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Rowan meets Brumby

Megan Nielsen Rowan turtleneck bodysuit and Brumby skirt

Megan Nielsen Rowan turtleneck bodysuit and Brumby skirt Megan Nielsen Rowan turtleneck bodysuit and Brumby skirt Megan Nielsen Rowan turtleneck bodysuit and Brumby skirt Last year I noticed a trend in my sewing: grey. Loads of grey. Evidently this is going to continue in 2017, I hope you’re ok with that hehe. I think its probably my favourite neutral and I’m really enjoying how well it pairs with other colours. But you know whats better than one grey? TWO GREYS! hahaha

This is a grey Rowan turtleneck bodysuit that I made during the pattern development process – I liked it so much that we made one exactly the same for the photoshoot. I think this has probably been my most worn Rowan make. It just goes with everything, and I found myself constantly layering it under dresses or with skirts that I couldn’t ordinarily have worn in cold weather. I love making my wardrobe last longer, and reduced the pain of saying goodbye to summery things during cold weather.

For my Rowan bodysuit I graded between sizes to work with my pear shape. So I graded from a S to a M at the hips. Really happy with this, it’s super comfy! I don’t know if anyone else is nutty about this – but I hate hate hate having a cold back. Nothing will make me feel cold quicker than my back being uncovered. Wearing bodysuits all winter was revolutionary for me, and i don’t think i’ll be turning back.Megan Nielsen Rowan turtleneck bodysuit and Brumby skirt Megan Nielsen Rowan turtleneck bodysuit and Brumby skirt

Now onto the skirt – and for this one, I must admit, I made it a few years ago but haven’t blogged because it’s taken me that long to warm up to it. I actually made it during the Brumby testing phase, so that was in early 2015? Yikes. I had been hoarding the fabric for about 10 years, and had originally bought it to make myself a suit for work, back when I had a more corporate career. It’s a super lovely wool suiting with silver flecks through it, and I wish i had taken a close up photo for you!

Since my life isn’t suits anymore I was really struggling to find a project to use this lovely fabric in. So when I was testing Brumby, I thought it was a good opportunity to try and use it in a way that would suit me now. And i’m not going to lie to you: I hated this skirt the second I finished it. Oddly it reminded me of my highschool uniform, even though it looks nothing like it. It’s the same length, and that’s it. I honestly don’t know why my brain went there, no-one else agreed with me, but trying to get past the feeling I was wearing my school uniform was really difficult. So it’s been sitting in my wardrobe for 2 years.

I honestly hate it when I make something and don’t wear it – it feels so wasteful! The ruined fabric! Does anyone feel like this? It baffles me that I can choose everything in a garment and still get to the end and not like it. Especially since i designed the pattern. The irony of creating a dud garment from my own sewing pattern is not lost on me LOL.

But I think putting it to the side for while helped, and I am now well and truly over my illogical brain associations… maybe hehe.

Megan Nielsen Rowan turtleneck bodysuit and Brumby skirt

About Author

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.

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kathryn
5 years ago

What a lovely combination! I love the look and sound of that skirt fabric too – funny how long it can take sometimes to change your initial reaction to something. I can’t wait for warmer weather so I can get all my Brumby’s out – I have washed them all in preparation!

Abbey
5 years ago

I love both of these together, Megan! And the styling for these pics is spot on!! I never fancied the Brumby before, but now you’ve piqued my interest, I may have to give it a second look.

stitchandfinish
5 years ago

I love this skirt and particularly in the grey!!

School uniform associations have happened to me as well, but with blue rather than grey. But I’m starting to realise that I like wearing a warm skirt with stockings, a simple top, and a jacket for warmth. Or a dress, with a jacket. It’s comfortable, it’s smart, it’s warm, and it’s practical for my job. Granted it really is very similar to the school uniform I once wore (skirt was the winter uniform, dress was summer). But I’m finally starting to think – who cares? If I’m warm and it suits me…