Tilly and the Buttons Ness Skirt

This is the Tilly and the Buttons Ness Skirt

It is the first time I’ve made up this skirt. I was pretty confident that I could address any fitting issues along the way so I went straight in with my chosen fabric, this beautiful Paisley print cotton canvas fabric received from Minerva as my role as a Minerva Brand Ambassador.

The Ness skirt pattern is a mini or just-below-the-knee straight skirt with a shaped waistband and curved back yoke for a flattering fit. Details inspired by a traditional denim skirt include a zip fly front, topstitched mock felled seams, belt loops, all-important in-seam pockets, plus optional back pockets.

I made up a UK size 4 (30’’waist, 39’’ hip). I’m currently 30,38 respectively). I lengthened the mini version by 2 inches.

I choose to pattern match down the front centre seam and the rear centre seam and let the side seams do their thing. I took my time over the pattern matching and I’m really pleased with the outcome.

I love my pale pink top stitching.

Before inserting the zip I basted the completed front section to the back section, leaving a side seam open near the top, to get into. I could see that I needed to take in the sides over my hip by 5mm in each seam. Everything else seemed pretty perfect.

I tried it on again when I’d basted on the front waist band section and it was still good.

The Ness Skirt waistband pattern is very curved. I think this is why I have such a fabulous fit around my waist with absolutely no gapping but incredibly comfortable.

I shall be making a cardboard copy of the waist band and use it going forward for all waistbands.

The pattern suggests fabric with slight stretch would be good, but this has none and it is perfect for this skirt. I love the 70’s vibe of it. It pressed well and went through my machine like a dream, even when topstitching 4 layers of fabric.

I was a little confused by the instructions, which I was very surprised about, being a Tilly pattern.

The zip insertion took a lot of concentration and I’ve never been so foxed by a zip fly!

As a denim skirt type pattern , you can’t beat this one. There’ll definitely be a corduroy one, come autumn.

Love, Lucie xx