Helens Closet

Helen's Closet Donovan Skirt

Regular price £13.00 GBP
Sale price £13.00 GBP Regular price £13.00
Copyshop

We print out the A0 pattern sheets, but you’ll need to download the digital instructions, as we don’t print these. The PDF files will be emailed immediately after purchase, and the printed A0 pattern sheets will be dispatched next working day.

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Buy the Donovan Skirt sewing pattern from Helen's Closet. The Donovan Skirt is a beginner sewing pattern that teaches a variety of sewing techniques and results in a beautiful, everyday garment. This classic elastic waist skirt has the perfect amount of fullness and works in many different fabrics. It has roomy pockets, an optional drawstring, and two views. View A is a midi-length with a modern side slit and View B is a summery above-the-knee length.

This sewing pattern is available to buy in the following formats:

- PDF (available to download immediately after purchase). What is a PDF?

- PDF pattern + Printed A0 copy shop (We print out the A0 pattern sheets, but you'll need to download the digital instructions, as we don't print these. The PDF files will be emailed immediately after purchase, and the A0 pattern sheets will be dispatched next working day). What is Copy Shop?

Suggested fabrics: Light to medium weight woven fabrics with no stretch. Cotton (lawn, poplin, seersucker, shirting), linen, silk crepe de chine, poly crepe, and rayon/viscose challis or poplin work well. Structured fabrics will have more dramatic volume and drapier fabrics will have more fluid movement.

Fabric requirements:

View A (midi-length with side slit): 57″ (145 cm) wide fabric: 1.6 - 2.4 yd (1.5 - 2.1 m) // 45″ (114 cm) wide fabric: 2.4 - 2.6 yd (2.2 - 2.4 m).

View B (above-the-knee length): 57″ (145 cm) wide fabric: 1.4 - 2.1 yd (1.3 - 1.9 m) // 45″ (114 cm) wide fabric: 1.9 - 2.1 yd (1.7 - 1.9 m).

Sizing: 0 – 34 (approx. UK 6 – 34, based on our standardised size chart). Please also check the designer's size chart and finished garment measurements.

Notions: Thread; 2" x 3" (5 cm x 8 cm) piece of fusible interfacing; 1.5" wide elastic, sizes 0-10: 28" (71 cm), sizes 12-20: 34" (86 cm), sizes 22-34: 45" (114 cm).

PDF pattern includes: Instructions; US letter/A4 print-at-home pattern (29 pages); A0 copy shop pattern (2 sheets).

If you’re looking for more maker inspiration, check out the latest sewing pattern reviews from the sewing community. We also have a sewing blog to keep you up to date with all the news from the world of sewing.

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Customer Reviews

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M
Mel Forrest
Easy peasy wardrobe staple!

This is a really lovely, simple pattern, which is ideal for beginner sewists and a quick, fun sew for those with more experience.

I used some absolutely gorgeous Mind the Maker viscose for my skirt, which I bought from Sew Me Sunshine. I was drawn to the colours and not quite sure how best to show off the large-scale print, but I think a simple skirt like the Donovan turned out to be a great choice.

I've raved about Helen's instructions in every review of her patterns I've posted here and the Donovan skirt is no exception. They are expertly written, well illustrated and full of lots of good tips - you cannot fault them!

I made view A of the skirt, which is the longer length with side splits and I made a size 6 with no alterations. My hips always fall into a bigger size than my waist, but there's no need to grade with this pattern, as the gathered, elasticated waist means you adjust the finished garment to fit you perfectly - ideal!

When browsing the hashtag and reading reviews before I made my skirt, I noticed a few people commented on the pocket openings being a bit floppy and sticking out. I added some strips of interfacing on the skirt front before I attached the pockets, which I think has helped minimise this. I think it is also less noticable when the skirt is worn quite high up on the natural waist.

I'm so pleased I used this special fabric for the Donovan skirt. It's such a comfortable, easy-going garment and it's ideal to dress up or down depending on how you style it. I made a Grainline Studio Willow Tank in the same fabric to wear as a faux dress, but it looks equally lovely with a casual tee. Another absolute winner from Helen's Closet!