FS Julia Skirt in FS Cotton Poplin Fabric in Black

I’ve been on the hunt for 100% cotton poplin fabric for the last several months and I had no clue Fabrics-Store had a whole range sitting pretty on the site. Of course they offer the fabric in a quintessential white color as well as a bevy of gorgeous floral prints; but when I saw the color black, my mind went immediately to a picture of a tiered poplin skirt by Ganni that I stored deep in one of the many overloaded archives of my brain.  And then a light went on – Fabrics-Store also has the perfect pattern for me to dupe an even better handmade version for myself. Ugh, I love sewing so much.

The Julia pattern collection offers up a skirt and a top, each with three different variations. I wanted to channel a bit of magical Stevie Nicks-bohemian-meets-prairie-goth, so I chose to make the longest length of the skirt comprised of three tiers for maximum effect. I think I nailed it.

FS Julia Skirt in FS Cotton Poplin Fabric in Black

I chose my size based off of my hip measurement, so I went with the size 8 and adjusted the elastic length for the waistband to my comfort. The skirt pattern features an easy elastic waistband, optional front patch pockets, and nice topstitching details. It’s also designed with a mid-thigh lining – which is great if you use a fabric that is on the sheer side. In hindsight, I should have omitted the lining when constructing my version because the black poplin ended up appearing more opaque when gathered as opposed to when I first handled the fabric and held it flat up against light. The poplin is beautifully crisp and structured in drape, so even though the lining adds a little heft to the skirt, it still feels cool and lightweight to wear – which is especially important because I’ve recently just moved to the gorgeous (but HOT) Sonoran Desert in Arizona, and I only want to wear swishy, sweeping garments made of natural fabrics that will keep me cool.

FS Julia Skirt in FS Cotton Poplin Fabric in Black

Although an easy and straight-forward sew, the Julia skirt in View D is a fabric hog requiring just about 5 yards and lots of gathering. But SO worth it, you can’t deny all that serious swish factor! I can see my version becoming quite the workhorse in my wardrobe styled with everything from graphic tees for a casual weekend to silk knit twin sets for fancier affairs. As a bonus, I can pull the skirt up over my chest and wear it as dress with a belt…I mean come on! We love versatility. And let’s be honest, the boho tiered maxi skirt is such a season-less classic.