of topstitching around the fly, pockets and back yoke. I wanted to have a more defined topstitch, but my machine was not cooperating with any of my topstitching tricks (double thread, triple stitch) and I had the perfect color of thread in a standard weight. So I just went with it.
I left off the back pockets and the belt loops. I never wear a belt if I don't have to, and I felt like this fabric was busy enough without pockets in the mix.
So fabric. I handdyed this fabric using fiber reactive dyes just for the occasion! I have no idea where I got this fabric, I have a partial bolt of it and the label reads "white weavers cloth" 55 poly 45 cotton. I had planned to use this fabric not realizing the poly content, once I realized I wondered if it would dye at all. So I was super pleased with how it turned out. The cotton fibers dyed beautifully and the poly fibers stayed white giving it a faded/aged look or like it was woven with a white weft. You can see this a little in the picture below on the darker spots.
I had no problem with the instructions for the skirt and they've been improved since. Fly front was a piece of cake. I've only ever used the Kenneth King Jean-ius method before and to be honest, I can't remember it, I just watch the video again every time I need to use it. My mama brain does not retain that kind of non-essential information any more :) So not sure how this differs, but I can say it's easy to use and produces a lovely result.
I used a cotton fabric that I block printed about a million years ago to face the waistband (didn't fancy the poly rubbing on my skin). I just happened to have the perfect length vintage metal aqua zipper in my stash and the button was stash too. Do you know what that means? This skirt was free! I already owned everything to make it and I got the pattern in exchange for my testing notes. So I feel like a thrifty goddess and ready to buy a bunch of Liberty or silk charmeuse.
This style of skirt is a wardrobe staple. I may take a little of the flare out on future versions for more of a straight fit. I might even make it in denim. It's a good one, Marilla, thanks for letting me join in!