Hello! I am so happy to be helping to kick off the Cleo Summer Showcase from Made By Rae! Rae is one of my favorite pattern designers and I am always excited when I get to sew one of her patterns for the first time. I had been wanting to sew the Cleo skirt since it was released. Rae made so many fabulous versions of the skirt and two of my favorites are this Liberty skirt and Jess’ cropped Gemma and Cleo combination.
I knew when I made my first Cleo I wanted to make the midi version. I am loving midi-length skirts lately. A lot of my skirts are knee-length or just above the knee and I’m not wearing them as much this summer. Part of that is my current phase of motherhood with a 2.5 year old and part of it is that it feels like a luxury to have a few more inches of fabric swirling around my legs.
I have been hoarding this floral rayon twill for a few years now. I’m so glad I decided to use it for this skirt. The drape is perfect, and it’s opaque so I don’t need to wear a slip underneath. This is the kind of skirt that I could dress up with a nice blouse or wear casually with a t-shirt like I did here.
My measurements put me at a size M at the waist and a size L at the hips. I knew there would be plenty of ease so I could make a straight size M, but I really wanted to have the intended amount of fullness at the hips for my first time making the pattern. My initial plan was to grade out at the hips but then I decided to use the width of the size M for the front piece and the L for the back piece. I think this was a good compromise and I didn’t have to change the shape of the pattern pieces at all. I also lengthened the skirt by about 1/2″.
I thought it would be fun to add a self-fabric tie belt to the skirt. I added some belt loops to help keep the tie in place. I wish I would have thought to add the loops before I had the whole skirt assembled, because I ended up having to sew the back belt loops over the elastic. If I had done it earlier in the process I could have adjusted the back casing a bit or changed the width of the elastic so that I didn’t have to sew through it. It was a little bit awkward to sew but the skirt still pulls on and off so I’m calling it a success!
Cleo is a simple pattern that would be perfect for a beginner. I was able to sew mine in an afternoon so it’s great if you’re looking for an instant gratification project. Rae has a way of elevating simple silhouettes that make her patterns such a pleasure to sew. I love how the inseam pockets are slightly recessed and understitched so that they disappear into the side of the skirt. I’ve already made a second Cleo skirt using the scoop pockets from the other pattern view and I thought the pattern pieces/construction of those was unique.
I’m loving my new Cleo skirt and I’m really excited to see the rest of the skirts in the Cleo Summer Showcase. Be sure to check out these other bloggers and Instagrammers throughout the week to get more Cleo inspiration! Thanks for having me as part of the tour, Rae!
july 31
vicky / @sewvee / sewvee.blogspot.co.uk
erin / @hungiegungie / hungiegungie.com
natalie / @sewhungryhippie / hungryhippie sews
teri / @teridodds1 / fa sew la
august 1
tori / @thedoingthingsblog / thedoingthingsblog.com
lindsay / @lindsayinstitches
meredith / @thefooshe / oliviajanehandcrafted.com/blog
kate / @kate.english
august 2
melissa / @ahappystitch / ahappystitch.com
julie / @nursebean82 / nursebeansews.wordpress.com
lauren / @laurenddesign / laurendurrdesign.com
august 3
fleurine / @mariefleurine / sewmariefleur.com
bettina / @stahlarbeit / stahlarbeit.ch
allie / @indie_sew / indiesew.com/blog
darci / @darcialexis / darcisews.com
emily / @mycraftylittleself / mycraftylittleself.blogspot.com
august 4
whitney / @whitneydeal / whitney-deal.com/blog
sienna /@notaprimarycolor
amy nicole / @amynicolestudio / amynicolestudio.com
kim / @pitykitty
kten / @jinxandgunner / jinxandgunner.blogspot.com
~Teri
p.s. The Cleo skirt pattern was provided to me for my participation in the blog tour. But, I had this skirt on my July sewing list before I was invited to be part of the tour so I would have purchased it anyway! The opinions expressed are my own.
Fa Sew La 
GOREGEOUS
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Thanks so much!
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I just adore that waist tie! Totally agree that midi skirts feel more luxe than higher skirts. Well done!
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Thanks, Natalie! I’m loving the waist tie, too. This is such a nice skirt to swish around in!
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Love that fabric! Think I used the same fabric for a dress a couple yrs ago – making me wish for fall to wear it again! Anyway, great skirt, and good call on the longer length. Feeling a little luxe is nice when you’re chasing toddlers!
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Thanks, Lisa! Every time I would try to come up with an idea for this fabric I would remember the dress you made from it. It’s definitely one of my favorite things you’ve made. I have enough fabric left over for a dress, I think, but probably not enough fabric for sleeves. I will probably wait until next Spring to decide what to do with the rest of the fabric.
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Beautiful skirt! Love this whole tour.
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Thanks, Audrey! Have you tried Cleo? It would be a great skirt for you and your tall girls since it’s so easy to lengthen!
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