You know when you put something on that immediately makes you feel pretty, stylish, confident, comfortable and happy all instantly? It doesn’t happen that often, but I think everyone has a couple favorite pieces of clothing that are as fantastically great looking as great feeling. The Kelly Skirt is one of mine. A few months ago I found out cute Megan Nielsen lived nearby, and then a week later she announced she was moving back to Australia! She was sweet enough to carve some time out of her packing schedule to meet up with me and spend a couple hours chatting at the park. Megan made our day when she came bearing gifts; patterns for me and cookies for my boys! Can you believe how sweet?! We had become acquainted a couple years earlier when she asked me to guest post over on DIY Maternity, and I had admired her clothing lines and pattern designs gifts ever since. Then we got to know each other a little better through the Button Up Refashion Swap, but getting to hang out with her in the flesh was awesome. I wish I had known sooner we were neighbors. Megan is one of the nicest people I’ve met!
One of the patterns Megan gifted me was the Kelly Skirt, then in the testing phase. I went around and around about which fabric to use for it. When I pulled this lightweight kelly green from a pile of donated fabric last week, my decision was made. I love the way this turned out! I think it will go seamlessly through the seasons. It’s bright and lightweight for spring and summer, but corduroy feels right in the fall and winter, too!
The Kelly Skirt pattern is simple, straightforward, and very detailed. It would be a wonderful introduction to pleats, pockets, and buttons for a beginner. And I learned a few new tricks, too! The only variations I made were to lengthen the hem of the skirt by 3″ and replace the buttons and buttonholes with set-in pearl snaps. I’m Western like that. (And super duper lazy when it comes to buttons. Like running miles on a treadmill, I max out at three.) The whole skirt came together, start to finish, in one evening, and I wore it the next day. I can’t wait to make a couple more with fun variations to add to my handmade wardrobe.
