Same Pattern Different Bodies: Fig + Needle Crestwood Skirt

Newish pattern company Fig + Needle debuted their first two patterns last winter–the Elwynn blouse and Faron Pinafore. Although I haven’t gotten around to making either up yet, I thought both designs were really cute, and I loved how their size range was inclusive from the start.  I jumped at the chance to test their new Crestwood skirt pattern when the opportunity came up. Carla, my fellow Same Pattern, Different Bodies participant, was also a pattern tester for the Crestwood.  As a result, we received free copies of this pattern in exchange for pattern testing. The opinions expressed in this blog post are our own.

As someone who avoids wearing pencil skirts, I’m always on the lookout for interesting A-line and fuller skirt patterns. The Crestwood grabbed me because while it’s a basic enough A-line skirt, the seaming and pocket details struck me as fairly unique.

I liked the sample skirts and the opportunities to play with color blocking and fabric grain.

Fig + Needle patterns have two size ranges: a size 0-12 range and a size 14-26 range. Each range is drafted from a separate block, with the 0-12 size range drafted for a D-cup and the 14-26 range is drafted for a DD-cup.

Carla and I were both pattern testers for our skirts, so we’re reviewing the tester version in this post; however, we’re not aware of any significant changes that were made to the final draft of the skirt.

Michelle

• Measurements: High Bust – 42″, Bust –46.5″, Bra Size – 40D/DD, Waist – 42″, Hips – 46″, Height – 5’2″.
• Body shape: My body type is somewhere between a hourglass and rectangle from the front, and an apple from the side.
• Pattern size used: Size 20 waist blended to a size 18 hip.
• Alterations: I shortened the skirt length by 3″ to maintain the just-above-knee-length.

• Fabric: Ochre-colored stretch corduroy from La Mercerie (now sold out).
• Fit: I’d say that the pattern fits true-to-size. Mine fits me well in the hips, but I shouldn’t have gambled on the waist size and should have graded up to a size 22 instead of a size 20. This is nothing that sewing a quick muslin wouldn’t have fixed.

• Changes for future versions: I will definitely grade up to a size 22 at the high hip/waist in future versions.  I like a snug waistband, and a lot of times I can get away with grading up just one size from my hips, but I should have gone with the pattern measurements this time.
• Final thoughts: The extra details make the Crestwood a fun take on a classic A-line skirt. I really enjoyed sewing this up and have already pre-washed fabric to sew up the Fig + Needle Faron pinafore. I love that this company was already size-inclusive from their initial pattern launch!

Carla

For an in-depth analysis and review of the Fig + Needle Crestwood skirt, check out Carla’s latest vlog post: