Sew Liberated Estuary Skirt

After years of lusting after these pockets, I finally bought the Estuary skirt pattern and wasn't disappointed.

There only reason that I put off buying this pattern was that I already had a similar one in my stash. However, when I learnt the back waistband is elasticated, that changed my mind!

The beauty of this feature is the potential for a false button placket... in other words, no sewing buttonholes!

I strongly recommend this pattern but if you're a seasoned sewist, check the instructions before merrily making it. There are instructions for flat-felled seams which I completely missed in my eagerness to make it!

There are more details/photos on my blog, with a bonus review of another pattern!

https://yorkiemousehousehome.wordpress.com/2021/09/12/false-button-plackets/

The Estuary skirt by Sew Liberated is one of my favourite skirt patterns. The instructions are great, making it a lot of fun to sew.  The design of the skirt is so effective and it is one of those fantastic garments that you can wear across all seasons.

The Estuary skirt is a gathered waist skirt with a button down front.  One of the lovely features of the skirt is the waistband, which is elasticated at the back.  This waistband makes it really comfy and it also means the button down placket can be a faux placket - no sewing buttonholes needed!

The skirt has two pocket a feature patch pocket with a lovely slanting detail, and a classic in-seam pocket.  It is designed as a midi length skirt but can easily be made shorter or longer (bear in mind that you will need more fabric if you decide to go longer).

For my version I decided to make a mini skirt version of the Estuary skirt in this lovely cotton ikat fabric.  I opted for in-seam pockets and I decided to omit the button placket completely.  To do this, I just cut two of the back skirt pattern pieces (one for the front and one for the back) and I cut the front waistband as one piece too, omitting the extra seam allowance built into the front waistband pattern pieces for the button placket.

I made a size 0 -  I decided on the size based on my waist size and then sized down one size to make sure the skirt fit snugly (there's still a bit of wiggle room on the final skirt fit when you insert the elastic).  There is plenty of volume in the skirt itself so there's plenty of room around the hips.

I  think this skirt will work well in winter with a pair of tights and a cosy jumper, or in summer with a pair of flip flops and a summery top.  What a great skirt pattern, it will definitely be on my pattern repeat list.

I love a button front skirt, so when I saw this on release day it went straight up to the top of my list. This is my first Sew Liberated pattern and it won't be the last. I really enjoyed making this. It came together quickly and easily. I made a size 8 but a 6 would've been absolutely fine.
The instructions are really great. Very clear writing and good illustrations. The casing for the elastic ended up a little too snug though. It worked, but next time I'm using a 1cm seam allowance for this bit or narrower elastic.
The buttonholes don't all need to be functional. In fact, I don't need mine at all. I can slip the skirt on and off - thank you, elastic band! But what sells this skirt for me are the huge patch pockets. Isn't it good when things have pockets you can actually use to put stuff in? Yes!

Full review here: https://patsypoomakes.blogspot.com/2019/08/estuary-skirt.html

Do you ever tuck a cut of fabric away in your stash, then months later when a new pattern is released, realise that it was completely destined for that project?! I bought 3 beautiful metres of block printed cotton in a vibrant shade of red while we were in India in October and as soon as I saw the Estuary skirt I knew it was a perfect match!

This is a another fantastic pattern by Sew Liberated and because of the clear, well-written and helpful instructions it would be suitable for an adventurous beginner. I say adventurous, but other than plackets, button holes (more about that in a minute) and an elasticated waistband, this is a very straightforward and enjoyable sew.

I made a size 4 with no alterations and chose the size I was going to make entirely on the finished waistband measurement (27.4"). I knew I wanted the waistband to fit snugly (my waist measures around 27") and that because of the full skirt, my hip measurement (38", which incidentally would suggest I make a size 10!) would be obsolete. I'm really pleased with the fit and it's exactly what I wanted.

Let's talk about those buttons... I know lots of people are not fans, but I flipping love sewing button holes and stitching on buttons! All 8 of my buttons are fully functioning, but because of the elasticated waist I actually only need to undo the top two to get the skirt on and off. So don't let the thought of making all those button holes put you off!

I'm really pleased with my Estuary skirt and it's been so nice to wear during the warm weather this summer - perfectly light and swishy! I will definitely be making another - next time I fancy a longer version in a darker fabric for the cooler weather with some in-seam pockets - what do you think?