Made by a Fabricista: The Bernadette

Hello friends,

My Latest Fabricista Make: Friday pattern Co Bernadette Skirt x Midnight Navy Cotton/Lycra Sateen Stretch Denim

Hi everyone, this is Byrd with my latest Fabricista make! When I saw Fabric Mart’s Muted Midnight Navy Cotton/Lycra Sateen Stretch Denim, I knew it would be perfect for my next project. The color is rich and versatile—a deep navy that works as a neutral but still has presence. The stretch denim has just the right balance: structure with a bit of give, making it great for a garment that needs both shape and comfort. It’s an ideal fabric for fall transitions, but it’s sturdy enough to carry straight into winter with tights and boots.

For the pattern, I chose the Bernadette Skirt by Friday Pattern Company. This is one of their newer designs, and I knew immediately I wanted to sew it up. It’s a modern skirt that blends structure and style, with darts in the back and pleats in the front for a flattering fit. One of my favorite features is the belt, and of course, the optional belt bag—it really sets this pattern apart and makes it both fun and functional. To give these pieces structure and keep them from stretching out, I applied interfacing to the belt and bag pattern pieces, which made a huge difference in the final look and feel.

In terms of sizing, my waist is 42” and my hips are 49”, so I cut a size 2X. The fit worked really well, and the stretch in the sateen denim made it even more comfortable to wear. I did however, increase the size of the back darts and shaved ¼ each off each side seam.

For the lining of the belt bag, I decided to use leftover fabric from a previous Fabric Mart make—a salamander print cotton poplin. I love that little detail on the inside, and it felt special to tie one project back to another.

All in all, this is a pattern-and-fabric combo I’d highly recommend. The Bernadette skirt is stylish, versatile, and practical, and Fabric Mart’s cotton sateen stretch denim was the perfect match to bring it to life.

Thanks so much for reading! If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow me on social media for more sewing inspiration and behind-the-scenes details on my latest makes. See you next time!

Thank you Fabric Mart for the beautiful fabric!

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Until next time,

BYRD | @yogabyrdsews

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