A new pattern: Nina skirt and culottes!

On Wednesday I’ll be launching my new pattern for women: the Nina skirt & culottes. After a short questionnaire on Facebook you didn’t seem to expect me to draw a new pattern for kids, so I’ve been a good girl and I drew a women’s pattern again! :)

One of my sewing buddies at school inspired me to draw an A-line culottes pattern. I think a pattern can’t be more vintage then a pair of culottes, don’t you think? Since I had to start from a basic A-line I thought I’d just add that option to the pattern as wel. This way I ended up with a two-in-one pattern that starts from a really basic A-line skirt to a more advanced piece of garment: the culottes (or skirt) that you can finish with a fly front zipper and different types of pockets. With this pair of culottes I hope to persuade you to add a new type of garment to your closet.

Today I’m showing you one of my culottes! Before going in dept on the pattern options I would like to tell you a little story on how difficult this development process was and why I wil certainly not draw my next pattern for women! In 7 weeks I have lost 7kg. This means my body has changed a lot in a short periode of time. My first skirts were a Compagnie M. size XL, but at the moment my measurements are more between a M and L. I’m really happy with the result, but it did make the development of this pattern a lot more difficult. I was happy that I could rely on a group of enthusiastic testers that helped me (again). From the first time the fit seemed turned out perfect. So that was a major relief! Thanks a lot testers for your help!

Here is the endless list of options: you can either start from an A-line skirt of culottes. To close your Nina, you can choose between an invisible zipper or a fly front zipper. And of course no Compagnie M. pattern without pocket options. You can choose between diagonal pockets, faux flap pockets, double welt pockets, faux double welt pockets and a double welt pocket with button & button loop. The icing on the cake! The waistband can have a small or large overlap and when you’re a big fan of piping like me, you can add some between te pockets flaps, the side seam, waistband,…  Add lining according to the season.

I’ve finished this first pair of culottes with a fly front zipper. It has one faux flap pocket and a real pockets with the same shape. When you like this little twist, you can make this version with the instructions as well.

The instructions are the most detailed ones I’ve ever written. My personal goal was to guide absolute beginners to a perfect skirt. I’ve been teaching some mothers at school how to sew and they made me realise that this A-line skirt is the perfect project to start with. I hope I can learn a lot of seamstresses how to sew with this pattern.

The idea of a culottes is to give you an impression of a skirt when you stand still. But when you start walking you only realise that it’s not a basic skirt with a box pleat but a vert comfy pair of pants! Comfortable is the key word for this culottes. Although I only made these culottes at the very end I walked around in my muslin version from time to time. Just because I loved the fit. :) I know which pair of culottes I will take on holiday with me for sure.

This week I’ll show you another pair of culottes and 3 more basic skirts. I hope you’ll like my new pattern! I’ll release the Nina on Wednesday and from next Monday a great tour will start. 14 seamstresses from all over the world will try the inspire you. I’m as curious to see the result as you are! To be continued!

By the way: I bought both great denim fabrics at Pauli (Leuven). A shop you should surely visit when you’re in town.