Made By A Fabricista: A Reversible Skirt for Double the Wear

For this month’s post, I tried yet another new pattern stocked on the Fabric Mart website – the Agave Skirt by Deer and Doe!

I tend to gravitate towards smaller or indie pattern designers since I find that I have to make less adjustments for my body than I do with the big, mass produced brands. I typically have to do the same things to most patterns – lengthen the arms or legs (where applicable) and typically grade at the shoulders just a touch since I am all limbs & height! The asymmetrical hem on this skirt caught my eye right away and I liked the idea of a reversible skirt to get more wear out of one piece!

The best part about this skirt pattern? It doesn’t cover any of the parts where I typically need to modify, so I was able to cut and sew a straight size and it came together so quickly! The second-best thing about this pattern is that it is printed on paper similar to computer paper (a little thicker), on one large continuous sheet – not the tissue paper that the big companies use that is noisy, fragile and often times printed spotty. Without needing to assemble a PDF pattern or fight with tissue paper, this pattern was cut out and ready to go in 15 minutes.

This pattern offers two variations, a reversible skirt or one sided with a facing. I chose the reversible option, so I can get more wear out of one piece without needing to make multiple pieces. The skirt overlay doesn’t “bounce” or “flop” open when walking so there’s no peep show of the other side underneath, so it really does feel like two completely separate skirts. The asymmetrical hem gives it some visual interest and changes it up from the typical silhouette you get from a mini skirt.

I chose a cotton/lycra stretch sateen with this fun olive-green bordered paisley print for the first side and an eggshell cotton/lycra brushed twill for the reverse side. I decided to not pattern match with the printed side, because I would have had to cut against the grain of the main piece, and I wanted to make sure each piece had the same stretch properties. Plus, I don’t really mind the “mismatched” pattern! I think it’s busy enough that it doesn’t look out of place unless you are really looking for a flaw!

The skirt is closed by two buttons across the front. This material was just the right thickness to hold up to buttonholes but wasn’t impossible for my machine to sew through making it challenging. Don’t forget when you are hand sewing your buttons on to not sew them down too tight! You still need to be able to slip the button through the buttonhole and if it’s too tightly sewn to the garment (since there are buttons on both sides), there is no way to get it secured! I didn’t realize I had done this until I went to put the final skirt on, and I couldn’t get it buttoned!

I also chose to edge stitch the entire skirt hem and waistband to keep everything neat and tidy and make ironing easier. I think it gives a crisp look to the skirt and makes it lay cleanly when wearing. The buttons I used on my skirt also were from my stash and they are the perfect neutral for both sides. This fabric really wears well and the neutral mix of colors lends itself to lots of pairing options for tops.

My only complaint (if you can call it that!) with my new make is that the solid color side shows wrinkles and wear a lot easier than the patterned side, so I need to be mindful to iron & steam well before wearing, and then just accept that as the day goes on, it will wrinkle a bit! Other than that, I am really happy with how quickly this pattern came together and how the final garment came out. I can see myself wearing this with a tank top and sandals out for some sushi, or with a cardigan or light jacket and some flats into the office. 

Thanks so much for reading along on another Fabric Mart Fabricista make with me! 

CHELSEA | @thatssewchelsea

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Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories: SATEEN & TWILL.