When I first started Scroop Patterns I just turned whatever garment I was researching and making to fill a gap in my own daily wardrobe or costuming wardrobe into a pattern.
The Rilla Corset happened because there were no mid-1910s corset patterns available in PDF form at the time – and I needed one for my Fortnight in 1916 living history research project. The Fantail Skirt also happened because I needed simple Edwardian daywear. There was nothing available in New Zealand pattern-wise, and I got carried away researching.
Patterns like the Te Aro Dress & Top and Otari Hoodie came about because I just really wanted to wear them. The Robin Dress happened because I wanted it for my mother.
My current objective as a patternmaker is to build families for all my patterns, so that you can make a complete outfit from Scroop Patterns. (well, complete-ish. I’m not going to make a pattern if another maker has a good similar pattern in the same size range. I like my sewing collaborative rather than competitive!)
The modern wardrobe Scroop Patterns already work well with each other. I frequently wear all Scroop everyday outfits: Ngaio Blouses with Eastbourne Trousers and Mahina Cardigans, for example.
But the historical Scroop patterns were orphans – and fixing that was my 2021 goal.
So I made the Selina Blouse to go over the Rilla Corset.
And now there’s a skirt to go with both!
The Kilbirnie Skirt
The Kilbirnie Skirt is a playful gathered skirt based on an extant 1910s skirt in my collection. With two quirky pocket options, the Edwardian version of a ‘paper-bag’ waist, and thoughtful instructions based on the extant example and period sewing manuals, the Kilbirnie is a fabulous addition to your historical costuming wardrobe – or your everyday wardrobe!
Plus, it’s on sale!
That’s right, to celebrate the launch, it’s on sale for the next week! Get 10% off the pattern from now until midnight NZ time on Tuesday the 22nd of June.
The discount is applied automatically at checkout – no need to do anything!
(and if you’ve paid attention to the Scroop sale schedule, you can probably guess it’s unlikely there will be another sale on this pattern until the end of November).
The Details
The Kilbirnie comes in sizes 30-56 (waist 24”/61cm to 50”/127cm
View A is taken directly from the extant inspiration skirt, and features rounded patch pockets with cord gathered ruffles that mirror the waist ruffle.
View B is inspired by other skirts of the period. It features decorative front buttons and triangular pockets with buttoned flaps.
And both views go perfectly with the Selina Blouse!
How perfectly the Selina and Kilbirnie pair together is kismet. Both patterns are based on extant garments: a blouse I purchased over the internet from the US, and a skirt I found in an antique store in New Zealand.
Both garments are homemade. Both were probably made from commercial sewing patterns.
Despite being inspired by garments made halfway across the world from each other, they pair as if they were made as a set.
The way the buttons of the blouse and the View B skirt buttons balance makes me extremely happy!
But the Kilbirnie really isn’t just limited to historical costuming.
The test group had so much fun creating fabulous outfits, modern and historical, from the pattern. They take it to the office, and on holiday as resort wear over swimsuits. I can’t wait to show you their makes. And I really can’t wait to see what you did with the pattern!
Sadly, I think I have to wait with a purchase for some indefinite future time. But I love the View A pockets! And can’t wait to read more about the pattern, as customary by now. 😉
a really beautiful and eminently wearable pattern—kudos! and they do indeed look perfect with your blouse pattern. i would love a couple of these skirts, made ankle length in black linen, perhaps, and in a white cotton with the triangle pockets. just so pretty.
Somewhere there is a photograph of my great-grandmother wearing an outfit almost identical to yours…probably about 1915 in Boston. My grandmother always kept it on her bureau, and it disappeared some years ago.
Ha! I am wearing a modern-day “dress in two parts” right now! I think that it is so timely to release a pattern with a gathered “paper bag” waist just as a silhouette has become mainstream again.
Your testers look so happy!