I swear that every time I launch a pattern I’m even more excited to show you the tester makes than the time before.  Each time the testers seem to outdo themselves with beautiful fabrics, fun photos, and visualising the pattern in new and inventive ways!

Testers are super important to me from a technical perspective. They ask about all the things they find confusing, point out any bits in the instructions that don’t make sense, and by help refine the fit so it works as well as possible on as many bodies as possible.

But they are equally helpful in showing all the different fabrics you can make a pattern in, and how it looks on a whole range of bodies.

And finally, from a purely selfish perspective, I’m incredibly grateful to them because their excitement helps me get through the last part of polishing a pattern, where it feels like you spend three days moving illustrations 2mm to the left!

So here’s to the testers of the Kilbirnie Skirt, and their gorgeous makes!

RadRose of @radgeekyrose

RadRose made the most perfectly thought-out outfit around her Kilbirnie Skirt!

She was inspired by the additional design inspiration included in the pattern, and used a contrast facing for her pockets, and added a band around the hem. Her Elsie Blouse (a great pattern if you’re up for the challenge of tackling period sewing instructions) is perfectly coordinated, without being too matchy-matchy. American Duchess Bernadette shoes are the finishing touch.

RadRose made View B in Size 38, taken in slightly as she’s between sizes. She’s wearing it over a Rilla Corset.

Check out her IG for more fabulous photos.

Farah of @farah.paupiette

Farah took a modern approach to the Kilbirnie Skirt, making it for everyday or historybounding wear.

The crisp floral fabric works so well with the gathered View A pockets.

I just love how happy and summer this whole look is!

Farah made View A in Size 50.

Loran of @loranwatkins and Loran’s World

I’ve been following Loran’s blog for years, and I love her approach to sewing and styling so I knew she’d make something fabulous as a pattern tester, and she did not disappoint!

Is so very crisp and chic, and Rose-arriving-at-the-Titanic!

Loran made View B in Size 40.  She shortened the skirt because she prefers a shorter skirt.

@BrazilianBaroness

I thought @brazilianbaroness would want to make a historical Kilbirnie, because she does such beautiful historical costuming, but she saw the pattern and immediately thought of resort wear!

It’s a totally different take on the pattern, and I absolutely love it.

Now I need one of these in linen to wear over swimsuits and with halters and strappy sandals next summer.

She made View B in Size 42, and in her own words “it was PERFECT”.

@litenkrubba

You may have figured out by now that I’m doing ‘historical version, modern version’ for tester makes, so this one was going to be a historically accurate take on the pattern, and it is, and is utter perfection.

Using inspiration from the additional historical examples given, she added a tuck to shorten the skirt to fit her height, and put buttons grouped in pairs all the way down the skirt.

Her fabric is a thin wool in that really wonderful shade of grey-purple I love so much, and her blouse collection has me green with envy!

She made View B in Size 34.

Amy of @overmama

Striped skirts were incredibly popular in the 1910s, so I was incredibly happy when Amy made her version in a striped fabric.

Amy styled it both totally modern for the beach, and then with a more historybounding twist with a sweet blouse.

Amy made View A in Size 34

Maria of @Sew_through_time 

Maria makes incredible historical costumes from a whole range of eras, and she has the most fabulous flair for colour (my entire local costuming group is desperately in love with her cherry blossom Edwardian ensemble), which is very much in evidence with her Kilbirnie make!

That colour is just stunning – as is the whole outfit! And with the lilacs! I’m so happy she took lilac photos, so I can enjoy them vicariously – you don’t see them much here in NZ.

Maria’s fabric is a lightweight cotton sateen, and she made View B in Size 32.

Mary of @subterfuge.jpg

Along with stripes, checks of all sizes were common in the 1910s.  Mary chose this fabulous large-scale gingham for her historybounding take on the Kilbirnie Skirt. The fabric would have been totally appropriate in 1915, but is also fabulously modern – and means she could play with the grain of the pockets!  I love what she did – it’s a neat nod to dazzle!

Mary made View B in Size 46.

Jessica @jessnicolehandmade

Jessica had a vision for her Kilbirnie Skirt. She wanted a particular shade of green.  And when she couldn’t find fabric in that specific shade she dyed it herself!

The effect is gorgeous, and a beautiful showcase for the pocket details of View A.

She made View A in Size 40.

Jessie @j.lady_bonbon

Blue was particularly popular as a colour choice for the Kilbirnie, but even with all the other blues her fabric stands out!

Her wild silk plaid is just delicious. Textured silks were very popular in the 1910s, so this fits perfectly. Check out her instagram to see the beautiful buttons up close, and the other fabulous detail she added.

Isn’t it striking!

She made View B in Size 38.

Jocelyn of @skirted_galleons

Lucky last is Jocelyn’s charming Kilbirnie in cherry blossom pink cotton voile.

The fabric really lets the details of the skirt shine.

She’s also wearing American Duchess Bernadette’s, and now I think I need a pair!

Jocelyn made View A in Size 54.

So many beautiful makes, so much awesome inspiration!

Thank you to all the awesome testers! I am incredibly grateful for your input!

Get your own Kilbirnie Skirt pattern here!