So? Are you ready to get started with the Hollyburn Sew-along?! I have been hanging out for this all of my Christmas/New Year break!! I thought we'd get started with some inspiration posts. One thing I love about this pattern is that it is a lovely basic pattern, which as well as being a great wardrobe builder gives us heaps of space for customisation and creativity. Depending on which options you choose and how you style it, it could look modern or vintage, or somewhere lovely in between.
Today I thought I would talk about, and show some examples of, some different fabric choice options and in my next post tomorrow I will talk about design features.
(For all the below images, please click on the pic to take you to pinterest for the source)
If you want your skirt to be a true wardrobe builder, chances are you'll be after something that will easily fit into your current wardrobe. Often a solid colour will be the easiest way to achieve that. Black (above) or grey (below) are the colours I'd choose to have it seamlessly slot into my wardrobe, but which colour you could use really depends on the colours you already have in your wardrobe. What about navy? Or beige?
But then you might not want it to blend seamlessly into the background in your wardrobe - you might want something that stands out! What about a fantastic red skirt?
Or just about any other bright colour would look great. What about blue, purple, pink, or the 2013 Pantone colour of the year, Emerald Green?
But picking a coloured skirt doesn't mean going for the most saturated colours possible, muted or pastel tones would be lovely too.
But moving on before I show you pictures of skirts in every possible colour...
How about stripes and/or plaid? I love stripes and plaids, in my opinion they're a great middle ground between solid colours and prints.
I feel the need to make a bit of a disclaimer here, the pattern envelope does say "Not recommended for plaids, stripes or one-way designs", but I'm a bit of a rebel with these things! I've checked with Tasia and the main reason she has said this is because it's classed as a beginner pattern and using plaid or stripes makes things harder. This is because it makes a massive difference whether you match the stripes, and doing so can be tricky; if the stripes meeting at that centre front (and centre back) seam don't match it'll be fairly obvious, so stripes/plaids aren't something I'd necessarily recommend for beginners.
Another small step away from solid colours is subtle prints. The kind that looks solid from a distance but adds some more interest. In my opinion a small polka-dot is always a good choice, but then I'm a sucker for spots.
And now you know that I'm a sucker for spots, how about a larger scale spot than the tiny polka-dots above?
Or what about other large(r) scale prints?
A little trickier as the hem of the skirt is curved, but another option could be a border print. I'd recommend going with a wide border print that doesn't have a defined 'edge' to the border, so a straight border doesn't look strange with a curved skirt. But if you happened upon the right fabric it could look fabulous!
Moving away from the colour or print of the fabric, and into different types of fabric...
What about using lace? You'd have to add a lining/underlining, but I shall be talking about adding linings during the sew-along so don't let that scare you off!
And you know what I just haven't been able to get out of my head; how the skirt would look in a really lightweight floaty fabric, for example chiffon. This isn't one of the recommended fabrics, but you could make the necessary changes (like adding a lining), and just imagine how beautiful it would be when you moved?!
And at the opposite end of the spectrum, what about a hard-wearing, versatile denim version...
Or for the more adventurous among you, imagine a (p)leather Hollyburn!
I think I'll stop shoving pictures of skirts in your face now! What do you think? Has anything inspired you?
I'll be back tomorrow with my second inspiration post!
Missed any of the sew-along posts, or just want to re-read them? You can find the full list here.
just received my pattern today! So excited, my first will be a beautiful turquoise blue... which is either a cross between a wardrobe builder and a stand out feature
ReplyDeleteDon't we just love Tasia :-)
Oooh, it sounds beautiful!
DeleteHow much do I love the idea of a pleather Hollyburn skirt? Don't tell my husband that I'm contemplating buying fabric just for that purpose. It doesn't count as adding to the stash if I sew it up right away, right?
ReplyDeleteI think if it exists as un-cut fabric for less than 72 hours it doesn't count as adding to the stash!
DeleteOhh, so many options! I really want to make a sassy lipstick red version... Or maybe a glorious yellow... But that green... So many options! (and thank you for sharing my chevron skirt- rather chuffed!)
ReplyDeleteYour stripes are fantabulous, how could I not include it if talking about stripey skirts??!
Deleteoh dammit rachel... now I want to sewalong too! There's nothing like a few (or more) inspiration shots to whet the appetite!
ReplyDeleteHaha, well it's not too late to decide to join in!
DeleteSo many options... love it! Thanks for the inspiration... can't wait for my pattern to arrive :)
ReplyDeleteNo worries! It was quite fun putting together all the inspiration pictures.
Deleteoh the possibilities! I have a very bright, colorful fabric for my first one - I'm just waiting for the lining. I think I want some in solid colors too. I love those chiffon versions!
ReplyDeleteoooh, exciting! Since looking for the inspiration pictures I've been spotting people everywhere wearing similar style skirts. There's a place for lots in your wardrobe!
DeleteI was at a music festival over the new year and I swear everyone was wearing view c - I think my boyfriend got sick of me pointing them out :P
DeleteI know! The pictures above are either skirts people have sewn, or of skirts that are available to buy at the moment, there's heaps around at the moment!
DeleteThese inspiration photos are fabulous! Now I really want to make one. I'm six months pregnant, though, so a Hollyburn will have to wait a bit. But now I have two ideas to add to my queue--a tweedy Hollyburn like one of the first pictures you showed, and a lace one. I love the lace for a summer skirt. I'll follow along with the SAL so I can come back to it once I've rediscovered my waist!
ReplyDeletehehe, I'm glad to have whetted your Hollyburn appetite!
DeleteSuch a dill - I thought I was following you but I wasn't, but I have fixed that now!!
ReplyDeleteOrdering my pattern as I email this! I really like that denim and spot version, super cute. I haven't decided what I will do yet, I have some denim but it won't be drapey enough for the fullness of the Hollyburn. Unless I change the pattern, but I really shouldn't do that on the first rendition of it. Anyway, I am babbling, will decide soon.
The less full versions might be ok if it's a medium weight denim; the pattern recommends light or medium weight woven fabrics. Anyway, you don't need to decide right away, I still have a few more inspiration / choices posts planned.
DeleteOhh so much inspiration (thanks for the link too!) - I love the red and white stripe version, that is awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt is great isn't it, particularly with the perfectly matched stripes. The girl has skillz, as do you hence the link :)
DeleteI have a lovely wool houndstooth I have been DYING to use and I am waiting for just the right project as Im a beginner and don't want a wadder with my lovely wool.
ReplyDeleteIt's about a 1/2" checked houndstooth, do you think matching would be a big deal or look ok!??! I haven't gotten the pattern yet in the mail or I'd lay out the pieces and see for myself. Of course I am too impatient to wait hahah!