Disclaimer: I received a copy of the Jade Skirt for free when I signed up to review.
Counter disclaimer: I already owned (and paid for) the Jade Skirt pattern from ages ago, so that probably cancels out the disclaimer…
I have always loved the look of this pattern – ever since the first mustard version that everyone went nuts over in 2011. I liked it so much that I bought the pattern when it came out, even though the first version was size 1-6 (max hip 41.5″) so I would have needed to significantly draft up, which of course I never got around to…
This skirt was the first pattern from Paprika Patterns, and was updated to sizes 1 – 10 (50.5″ hip) a while back but has just been re-released up to a size 13 – a 57.5″ hip and 48.5″ waist. That deserves CELEBRATION!
Review Summary:
- Pre-making instructions (fabric requirements and advice) – great. Good advice on different fabrics (stretch, recovery. thickness), which pages to print, stitches to use etc.
- Pattern pieces – great. Clear notches, obvious which piece was which etc. Good layout that didn’t waste too much paper.
- Actual instructions (how to sew) – good, upgraded to great because of videos. I am spatially challenged but these were clear. At one point I was confusing myself and watched the video which helped immediately. I learned that you do need to actually read the instructions 🙂
- Drafting (did it fit as expected) – great. I erred on the side of caution re sizing expecting to take it in a bit, and that was exactly what happened. There is a good point in the construction where you can try it on and adjust as required, which is helpful.
- Size range – fucking fantastic. It’s great to see designers go beyond the European 10. Lisa was already a relatively inclusive range for most of her patterns, so this is another great move.
- Overall (you might have guessed already!) – great. It has “oh that’s cool” factor, but is very very comfortable and pretty straightforward to sew (as long as you actually follow the instructions!). I will definitely make more of these for work.
I am using a scale of poor / solid / good / great above, so this one gets top marks! (note: fucking fantastic is really bonus points territory).
The only thing I might change would be that it looks a bit fiddly to lengthen/shorten. I didn’t end up doing so and was happy to get the length I wanted, but the short version would be way too short on me. I didn’t dock marks for this in the review as I can’t see an easier way to lengthen than as described.
Here’s my version:
I used a very spongy weird cream speckled knit from Spotlight. It’s one of the strangest fabrics ever. It actually couldn’t be further from fabric, I feel like it’s more like the same texture as foam. It’s just odd. Super comfy though.
I worried that the pattern wouldn’t support such a thick fabric, but there were some good tips about how to make that work in the instructions. In particular, lining with something thinner but of equal stretchiness was a helpful tip.
All over I though the instructions were great. The folding is complicated, but the pattern has markings which make sense and the line drawings complement them well. I made my life harder by unthinkingly cutting out the front face down – which of course means left is right and vice versa in the instructions. I was still fine.
The other super helpful part of the construction was the videos. I was attaching back and front very late at night and ended up just checking on the video rather than overthinking it – I was happy I did!
Above is the full thing. I suspect I could tuck into this skirt and still feel quite comfortable, which is unusual for me. I think I could wear this to work, but could also make a version in something like ponte which would hold a crisper crease and look quite smart.
Finally, here’s me being silly. Just because.
All the deets:
Pattern:Â Paprika Patterns Jade Skirt
Size:Â 10/11, mostly reduced to a 9.
Adjustments:
- I graded between 11 and 10, then reduced most of it to a 9.
Fabric used:Â Weird spongy stretch abomination in cream with multi-coloured speckles on it from Spotlight.
Like it? Wearing it? Yes and Yes!
Notes for next time:
- Quick to make
- Definitely making again – possibly in a ponte for sharper creases