TFS HQ team member Chloe made this playful skirt using the Steely Dress pattern from Daughter Judy! Read on for photos and project details.

"I've tried Daughter Judy patterns and really appreciate their detailed and thoughtful instructions and interesting designs."

Project Details

Chloe isn't a frequent skirt/dress wearer and has been hunting for patterns that could offer a casual and workwear-ish feel in the right fabric. She was drawn to the the Steely Dress pattern by Daughter Judy for its panelling and topstitching design lines combined with the A-line shape. After toiling the dress and trying it on, she wasn't keen on the design and fit of the bodice and decided to hack the pattern and create a skirt instead. This required skipping a couple of instructions, but no major pattern alteration as the dress has an inbuilt skirt.

Our Fine Cotton Twill - Mango was perfect for this intermediate level pattern, with the full dress yield at 3.8m. Chloe completed the project slowly over a couple of weekends - cutting the panels for the skirt, matching grainlines and arranging all the pieces to fit took some time. As the instructions suggest, she would definitely recommend toiling the bodice before committing to the intended fabric, in case, like her, the intended fit/design doesn't feel right for you. She mentioned the style requires lots of topstitching, and Ioved using the walking foot on her machine to help keep the lines straight.  

"I love a midweight cotton shirting, the fine twill has a lovely lustre and the colour is so happy and bright. Maybe there's a chambray/lightweight denim version with contrast topstitching in my sewing future!" 

You can download the Steely Dress pattern online here. Shop our range of woven cottons online here, including playful poplin colours and denims!

" I'm looking forward to dressing this up with a silk cami or fitted top, or dressed down with a graphic tee (I have a yellow one I'd love try for a monochrome look!) or an organza oversized boxy tee!"