Teach Me Fashion Draped Skirt

Teach Me Fashion are a relatively new pattern company. They first released the free Two Tone Top pattern which I reviewed here. Very unexpectedly Heather and Harrison from TMF got in touch to thank me for reviewing the top and let me know that they'd since made some improvements to the pattern/instructions. They also offered to send me another pattern free of charge. Of course, I said yes, please, and thank you! I chose the Draped Skirt which I really liked the look of when it was first released.

This skirt is a no dart figure hugging shape with a draped front and elastic waist. I feel like this is a style skirt that every woman should have in her wardrobe, and I couldn't wait to have one in mine! The pattern model wears a version of the skirt in a knit fabric, and in the accompanying instructional you tube clip the fabric used is also a knit. I should have used a knit! However the pattern instructions recommended either a knit or woven fabric and I was really keen to have a fitted stretchy cotton sateen pencil skirt. I bought 1m of this beautiful navy print stretch sateen from spotlight. It's a nice heavy weight which I thought would hide lumps and bumps. I cut and made up the medium which fit my measurements perfectly.

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This was the quickest and easiest skirt I've ever made. I didn't make any attempt at pattern matching. Less than 2 hours from fabric cutting to completion. At this point I was very exited and wanted to make many of these skirts. I LOVE how it turned out.

Just one small problem, I couldn't get it past my knees... Fortunately I have some rather petite friends. I gifted this skirt to a friend who, among other awesomeness, just happens to wear pencil skirts fantastically. She is approx two sizes smaller than me in RTW and the skirt fits her like a dream.

After my experience I sent an email off to TMF detailing my troubles. They replied saying that they are continuing to develop and improve the instructions and thanked me for the feedback. While I'm shattered the skirt doesn't fit, I'm glad it fits a friend and also that Heather and Harrison were so receptive of my feedback. I will definitely try this skirt again. Next time I'll use a heavy knit and try the size large. Another option might be to go a size larger and insert a side zip if using a woven fabric.