Gold Denim mini skirt
This is s skirt I’ve been working on and surprisingly enough has been probably my most successful draft of any pattern I’ve made. I had a basic straight skirt block and turned it into this, no fitting adjustments needed. Winning!
I drew a sketch of this design, like, five or six years ago, crazy! Early pattern drafting days. I had completely forgot about it until I was cleaning up and I found my little sketch. Later I discovered an old UFO bag with green corduroy pieces cut out and some zippers. Apparently at some point I tried making the skirt but I hardly remember it at all and obviously never finished it.
Flash forward a few years and I’m now slowly working on making a PDF pattern for this design. Unlike my past patterns I’m doing 9 sizes meaning I have to draft two blocks to grade up and down from. It’s taking me longer but in the end it’ll be nice because the pattern can be used by a wider range of sizes.
Basically it’s a mini skirt with a thick waistband and a bottom hem band (both with facings). It’s got a total of 7 “panels,” two of which have these slanted exposed zip pockets. It hits about 2″ lower than my natural waist.
This fabric is a denim I got from a new Austin store called The Cloth Pocket. The owner said she got it from a local custom jeans designer so that’s kinda cool.
The pocket interior and facings are left over Liberty of London. Yay for using scraps! (especially expensive scraps…)
The back zip is a regular zip and the front pocket zips are some metal jeans zippers. I top stitched all the seams in gold thread.
It’s definitely an above the knee mini skirt but I think it can be lengthened easily in either the panels or the hem band.
I’ve been wearing it pretty often which is always a good sign. I made it in a solid so it goes with all kinds of tops but yet the seaming and zips give it some interest so it’s not a plain ol’ denim skirt.
Well, whatdya think? And would anyone be willing to be a pattern tester for me? More details on that in a future post.
Hey, I don’t believe in love at first sight—but I do love this skirt!
I’d be thrilled to pattern-test it for you whenever you’re ready! I’m about a European size 36, which is about XS or S, depending on the pattern block.
Want, want, want!
LOVE IT. I’ll test! My hips are 36 🙂 there are so many UK/US/European sizes I give up. Measurements are easiest!
Oh, this is gorgeous! The zips and pockets are such a unique touch. I’d love to be a pattern tester!
i’ll throw my name in for pattern testing! this is a cute skirt! love the zipper detail.
Really like this!
This skirt is gorgeous. I’ve been trying to transition from wearing solely jeans to more skirts and dresses, and this is definitely in that vein. Can’t wait for this pattern!
Fantastic pattern – i’d love to test! it looks awesome made up in that goldy denim. I’m a waist 26″, hips 34″. I’m so pleased with my picnic in the park shorts that I can’t wait to see what you have in store here!
Oh my, I am buying this pattern as soon as you release it….unless you need more pattern testers! Pick me, pick me!
Cute! This looks great on you!
This is so cute! Really looking forward to more of your patterns 🙂
What a great staple item, and it’s so flattering! I absolutely love the contrast pockets!
I would LOVE to be a pattern tester for you! I really like the pockets and all the extra lines. Can’t wait to try this pattern out sometime!
Love this skirt! Super cute. I have some denim in my stash that would be perfect — a girl can never have too many denim skirts. And who wouldn’t want to test for you? I know I would!
What a fantastic skirt! This is exactly my style. It would be excellent to try the pockets without the zips as well. I would absolutely love to pattern test for you. I love pattern testing as you get such insight into the design process. Good luck finishing drafting your skirt pattern.
What a great skirt. I’m always looking for cute denim options as I don’t wear jeans anyway, I’m plus size and would love to test this if needed. g
I’m not typically a denim skirt kind of person, but I love the construction lines on this and am a major sucker for zippers on pockets. I think I’d try a corduroy version, it’d be incredibly cute for a fall/spring skirt with tights… I feel like you’re gonna have an abundance of pattern testers, but if you want a sewing novice’s crack at it to gauge how difficult it is I’d be happy to!
this is SUPER adorable! I love all the details. I wouldn’t think I’d like that color either, but it looks awesome! I want one !
This is so cute! I can see it in tons of different fabrics. I love colored denim, but I’m not really a blue denim skirt kinda gal. A floral or printed denim or a corduroy would be super cute 🙂
And, if you’re looking for pattern testers, I love testing 🙂
This is such an interesting design, I love the pockets and seaming – makes it far note fun than a normal skirt. I’d love to pattern test!
Just when you’re looking for a denim skirt pattern….. and one pops up!! I’d love to be a pattern tester but hey there are already plenty of volunteers 🙂
I love denim mini skirts, I’m always looking for ones with interesting details. Your skirt is lovely, I can see it made in interesting prints, or even colour-blocking! So many options! My last make is a Grainline Moss mini skirt, (unblogged yet), and I practically live in it 🙂 If you need an extra tester, I’m in! (European size 42)
This looks really cute on you. And gold is a more interesting variation on the traditional denim skirt!
It’s fabulous! And if yiu need a tester – I’m in.
I love this! The gold colour, the shape – it’s perfect!
That’s awesome! I love the heavy zippers used in a new way (i.e. not just down the back). I’d really love to make up a test pattern! Will you be offering this in a rtw 14/ dressmaker 20?
Cute! I love anything that is designed to be worn below the waist. I’d love to pattern test!
I’d be up for testing the pattern! It’s such a cute skirt! Looks like something I’d definitely buy in store, but it would be so much more satisfying to make from scratch.
Woah, this is gorgeous! I love the fact that it’s so simple at first glance, but has fantastic details when you take a closer look.
I love it!!! I didn’t quite know it, but I’ve been yearning for a skirt like this for a while now. I’ve been mulling over several different patterns, none of which are just right, but this is it! So, yes, obviously, I’m game for testing 🙂
Love the zippers and seaming details! I’m totally into sewing mini skirts right now–just finished two Grainline Moss Mini skirts. Would love to try out yours!
This is a terribly cute skirt! I’m happy to test it.
Groovy! I like all the seaming details. This looks like a really successful pattern in the making, Dixie. Cloth Pocket–do they have knits? When I go off my fabric diet I must check them out.
They have a small amount of knits. It’s mostly quilting cottons but they have a bunch of Echino if that’s your thing. This denim was the only one they had.
I really like this design of yours, Dixie! What I think really makes it unique is the extra wide hem at the bottom–not many skirts showcase this detail.
So cute!! Very clever design. It looks like you already have a big response for pattern testing, but I would be very happy to if you need one!
I’d love to test! I have a flat butt so unless a skirt has interesting seaming in the back, I always pass on it (flat butt+boring skirt=unflattering). I love the back of this AND the front 🙂
I’d love to be a pattern tester! I’ve only made maxi style skirts before so it’d be nice to have something shorter that I could make casual or work appropriate.
Oooh, I love this! This is one of the best minis I’ve seen.
I love this skirt! I am in the queue to buy the pattern when it comes out, although I’d also love to be a pattern tester – it would be just the motivation I need to restart my blog! Anna.
This is great. I’ve been wanting to make a simple skirt for the summer for a while now. All the ones I have right now are a bit too formal or I’ve worn them a million times and I want some variety. This looks like a great pattern and really in my alley style-wise. Would love to test it out 🙂
This is so cute. I would be so happy to test it if needed.
Totally totally totally love this! Simple silhouette with great details. Looking forward to making this!
Super cute! Was this the skirt you wore on Saturday during Shop Hop?
Very glad you’re moving forward on this one, it’s so cute!
This is a PERFECT skirt! I love it
This is really cute! I see so many possibilities for customization with the piecing of this skirt! It’s going to be a huge hit!
Such cute contrasting fabric in the pockets! 🙂
Those zippered pockets are badass!!
Would love to be a pattern tester! 🙂 I was just planning my spring summer outfits and that shape skirt it is on the list 🙂
Yay pockets. What a cute skirt, I love how you’ve divided the front and back into panels. I’d love to be a tester.
Nice! I love the seaming details and zippers. 😀
I love it! I’m leaning more towards appreciating some nice seaming in a solid, rather than reaching for a print. It looks like you have heaps of pattern testers already, but I would love to help out if you need one more!
Adorable!
I love the pocket lining! What a great way to use scraps!
Would LOVE to test that pattern for you 🙂
YES! always on the hunt for good skirt patterns. And that one looks great. Love the seaming and exposed zippers.
Hi .. If you still would want pattern testers I could be one. Feel free to check out my blog here – TheHobbyHarbor . – DIya