You ever see a sewing pattern and think, “Yeah, that’s too plain… next please!”? This was my thought when I first saw the Hollyburn skirt from Sewaholic Patterns. Cute enough, I thought, but too plain for me to take a second look at. I wanted adventure and excitement in my sewing patterns! I wanted something different.
Actually, it appears what I need is to fill some closet gaps. Simple flared skirts and knit tops are one of my favorite casual outfit combinations – you can mix and match them to each other, so they basically do double-duty. My current lifestyle doesn’t allow for much in the way of fitted/pencil skirts – I need to be able to move around and, like, sit on the floor – and I’m kind of over circle skirts at the moment. My skirt experimentation has rekindled my romance for Ginger and Miette, not to mention a fabulously swishy and dreamy Gabriola, but I was ready to try something new.
So I revisited Hollyburn.
And we totally fell in loooooooooove ~~~
Seriously, guys. There is nothing necessarily ground-breaking about this pattern (although, let’s be real, Tasia’s a drafting genius and I’m like creepy obsessed with her patterns right now), but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good pattern. The beauty is in the simplicity – it’s a simple flared skirt with a simple waistband, a back zip closure, and curved front pockets. Nothing fancy here, but it works and it’s awesome. And I already made two.
Hollyburn 1, aka, the Crazy Paisley, is made with this amazing paisley rayon I yanked at the Nashville Flea Market. Forreal, is this shit not insanely awesome?? I saw it out of the corner of my eye, in one of those booths along the walkway between buildings (you know those booths are the best because those people always have the weirdest mismash of shit and they’re always willing to sell it for dirt cheap. Especially if you’re nice to them :)), and I immediately ran over to assess. I don’t remember exactly how much I paid for it, but I do know it was $3 or less. Not sure of the age of this particular fabric, but it’s 42″ wide and definitely rayon. Oh, and it’s awesome. Did I mention that yet?
I really really really wanted this fabric to be a Gabriola – wouldn’t it make the most dreamy rayon maxi? Ahh so lush. But, dammit, I had under 3.5 yards of this fabric… and like I said, it was pretty narrow, which ended up being the reason things didn’t pan out (believe me, I tried!). So, I decided to stick with the Sewaholic family and try out this Hollyburn that had been burning a hole in my pattern stash. And not only am I super happy with the result – I think it’s quite a bit more wearable than the original maxi inspiration, yeah? I mean, I can totally wear this while riding a bicycle π
Hollyburn is a pattern intended for beginners – just a few pattern pieces, very easy to fit (really, you only have to worry about the waist measurement here), quick to sew up. Besides the agony of cutting that slippery rayon, the actual sewing of this skirt took me under 2 hours. That fast! I briefly considered trying to match the print at all the seamlines – in addition to the side seams, there are also center front and center back seams, plus the curved pockets – but it was giving me a headache and, you know, fuck it. Whatever.
For this particular pattern, I was smack between two sizes, so I cut the 0 at the hips/hemline, and graded to right between the 0 and 2 at the waist. I’m pretty happy with the fit – it’s fitted enough to stay put without the aid of the belt (but I like the belt, so belt stays), but it’s not so tight that I need to sneakily unzip anything after a big meal. I went for version 3 – the shortest one – with the added belt loops. I also lopped about 2″ off the length. Short skirts for lifeeeeee!
Here it is without the belt. Yay! No belt!
And this because, I dunno, my hair looks good here. Also, I probably should not wear that bra with that shirt again, eep (shirt is a Renfrew, btw!).
What I love most about this particular skirt (and, I guess, the pattern in general) is how different the shape looks based on what fabric you use. Go look at the pictures on the Sewaholic website – the skirt has a great amount of flare, and it’s pretty structured. Compared to mine, which was sewn in a super drapey rayon, it’s all fluid and flowy and just kind of hangs (but in a good way). Sometimes I get so caught up in wanting to try NEW NEW NEW OMG NEW STUFF that I forget you can easily manipulate the look of a garment just by using a different fabric.
Oh, right, and remember when I said I made two of these? I totally did – the second one is in a much stiffer fabric, and looks totally different. I didn’t get photos in time to cram them into this blog post (which is probably for the best, since I think there are enough pictures of me on here today anyway, lolz), but stay tuned for that! In the meantime, I’ll probably wear it for MMM soon π
Obligatory swish post. Lookit dat swish! β₯
Sorry these pictures are a little blown out π¦ I added some topstitching to the pockets and waistband (as well as the hem) and swapped out the centered zip for an invisible zipper. All the inside seams are serged.
One last thing! We have a winner from last week’s giveaway – who’s it gonna be, eh?
YAY! Congratulations, Melanie! I’ll be sending you an email asap π Hopefully this book will be just the ticket to get you comfortable manhandling the stretch lace π
Thanks to everyone who entered! A HUGE thanks to Colette Patterns for not only writing up this amazing resource, but offering a giveaway copy as well! π As always, you can get your very own copy of The Colette Guide to Sewing Knits from Amazon or directly from the Colette website.
Now, the next question is – should I or should I not use the remaining paisley yardage to make a matching Belcarra blouse? Before you ask – yes, I would totally wear it with the skirt. FAKE DRESS FTW! Don’t you dare judge me.
Yes, a Belcarra top would be beautiful in this fabric! Hollyburn was always too plain for me too, but, ugh, now I’m reconsidering. I already have SO many patterns, but strangely, not one just like this!
That was my thought too! Out of allllll my patterns, why do I not have one for a skirt like this? Oh well, rectified now π haha
Belcarra blouse from that fabric? DO EEEET!
I love how this skirt just flows and looks so comfortable. And the fabric! To die for.
Yes, make the Belcarra too!
Great fabric, love the skirt.
I LOVE the Hollyburn! It’s super simple and it’s one of my go-tos when it comes to frankenpattern dresses. Awesome skirt! And welcome to the Hollyburn fan club π
Proud, card-carryin’ member over here! Haha! π
And again, you have changed my mind about a pattern. When it was released I was kind of underwhelmed, but now seeing this version bing so drapey and swishy (not to mention the awesome fabric!) I want it. And I want it now. Damn you! π
Me too!
Interesting. I wrestled with a new pattern this weekend, making two dresses I’m not crazy about and wondered why I had so much trouble. Last night, I made a Sewaholic Saltspring dress and started a second. I fell instantly in love with Tasia again — comparatively speaking, her instructions and her fitting was just exactly what I needed after the other NEW and shall not be named pattern. I’m going to try a Hollyburn in something from my stash and see what happens! I’d been thinking about Hollyburn because I saw a mashup recently: Hollyburn on bottom; Cambie on top and it worked really well.
I swear, everything Tasia touches turns to gold. That woman cannot release a crappy pattern as far as I’m concerned.
And speaking of awesome Sewaholic patterns… you have reminded me that I have Saltspring Plans, which I must attend to asap.
You have GOT to make a matching top and go all fake dress with this fabric!! It is just TOO GOOD! Seriously. Fabric envy/love/obsession.
I’ve always been a pretty big fan of the Hollyburn skirt – granted I’ve never made it – but I always have intentions to make one! Hahaha! It’s sort of the perfect amount of flare, in my opinion. And I love it in a drapey fabric. Now I think maybe I need to give it a try…
This is so cute! I love the colors! I totally hear you about patterns… I’m like “BORING… give me something with baubles and some sort of odd, trendy detail that I definitely only need one version of in my closet” and then I have nothing to wear. And I forget how easy it is to sew something once you’ve already made it and sorted out the fit and construction. Make more of this skirt!!!
Yeah, I love the challenge and fun of a new pattern but sometimes ya just want something in your closet that is still going to look good in 2 years (and can be made a million times without people realizing you’re using the same pattern over and over, lolz). Man. I need to get more on multiples again!
Love it!
YES to the fake dress! That skirt is super cute. Good thing I don’t live in Nashville….looooove paisley.
All I’ve gotta say is, you’re missing out. Nashville is amaaazing π hahaha!
The skirt is so flattering on you. I prefer “boring” patterns. : )
LOL – you SHOULD, and then you should meet up with Peter wearing his matching Madras shorts and shirt …http://www.moodsewingnetwork.com/patchwork-madras-and-pink-linen. I mean, you really got to flaunt this stuff!
I AM SO IN!
That fabric is amazing! Seriously jealous….! Now I want to make this skirt again.
Hollyburn is like my absolute favorite skirt pattern. I totally have three of them — no shame! I don’t have a drapey one yet, but it’s a super cute look! I usually am so set on stiffer fabrics for skirts, but the drapey look is adorbs!
Defs make the Belcarra blouse — nothing wrong with a fake dress! π
I think it was your Hollyburn (or, rather, one of them haha) that made me decide I needed this pattern! Soo – thank you! And I hear ya on preferring stiffer fabrics for skirts, but ooh try some drapey. It’s kind of mind-blowing with how well it works out.
I’m rocking a Hollyburn today. And, I absolutely agree, it’s great. I really like how you’ve belted this! Such a cute detail.
Matching skirt to top would be rad, totally do it. And I love the Hollyburn too, so simple and quick but so nice to wear.
Do it!
Love this skirt, that fabric is ace! Why would you not want a matching blouse?!
love this! i’ve been meaning to pick up this pattern sometime. i totally get the versatility and it looks great in rayon!
Do you really need to ask if a Belcarra in the same fabric needs to happen? Of COURSE you should fake dress it up!
Love the fake dress idea! I have a question – your added belt loops look sooooo friggin awesome, how do you do this? I am so close to finishing my first pair of Thurlows (another wonderous Tasia invention!) but I just can’t get the belt loops to look right. They always look bitsy and handmade and uneven – Gah! do you have any belt-loop ninja tricks or advice?? Thanks!
Hmmm well I really just followed the instructions for these! They are a little wider than the Thurlow belt loops, if I recall (I haven’t made a pair in a while.. but now you’re reminding me that I SHOULD, ahhahaha), so that helps make them look more, eh, robust. Ha. If they’re looking floppy, consider interfacing the fabric before you finish the first edge. Also, press the SHIT out of them – press while you’re folding into thirds, press each end under, and then press when they’re sewn on. Oh, and try to sew as close to the edge as possible; I find that makes things look a little more precise π Hope this helps π
Thanks! I think the interfacing might make all the difference – the wool blend I’m working with is quite soft and floppy which makes it super comfy π Also it is sunshine yellow! so now I am wearing yellow thurlows as I type this YAAAAY! Thanks for such an awesome sewalong on thurlows BTW, it was a major help with all the finnicky bits and now i am a convert and must make a million pairs!!!
this skirt is beautiful! i love the background in these photos, too. β€
You know, that is seriously the corner of my yard right next to where I usually stand (by the shed). Crazy, right? That damn honeysuckle bush is taking OVER haha!
After loving my Gabriola makes, I am now re-thinking nearly every Sewaholic pattern I’ve never bought π Like you said, they’re amazingly drafted and so useful and dynamic. I just bought myself the Saltspring dress for Mother’s Day, even though it hadn’t appealed to me initially. No you’ve got me thinking Hollyburn… dangit! π Cute paisley and YES to the Belcarra!
I’ve made 2 Hollyburns, and one I put in some horsehair braid for extra effect. π
But now – I’m loving Gabriola!! and I’m gonna make a Belcarra in lace fabric to match it with. π It’s gonna be a great summer.
/Agneta
What a lucky find, that fabric is lush. Wish we had yard sales over in England. I like how the blue of the print matches your hair.
You should definitely make a matching blouse from the same fabric. Also, love how the turquoise colour really picks up the colour of your hair π
Love it! And as you picture do you’re making me reconsider Hollyburn too. This skirt is beautiful! I love the drape. And I think Belcarra is a great idea.
“Picture”? Should be “often”. Stupid phone π