Pattern Testing: Miriam Skirt - Reyna Lay Designs

Is it freezing where you live? Well, it is where I am. I currently have a desperate cat curled up on my lap to keep warm, it's really a mutual agreement - we're both freezing animals.

So let me tell you about this bit of fantastic I'm twirling in today. I tested the Miriam Skirt from Reyna Lay Designs and it was an extra special test because it's Reyna's first pattern! Reyna boasts four years honors degree in Fashion Design, she also runs a successful podcast where she interviews pattern makers, bloggers, and other big names in sewing. Also, she sells her garments from Reyna Lay Designs for purchase if you don't sew! (But if you're here you probably sew, unless .... hi mom!) (I'm being hopeful, haha!)

(P.S. I traveled to the Amazon to take these photos, aka my parent's backyard with a crazy banana tree.)

The Miriam Skirt has several options, including a mini, 1 panel, 2 panels, 4 panels (what I sewed), as well as solid in tea length. All options are pleated and create a full stylized skirt that is perffffff for twirling. (I'm secretly still 7, btw.) The waistband is intentionally thin so you can pair it with a cute crop top (if you don't live in Antarctica Tennessee) but it's cooled off here, so I chose a midriff covering shirt... I really needed a parka. Legit - it's like 53 degrees.

The main fabric is from Joann's, it's a "linen-like" material that I had originally purchased for a dress without realizing how heavy it was. Turned out it was perfect for this skirt as it held the pleats. Plus it looks like a flower galaxy, win! The sheer is just a chiffon from Hobby Lobby, nothing fancy. I thought the weight contrast would make the skirt hang funny but the weight of the bottom strip holds everything in place nicely.

And here is ... this. I guess I was dropping the skirt. I don't know. Looks like I'm saying Psss'shaw... which is something I vaguely recall emo kids saying around high school age.

The actual pattern instructions were pretty straight forward. This is my second skirt ever and first pleats ever. 

-Reyna has a video tutorial to go along with the pattern when you purchase it that assists in the pleats if it's your first time. 

-The pattern also has a "layers option" to just print your size as well as cutting charts if you don't want to print out all the squares and just measure instead. 

-You can print a 4 page pleat chart and just measure the rest! Easy peesy! I chose to print all the pages cause my cutting mat isn't very big and I'm not very accurate with scissors (I use a rotary blade). 

-I sewed up a size 4 according to my measurements on the measuring chart and it fits fantastic! I would say this is my most favorite part of this skirt, sure you can find other pleated skirt patterns, but I don't really want to mess with all the extra ease and slimming it down.

-The instructions are all drawings, not pictures, which makes it a littler easier to see what's going on sometimes. ^^

When I attached the waistband and began to pick the basting stitches, I suppose I picked some of the actual stitches and trimmed too close ... so my skirt is detaching in some areas. (Silly mistakes!) So parts of my skirt/waistband area has a line of zigzag stitches holding them together. Yikes!

I only included this picture because I think humidity makes a cute lions main. <3

Can I include some real talk here, tell me if anyone can relate. When I signed up to test I chose the "mini" as my preferred and check yes that I would do the longer length if my first option was taken. So, long story short, I was picked for the paneled midi instead. At first I was a little disappointed and kept thinking, "ahhh, something I'll never wear!" Then I remembered, testing is to help the designer make an awesome product, not necessarily to get a perfect garment. So I sewed it up and GUESS WHAT? I LOVE IT! If I had been first and gotten the mini, well great, but I would never have made this skirt that makes me feel so elegant and fabulous. Lesson learned, sometimes it great to try something that may not be your "go to." Plus it pairs perfectly with this top. :) Take me on a fancy date, please. 

Reyna was very easy to work with really responsive to all of the testers feedback - I am so excited to see what she does with this new facet of the RLD brand. I think Reyna's first pattern the Miriam Skirt is a total success, it's simple, classic design that has definitely come back into style.

If you sign up for Reyna's newsletter, you get a 10% coupon on your purchase - plus awesome updates when she posts a new podcast!

I had so much fun with the first I did a second, less successful twirling shot. There will be more folks, never enough spinning. :)

Details 

Fabric - Joann's Linen Rayon $10ish/yard for 2 yards = $20

Purple Chiffon $3.00 for 1/2/yard = $1.5

Notions -  Invisible Zipper - 2.99

Thread - $.50

Interfacing - $.50
Approximate Cost: $25.49 (that is super high... I really don't think the fabric was that much, but I bought it months ago and that's what it is now.)

P.S. I really do realize I included 8 pictures (11 if you include each of the spinning shots) of the same thing. I really need to take some detail shots lol. Where is the sewing?! This isn't a look at my face blog, Jesus. But thank you to my favorite sister for being my photographer today. :)