This skirt has been a long time coming! I identified a need for a classic black and navy skirt following Me Made May. I only got around to making it last month while I had time off between jobs. This was my interview skirt for my new job so I must have looked the part!

Originally I was planning to make the Named Pulmu skirt but I saw several versions of The Orageuse Berlin skirt online and felt inspired!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This skirt is described as a straight skirt slightly curved,  The pattern comes in two styles, one is designed to sit above the knee (pictured above), the other is mid-calf length and has a slit up the front. Both versions are meant to be worn high waisted.

The skirt has a detachable tie-belt which is worn under belt loops. The skirt shape is emphasised by a set of pleats in front revealing ample pockets. It closes at the back with an invisible zip and is fully lined.

It’s nice to make a pattern that is a bit different from the stock standard A-line skirt. I love the drama of the split up the front of the skirt. It makes me feel very polished, fashionable and sexy.  It looks great with a t-shirt and sneakers or dressed up for work.

The outer fabric is a lovely heavyweight cotton with a sateen finish which I purchased from The Fabric Store. This pattern suits a fabric with body. I used a cute cherry blossom polyester for the lining.

I followed the instructions but decided to hand sew the lining around the front split. I was worried about potential stress on the front split so added a bar tack to the underneath layer of the outer fabric so it wouldn’t be visible. I didn’t make any other changes to the pattern.

My skirt is a size 42 which is on the larger side for me. In their instructions, Orageuse recommends sizing up rather than down as the lining constructs the style. I’m glad I went with a slightly larger size as the lovely Bee mentions in her blog post that the style of the skirt hinders her from going to the bathroom easily. She has to untie the belt, undo the zip and pull it down which is a detail that I would stop me from wearing it regularly.

I am on the hunt for a fabulous print to make another version of this skirt.

Here are the other versions of this skirt which inspired this make.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYVTvpHDwTf/?taken-by=tunjay

Bee made

 

 

Update a year on. This skirt quite revealing when I sit down. It has been stashed away in my closet unworn for at least 8 months. I want to love it, but it doesn’t love me. I may shorten it which might make it wearable.