Hello Hollyburn with a side of Irish

This was a case of love at first sight. Between Sewaholic's own glorious red skirt, and this seriously classy number by Rue de Renards I knew a version of the Sewaholic Hollyburn skirt would be making it into my work wardrobe sooner or later, and I knew it would be perfect.

And perfect it is. So perfect that in wearing it to work today I unintentionally (I swear) ended up dressing appropriately for St Paddy's Day. Guess I'm not above celebrating my alleged Irish heritage (no, really) after all. The only question that remains now is how many of this same skirt would be too many. Two? Five? Ten? I'm not sure I even need ten work skirts, but you get my drift, I'd gladly make one of these in every colour. Speaking of colour, I found this lovely teal wool-viscose mix with the perfect combination of body and drape at a local fabric shop and knew (well, hoped and got lucky) that it would be just right for this pattern. 

This is view B - middle length, medium flare - with that uber cute tab button detail. I actually cut this skirt out at the end of January but then set it aside to concentrate on the Georgia sewalong. So it's sewn up in size 8 based on my rather more, uh, generous post-festive season waist measurement. You can't quite tell in these photos but it now falls rather nearer my hips than is ideal. That's fine for this wool version, which is likely to be mostly worn with bulkier tops or multiple layers (or hibernation insulation of the excess mulled wine and mince pie variation) in winter anyway, but for future versions I'll definitely be guided by the finished waistband measurement and go for a more snug size for the most flattering fit.

I followed the My Messings Hollyburn Sewalong for a few extra tips and for fun, but it really was a simple sew and perfectly explained in the pattern instructions. So I took care with the details. I finished all the seams, including the hem, with black bias binding (Hong Kong finish, I think it's called?), and fully lined it in silk. I must confess that I can't get enough of that silk lining. A local fabric store has a wonderful stock of hand-woven, hand-dyed Thai silk on sale, but if I told you where I bought it I'd have to kill you as apparently once this stock is sold out it's gone forever. I'm doing my very best to buy some of everything before that happens. 

Action shot. That hem gives seriously good schwing. Both my husband (photographer, stylist, and now assistant - his CV is growing) and I were slightly intimidated by the whole measuring up from the ground for even hemmage thing, but once we pulled our big boy and girl panties on I reckon we did a fairly decent, even job. And I had to insert another invisible zip instead of the suggested regular one because I love them and they may in fact be the only type of zip I currently know how to install.

So! This was an angst-free post, you guys! No angst at all! Nothing but love for the skirt, and love for the Irish, and self-timed photos without major styling faux-pas, and a minor degree of fangirling over Sewaholic. I say minor... I may have purchased a significant number of her patterns after the brilliant success of this skirt, and I'm currently in the process of sewing up Sewaholic skirt number two, but I reckon it's always best to play it cool with undying declarations of love, you know?