Mini Skirt Galore - An April 2025 Design Recap
Everything I made in April, from customer's orders to fun little side projects I took. Plus, my honest opinion on them.
April was a whirlwind of a month for me. I had a big ol career crisis and then the week after was invited to be a speaker at an entrepreneurship and innovation event hosted by the University of St. Andrews (where I studied) the University of Dundee and the University of Abertay. There’s a really strange duality about staying at a hotel that’s paid for to speak about entrepreneurship whilst also feeling SO much fear for not having had pursued a traditional career path (I want to write a whole blogpost on this).
Because of all of these bigs feelings (and my attempt at ignoring these big feelings - the yellow skirt I made in march - proving not to work) I made sure to just do simple, manageable projects. I was trying to prevent myself from feeling overwhelmed. Thus in April, a lot of my projects were 1-2 hour ones, where I could enjoy the feeling of having completed something over one or two playtime sessions, with a decent amount of confidence that it will succeed. Low risk projects basically, with a high number of completed pieces so I can feel good about myself when editing my “what I made this week” videos.
April has ended well because I did find two wonderful freelance jobs that are perfect for me, so no more career crisis, onwards and upwards we go into May!
Without further ado, everything I made in April
Boots trouser upcycle into pleated skirt
I found this pair of trousers at my local charity shop for £1. I absolutely love pleated mini skirts, however, the length that looks good and the flashing risk factor never align. I decided that built in shorts would solve all of my problems. I actually did not like the way it looked at first, there’s something about the way pleated skirts that doesn’t look right on my body and I’m not entire sure why.
Construction notes
This is actually a really straight forward upcycle. I just chopped the legs off, cut it in two and then sewed all the panel together to create one long horizontal piece. Pleated it by hand and sewed it onto the top of the now shorts.
I wanted to keep the look of the pleated skirt and the functionality of the original fly front zip of the trouser, so where the skirt meets at the front, I finished the seams, and then sewed the front pieces to each other from the bottom to where the zipper starts. Its not the cleanest job but it doesn’t flap open when I walk which was my main concern
I left the top & the hem of the skirt unfinished - I really liked the look (and I also didn’t want to waste length on a hem)
I ended up sewing down the pleats at the top 2” to make it less poofy and I’m not sure if I like it or not but I don’t care enough to unpick the stitches so I guess they’re staying that way for the time being.
2. Scalloped skirts (which like to call petal skirt)
I really truly love these skirts. If you ask me how I would describe myself in a piece, I would say anything with scallops. I made the red one first with a lining for a more autumn/winter vibes and then the green is meant to be worn in the spring & summer.
I made a scalloped dress last September for the drop but truthfully I wasn’t really satisfied with the shape of the scallops. When you draft a pattern and you include the seam allowance, they always seem so much bigger than they are, so when you go to sew them and you see their final form without the seam allowance, it’s always a little bit of a shock. When I was drafting this pattern the scallops looked HUGE but I’m quite happy with the final size.
Construction notes:
I made two muslins before being happy with the pattern.
The red skirt is fully lined, which is easier when working with a hem like a scalloped skirt because you sew it right side together, clip all corners, turn inside out and press really well.
I did make the red one a tad too big because it’s for the winter so I wanted it to have a little leeway for when I want to tuck my chunky knits in. I’ve thus put in two tacks on each side seam, creating a little pleat that I can take out come winter time.
I always finish my skirts with a lapped zipper! It’s easy, it’s clean, it’s how I learnt it at fashion school and I have never gone back.
I didn’t want to line the green skirt, so I finished all of the edges with a Hong Kong finish instead. This is where you wrap bias binding around the edges to finish any raw seams. Finishing the hem with a Hong Kong finish was also a little tricky - I curved out the harsh lines where each scalloped met each other so it would be more of a wave.
I wanted this skirt to be as easy as possible. The time constraint of playtime makes me think fast and make technique decisions that will be the quickest overall. I decided not to add a waistband, but finish off the waist with a 3/8 hem.
3. Mayu skirt
Mayu and I concluded our skill trade, I finished making her skirt and she gave me a bento box of a lamb potato stew.
4. Mac top order for my friend Kennedy
https://www.noedresses.com/store/the-mac-top
Kennedy is a friend of Alice (who I made the June drop top for last month). She was visiting London and we got a chance to chat over drinks!! She told me she wanted this top so I made it in a hurry before she left the country!! Hope you had a lovely stay <3 <3
5. Laptop cover
I have made yet another laptop cover because guess what!! The digital sewing pattern is now available to purchase :))) Super happy about this one and I think I am finally ready to start making clothing patterns!
Youtube tutorial: https://youtu.be/ajyQa3qlSys
6. Corset dress
I’m making a corset dress out of this lovely fabric. Bonus points if you recognize it!! It’s not done but at the time of writing this blog (May 1st) I am SO close to being done so it’s only fair to include it in my April recap. This is a corset dress with my classic long ties, and the tiered skirt that I do in my January western ruffle skirt. I hope you’re as excited as I am.
Things I want to make in May
I write this section with a sigh of relief because for the past few months I have been spending a good chunk of my time client & job hunting. I work freelance in social media so I sometimes go through periods where I don’t have enough work and therefore need to find more. This takes up a good amount of time and energy and it’s tricky to make time for creative projects. Now that I have a few more clients and can better predict how much time I have to set aside for my business & creative endeavours, I can dream big!!
A briefcase bag???
I hate carrying totebags on my shoulders - I like holding my items directly in my hands. I however carry my computer around a lot so I am in need of something big enough to fit that but also with a hand holding handle.
I present to you this sketch, in my head she is yellow gingham and quilted.
2. Scalloped collar jacket.
I know this Damson Madder style quilted jacket has been in style for a very long time and perhaps they are on their way out, but I am adding my little touch of a scallop to the collar. I worked on this muslin this month so I’d love to make it for real, though it’s starting to feel way too warm for jacket??
3. January skirt in white & red
I made a January skirt in white last month for a client and I’ve been thinking about making my own but WHAT IF it had red detailing!! Ive always loved white and red together and I think it would add such a whimsical touch. I’d love for the hem to have a red trim and even horizontal seam to have red piping.
4. Travel pouches
This has been on my to make list for approximately 4 years :) I have a bunch of really old ones that are ugly that I use when I travel and I wanted a proper set. I cut out two during playtime one morning so hopefully I finished those soon!
I am so excited for the spring and summer months, many many fun things coming your way!
My blog/substack will be updated fortnightly - a monthly design recap on the 1st of every month and a think piece on the 15th. This month’s think piece is titled “How feelings mix with productivity & creativity”.
Please feel free to comment down what you’ve made in April that you’re proud of, or what you want to make in May :) See you next month!
a happy gal :)
Lots of Love,
Noemie