Inspiration and fabrics for making your Ness skirt

Have you fallen for the oh-so-stylish new pattern on the block yet? If you haven't, by the end of this post I guarantee our latest pattern, the Ness skirt, will have your heart skipping a beat!

Ness will slot into any wardrobe seamlessly. Make her in autumn-friendly fabrics, such as corduroy, gobelin, jacquard, or wool - or select a denim for a multi-seasonal piece! With to-die-for denim-inspired details, Ness is sure to build your dressmaking skills and have you creating me mades that look like they just walked out of a shop!

It’s Louise here, and I am going take you through some of the gorgeous options for sewing your Ness skirt. Choosing fabrics for this stylish skirt is a whole heap of fun! You can opt for a standout fabric to make your skirt the star of the show, or choose a solid colour so your Ness can be paired with a multitude of garments in your wardrobe. It is preferable to opt for a fabric with a little stretch for comfort (and ensure running for the bus is a breeze!), but it is not essential.

Please bear in mind that we haven't handled these fabrics ourselves so it’s best to order a swatch if you want to check how they look and feel IRL.

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Corduroy is an autumn winter favourite and one I can't wait to wear as soon as the temperature drops. Choose from fine needlecord to jumbo cords, printed to plains, stretch to non-stretch. As I said earlier, it is preferable to shop for corduroy with stretch (our pink sample was made in stretch needlecord from Sew Me Sunshine), but it is not essential. If you fall in love with something that doesn't have stretch in it, that will work too.

I think we all love corduroy in rich autumnal tones, but I am in love with paler tones like dusty rose and lilac to bring a little lightness into the darker winter days : )

Rows L-R: 1. Liberty cord 2. Jumbo cord 3. Fine cord 4. Stretch needlecord 5. Needlecord 6. 8 wale corduroy 7. Stretch needlecord 8. Stretch cotton needlecord 9. Liberty cord

Feast your eyes on this little lot! Why not treat yourself to some Liberty cord to make a Ness to treasure for years to come, or go for a gorgeous autumn floral, perfect for strolling through the park on a crisp day? This teal stretch needlecord would be a stunning backdrop to any outfit, and the lilac jumbo cord would see your Ness transitioning into spring with ease.

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An obvious, but excellent choice, denim is always going to be a winning one for Ness. Choose from 50 shades of blue, or dip your toe into the sea of coloured denim - there are so many options for this essential fabric. We chose an electric blue stretch denim from Sew Me Sunshine for our sample which gave it a 70s feel.

What about giving your denim Ness a raw hem? Such a cool little detail and saves on hemming - hurrah!

Rows L-R: 1. Stretch denim 2. Denim 3. Stretch denim 4. Stretch denim 5. Stretch denim. 6. Stretch denim 7. Stretch cotton denim 8. Denim 9. Stretch denim

Need I say more? Blue is queen of the denim world and I love these fabrics. The teal denim (bottom left) is such a rich tone and would make a stunning skirt. I'm thinking I need a mustard denim Ness, as it is a tone that features heavily in my colour palette : )

This selection features stretch so they should be super comfy to wear.

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Is it denim, I hear you say? You can choose a printed denim that transforms it from a classic look, or go for a canvas or drill for your skirt. This fabric choice opens up more printed options, and plain colours can look super smart.

I love the idea of the gingham version to wear with tights in the winter, and sandals in the summer - meaning it can stay in the wardrobe rotation all year round.

Rows L-R: 1. Cotton canvas 2. Cotton twill 3. Cotton canvas 4. Stretch garbadine 5. Canvas 6. Stretch cotton 7. Canvas 8. Stretch cotton 9. Cotton twill gabardine

What's not to love about print? A printed skirt is a nice way to mix your outfit up - wear it with a solid Nora or Freya sweater and you are good to go. I am eager to see a Ness made up in this oh-so chic puppy tooth fabric, or one of these stunning prints.

Tilly made a Ness in this swoonsome Rifle Paper Co rose canvas and it is EVERYTHING : )

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Yes, you did just read that right - Ness can become your very own party skirt! With such a simple silhouette, Ness looks lovely with a glam blouse tucked in - grab a clutch and some heels and you're ready to hit the town! I think every wardrobe needs a little leopard in it and a skirt is the perfect way to fit it in.

Rows L-R: 1. Jacquard 2. Jacquard 3. Jacquard 4. Brocade 5. Brocade 6. Upholstery velvet 7. Jacquard 8. Jacquard 9. Tapestry jacquard

I am so excited about this selection - look at them glisten! Jacquards, brocades and cotton velvet are perfect for party fabrics (or just to sparkle on a Tuesday, that's up to you!). You are unlikely to find them with stretch - however they will work just fine. I am smitten with this blue brocade (number 4) and love the idea of a strokable velvet Ness.

Rows L-R: 1. Gobelin 2. Jacquard 3. Jacquard gobelin 4. Metallic linen 5. Upholstery fabric 6. Jacquard 7. Tapestry 8. 9. Upholstery fabric

We were all giddy over our gobelin tapestry Ness sample skirt, so I couldn't do an inspo post without sharing this unexpected fabric choice! Gobelin tapestry or upholstery fabrics can all be used for the Ness skirt - take care to feel the fabric to make sure it will be comfortable to wear before cutting into it and steer clear of anything too stiff.

I particularly love fabric number 5, I think it would make a gorgeous Ness.

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It wouldn't be an inspo post if we didn't talk customisation - and Ness is full of possibilities. The stitch lines are just waiting for contrast topstitching thread, don't you think? I love this stunning ecru and black combo, or the black with white thread contrast.

You can add more pockets (because who doesn't love pockets?) or change the placement. I am also excited by the idea of adding braces - if you did these with buttons on the inside of the waistband, you could wear your skirt with or without. Now that's versatile!

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Why not turn your hand to another crafty skill and get some embroidery thread to pimp up your skirt? I love the idea of a mermaid skirt, complete with a shell on the pocket, or a little message stitched in.

If that's not your thing, you can get patches to iron or sew onto your skirt, to create a speedy but effective embellishment. A simple strip of woven ribbon sewn down the side, like this rainbow one, is a very cute addition. Denim plaits on denim is so 70s and I am in love with this pretty detail!

I hope you've enjoyed reading this as much as I have writing it! Share your Ness makes with us on Instagram @TillyButtons using the hashtag #SewingNess - we can't wait to see what you make!