Made by a Fabricista: Crimson Red Flowy Gathered Skirt

Hi Fabric Mart friends! I’m back with another Fabricista Sewing Make, and I’m excited to share my latest sewing make using this beautiful crinkle crepe challis fabric. This month I’ll be sharing my experience sewing the skirt and tee. 

Have you seen the latest selection of new patterns on the Fabric Mart Fabric’s website?  Among a few of the newly stocked indie patterns are Megan Nielsen patterns. I’m thrilled to see all these newly stocked patterns by several of my favorite indie pattern companies. I must admit,  I’ve never sewn a Megan Nielsen pattern prior to making this Brumby skirt pattern. So, sewing this pattern was a special treat for me.

Fabric Choice 

First I’d like to talk about my fabric choice. I selected two fabrics for this month’s makes, which include this beautiful fluid crinkle crepe challis, and a black rayon jersey knit. The crimson red and white fabric is a floral print that is 100% rayon with a beautiful fluid drape and soft hand. This fabric is approximately 55-59” in width, and have a slight crepe like texture on the face of the fabric. 

Mostly, I don’t like crepe fabrics because they usually feel like sandpaper against my skin. However, this fabric is softer than most crepe fabrics and is unlike any other crepe like fabric that I’ve sewn. This information was listed in the description of the fabric, and that’s how I knew it would have a softer texture.

In addition to the red and white floral fabric, I selected a black rayon jersey knit to make the Cashmerette Concord Tee. Although this is a plain and simple fabric, I love the drape and feel of this fabric. Rayon knits are easy to work with and fun to wear. Initially, I selected this fabric to pair with this Brumby skirt because I thought the two would look good as an outfit. I’m sad to say that I was wrong. The rayon knit is a bit more casual than I thought and the silhouette of the top is a little to drapey (under the arms) for the look I was going for. Instead, I decided to match the skirt with a ready to wear tee, and I styled the concord tee with a pair of blue jeans. Although I was unsuccessful at styling the two makes as an outfit, I like how the two garments look overall. 

Pattern Selection 

By now you already know that I chose the Brumby skirt by Megan Nielsen and the Cashmerette Concord Tee for this project. But let me give you a few details about these two patterns. Let’s start with the Brumby skirt.

This pattern is designed for advanced beginners and features three variations that include short, knee, and long length skirt options. There are oversized pockets for views A & B and an exposed zipper is placed at the center back for the closure. The fabric suggestions varies and is dependent upon your fabric choice. View A is designed for structured skirts that are made with denim and corduroy, whereas views B & C are designed for more fluid fabrics such as rayon challis and silky type fabrics. 

I made View C, the knee length view without pockets. I also omitted the exposed zipper and used an invisible zip instead. I chose this variation because I was working with a fluid fabric that shifted a lot. Initially, I wanted to add pockets to the dress, but the fabric shifted so much that I didn’t want to chance cutting additional pieces. 

Alterations and Adjustments 

Thankfully, I didn’t have to make any size or length adjustments to the Brumby skirt pattern. However, I had to add interfacing to the lining of the waistband because the fabric shifted. Although the skirt has interfacing on the waistband and the lining, it is not bulky. In fact, the waistband is more stable and fits nicely. 

The skirt hangs lovely and the hem stops right at my knee. As I mentioned before the fabric shifted quite a bit. So I tried to minimize the risk of moving the fabric. The Brumby skirt range in size 0-20. I selected a size 16 which is approx. 33” for the waist. Although the skirt fits comfortably at my waist, I would most like choose a size 14 for future projects. 

I made a few adjustments to the Cashmerette Concord Tee starting with grading in between sizes. For this pattern, I chose a size 16 for the bust and graded down to a size 14 for the waist and hips. In hindsight, I think I need to select a size 14 for the bust and a 12 for the waist and hips. The top is a little too loose and the armhole needs to be shorten, as you can see in the pictures from the drag lines near the side breast. I would also shorten the top at the waistline by an inch and a half the next time I make this pattern. 

I found both patterns to be easy with great instructions for beginners and advanced beginners and would highly recommend them. 

Unfortunately, the crimson red floral fabric is no longer available on the Fabric Mart Website. However, I do have a few tips for working with similar fabrics that I can share with you. 

When working with crinkle crepe fabrics you want to avoid shape shifting, pulling, and slippage. Here are a few tips that will help you minimize shifting and slippage while working with crinkle crepes.  

•  First, always wash your fabric before use. These types of fabrics shrink a lot.
•  Secondly, iron your fabric to reduce and eliminate wrinkles. Crinkle crepes are notorious for shrinking and wrinkling. Ironing your fabric before you cut it will increase your chances of making accurate cuts. 
• Third, use spray starch. This will help stiffen the fabric and reduce the likelihood of the fabric shifting and moving while you cut and sew it. 
• Fourth, on a hard surface (table) use a rotary cutter instead of scissors. Again, this will prevent shifting and movement of the fabric.
• Fifth, be sure to use pins to hold the fabric in place while cutting and sewing. This will has minimize shifting. 
• Lastly, use new needles! This will prevent the fabric from being snagged  or pulled.

Okay friends! That completes my third blog post as a Fabricista! I hope you enjoyed the read. Please leave a comment and tell me what you think of this month’s Fabric Mart Makes. Thanks for stopping by and reading the blog. Until next time, happy sewing everyone. 

TEAMEAKA | @crumpetsteaandsewing

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Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories: CHALLIS & JERSEY KNITS.
You can also shop our entire collection of Megan Nielsen patterns HERE.
You can also shop our entire collection of Cashmerette patterns HERE.