Axel and Briar take on winter

August 20, 2016

Megan Nielsen Axel skirt in grey ponte knit and Briar cropped tee in embossed scuba

Written by Meg

As a person who loves to wear at lot of dresses and skirts, I find myself constantly trying to find ways to wear them in winter and not freeze my butt off. And i think i have finally found the solution – i shall now make everything out of scuba or ponte fabric!

I feel like I’ve found a way to trick winter. HA take that winter! They are so crazy warm but still structured enough to look polished. Having said that, I do feel I need to clarify that our winter is kind of a joke compared to say a the Midwest USA or Northern European winter. Our winters are more like Autumn. Very mild, still quite sunny with some rainy weeks, and temps barely grazing freezing on the coldest night of the year. Winter in Perth is actually my favourite season.

Megan Nielsen Axel skirt in grey ponte knit and Briar cropped tee in embossed scuba

You may remember this top that I made last year – it’s a long sleeved Briar crop top with a slightly higher neckline made from a pretty amazing scuba knit (of which i am still hoarding 1m mwahaha). I still really love it and wear it constantly in winter, but must admit that the raw edges are starting to bother me. I may be bored with them? I think I need to finish them, but i don’t want to compromise on the length of the crop by turning under. Right now I’m leaning towards binding the edges in Fold Over Elastic. Any other ideas?

Meanwhile, this is one of the Axel skirts i made for myself during the testing process. I decided to leave the hem raw because if i’m honest, i was tired, and couldn’t be bothered hemming it. Which is silly because hemming takes very little time, but funnily enough, i actually really love the hem raw and have no intention of fixing it. Happy accident my dears! See how i contradict myself on the whole raw hem thing? Oh dear.

The fabric is a lovely thick ponte knit from Potter Textiles a few years ago. I used it in the sample for my Erin maternity skirt back in 2013 and have been hoarding the rest for a rainy day. I’m glad i kept it now, because its really perfect for Axel. Though it’s hard to see from a distance, but close up it has a really cool slubby texture that i just love.

So who thinks i should hem my skirt? Please so no because i’m still feeling really lazy hehe

Megan Nielsen Axel skirt in grey ponte knit and Briar cropped tee in embossed scuba

Axel MN2207 Briar MN2303

About Author

Meg

Meg is the Founder and Creative Director of Megan Nielsen Patterns, and is constantly dreaming up ideas for new sewing patterns and ways to make your sewing journey more enjoyable! She gets really excited about design details and is always trying to add way too many variations to our patterns.

13 Comments

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Liliana

5 years ago

I love the fabric of the Briar – I’ve never seen anything like it! Really cool! And I would leave the hem… as long as it is cut evenly, there is no need :)

Author

Meg

5 years ago

Reply to Liliana

Thanks Liliana! I love a good enabler hehe // And yeah i hadn’t seen that fabric before either, i am just kicking myself that i didnt’ buy the cream version as well, because now i know how well it sews up i’d like to make more! xo

bcwestblog

5 years ago

I would say ditto-leave the hems, it might make the top too short or interfere with the look of them together. Where did you buy the top material. I love the texture.

Author

Meg

5 years ago

Reply to bcwestblog

Thanks honey – that’s what i’m worried about – i really don’t want to make the top shorter, or make anything drape weirdly. The top material was found at a local Perth store called Knitwit, I keep hoping that i’ll find some more online so i can link to it for everyone! xo

Emily Handler

5 years ago

What about using a single strip of fabric to bind the edges? I’m thinking just cut a strip, fold it once, put the raw sleeve edge into the fold and stitch in place. The length would be exactly the same, you’d still keep the raw-edge look since the binding edge would be raw, and it would look more finished.

Or leave as is; it already looks great :)

Author

Meg

5 years ago

Reply to Emily Handler

Emily i seriously love that idea!! I actually have a really small amount of both fabrics left, so i reckon i could swing it. Thanks for the awesome suggestion! xo

Lodi

5 years ago

Please tell me about fold over elastic. It sounds interesting! (And I like unfinished knit edges.)

Author

Meg

5 years ago

Reply to Lodi

Fold over elastic is really cool – it’s the stuff used to bind the edges of intimates and sometimes camisoles etc. It has a plush side and a shiny side, with a fold line across the centre. You simply fold it over the raw edge of hte fabric, and zig zag over the top. I’ve bought it from http://www.sunshineshoppesupply.com/ before – it’s really cool stuff, also really great for making baby headbands and hair elastics! xo

karen

5 years ago

If you want to finish the raw edges of the crop top, keep the top in mind as you look for the perfect lightweight stretchy fabric for the bias binding. If the binding does not change the drape of the top and adds to the overall effect, you will (probably) not kick yourself for messing with a good thing. . My niece would definitely wear that top in winter. I am afraid that my crop top days are long over, but it looks lovely.
Good luck finding that perfect fabric for making the bias binding.

Author

Meg

5 years ago

Reply to karen

Thanks Karen – that’s what i’m most worried about, ruining the drape of the top or compromising the length. Here’s hoping i figure it out soon!

PsychicKathleen

5 years ago

Love your whole outfit! I laughed reading how challenging it is to wear skirts/dresses in the winter months without “freezing your butt off” – I’m in Canada so I totally relate! I love that ponte knit for the Axel skirt – it has shape and drape! I have a rayon ponte that I really love – is your ponte rayon? It is amazing to work with and feels so good to wear.

Author

Meg

5 years ago

Reply to PsychicKathleen

hehe thanks Kathleen! It is hard isn’t it? I lived in Iowa USA for a few years, and in the winter i would try every trick i could to wear dresses in winter. I developed quite a selection of sweater tights, and thick leggings hahaa
Meanwhile, yes the knit for the Axel is a ponte – but i believe it’s a cotton ponte. It really is lovely to work with and i love the body it gives the skirt :)

Lynsey

5 years ago

Great outfit, they look like they were made for each other, I would go raw hem all the way, I’d be too worried of changing the drape or look of it (and I’m quite lazy too)

Axel and Briar take on winter

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