Pattern: Jenny from Burdastyle
Size made: 36
Fabric: 1.5 yds of cotton print jacquard from Joann’s, beige bemberg rayon to line.
Notes: This is the first time I’ve used a Burdastyle pattern, and it was a bit of a mixed bag – great skirt, lousy instructions! Let’s start with the good: this pattern fit very well in a 36, which is the size I am instructed to make by the size chart (I’m a 36 below and a 34 on top.) On the final skirt I did take smaller size seams on the hips, as this fabric doesn’t stretch even a little, and I was worried it might be snug. I think that was probably a good choice. The waistband fits fine, though my waist is not quite as small as the size 36 calls for. I did cut the waistband on the bias, as the pattern asked.
Let’s talk about the fabric first: it was really great to work with! I was worried it would fray, but that action was really minimal. I was careful with my print placement – I knew I wanted the largest pink part of the print to be off center in the front. I didn’t try to match any seams, which I think is totally fine in this print. I was attempting to make my own version of the J.Crew Impressionist skirt, and luckily I like mine even better – take that, J.Crew and your hundred dollar skirts!
The directions were not great. So I made them up, which was probably good experience for me anyway!
I made a few changes from the way the skirt was intended. I interfaced the waistband facing rather than the waistband, and I hung the lining off that facing instead of attaching it to the skirt. I did not topstitch the waistband together as the pattern instructed – to do so caused the bias band to stretch, but not the interfaced facing. I hemmed the lining with the serger because I’m lazy, but I did the skirt hem by hand. I slip stitched the lining to the zipper tape and to the slit, which gave me quite the aching pain in my hands – apparently my hand sewing technique is not so ergonomic! I need to go back and tack the lining to the skirt, as occasionally it shifts down so that you can see it just a tad. My skirt is about an inch longer than the pattern – I just took a more shallow hem. I like it mid-knee, because it doesn’t feel short, but the proportions look better than just below the knee on me.
Oh, and I’ve decided that I love invisible zippers – they go on like a dream with no basting or pinning! I think I may use them in the future whenever I can.
I do love this skirt, and I’m interested in making the other 2 versions it came with (a suspender skirt and a dress.) I might also make a black version, as I have several extra pieces of black fabric lying around, and who couldn’t use a black skirt? It’s more comfortable than I expected – I wouldn’t try to run or anything, but the slit is sufficient for walking. It was very quick – I cut the fabric on Wednesday and sewed it up on Thursday. Highly recommended, but be sure you won’t need hand holding from the instructions!
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
I really love your version, the fabric is gorgeous and it looks like a perfect fit for you!
that is gorgeous! I love the fabric that you chose. It looks great.
Great fit! The fabric is a lot of fun. I just have to ask; what kind of sewing machine foot do you have for invisible zippers? I have had so much trouble with mine lately, and I think it is due to Opti vs. YKK in my Bernina…
This is a seriously cute skirt. I love that print!
I love everything about your new skirt – gorgeous!
That is a gorgeous skirt. I have been wanting a big floral print skirt but have not found the right fabric yet. Yours is just beautiful on you.
Yay! What a wonderful variation. The printed fabric makes such a different skirt, doesn’t it? Love seeing all the different versions.
Your skirt is stunning.
Love it! Love the fabric and the fit. You did an excellent job, especially having to come up with your own instructions. I always put the interfacing on the facings too. Sometimes it causes the fabric to pucker or look a little off, not what I want on the outside of a garment. Hurray for invisible zippers! Aren’t they the greatest invention?
I love your sense of color!! This one is yet another perfect choice. Love the off center fuchsia flowers. GORGEOUS!
It looks WAY better than the J. Crew version and you look lovely!
Love the skirt, and it looks great on you! Another version may have an inverted kick-pleat, and that may work for winter or more conservative uses like in banking or church or whatever where you want more coverage. I’m inspired to rifle through my fabric to make something similar.
My Joann has the dullest fabrics… or maybe I wasn’t looking hard enough. It’s a gorgeous skirt, everything from the fabric, fit, silhouette, and your styling too. Nice work!
That’s so pretty, I love the print!
That’s gorgeous! I’d rather have a skirt like yours than the one in the J. Crew catalog any day.
It looks so gorgeous, perfect fit, and I love how you’ve placed the print!
Glad you have tried and like invisible zips! If you want to machine the facing/lining on the inside (and save your hands!), I have a tutorial on my blog that shows how.
Really beautiful skirt! What a cute print!
I love your skirt and I want one too. The floral fabric is so pretty and different (I don’t like all the safari and global prints so popular right now). You may get me to learn to sew yet!!
The skirt looks wonderful! The print you chose looks wonderful on you and works well with the pattern you chose.
Gorgeous! Where did you get the pattern? I bought some great red wool on clearance at JoAnns several months ago and have been looking for the right skirt to make with it.
May I just say that I heart your hair!
And the skirt is beautiful too, but then I´m bias on pencil´ish skirts of this world.
Really great looking skirt. I checked the jcrew website & i agree: the fabric, the fit, the colors: much better!
This lovely floral version is perfect for Spring! A black version would be very wearable. Very nice work!
Love it! The floral print is gorgeous and the skirt looks great on you. Smart thinking for putting the large bloom off-centre, as I’ve done some bad floral placement in my past..
I love that print! And great choice on skirt length. How did you find printing the Burda patterns? I can’t locate any A4 paper here to save my life, and am worried they will print out all skewed? Any advice you have on that would be great!
Amazing skirt! That’s a great marriage between pattern and fabric. Also, I like how it goes with the shirt–not too matchy-matchy. 🙂 Your blog is an inspiration to me, fashion-wise!
I gotta say I was dubious when you posted the idea for this, but the execution (and your styling) make it amazing. It’s looks absolutely wonderful. You have a great eye for unexpected combinations.
Gorgeous! Looks especially fantastic with your colouring.
That skirt is fabulous!
oh my, i LOVE it. definatly going to try this one out. i can’t believe that fabric came from JoAnnes. its perfect.
Begun, the great internet edactuion has.