Seamwork Orla Review: Sew A Stylish Wool Skirt for Fall & Winter

Sometimes the best sewing projects happen when plans change. Jenni had originally pulled out some plaid fabric to try the Seamwork Orla Skirt*, but she didn’t have enough yardage. A quick peek in Whitney’s stash turned up a gorgeous ocean-blue wool coating, and suddenly the project took on new life. It wasn’t the fabric she planned, but it ended up being the perfect choice for a foundational piece in her fall-to-winter wardrobe. Read on or watch here:

The Orla Skirt* is a classic A-line princess seam skirt with inseam pockets with buttons, and a full lining. While the original design is drafted as a mini skirt, Seamwork members* can access the expansion pack with multiple length options. Jenni went with the longer view, and she’s so glad she did—it feels timeless and versatile.

Sewing the Skirt with a Little Help

This skirt calls for fabrics like cotton twill, denim, corduroy, brushed cotton, linen blends, or lightweight suiting. Jenni went off-script and used a wool coating, which is definitely heavier than recommended, but she was determined to make it work.

Luckily, she had help. Jenni’s mom was visiting, and they tag-teamed the entire project in about five hours (with of breaks for dinner and seam unpicking). Jenni pinned, pressed, and handed things over, while her mom did most of the stitching. Together, they knocked out:

• A fully lined skirt
• Inseam buttoned pockets
• An invisible zipper
• Crisp seams and clean finishes

It truly felt like a team effort, and Jenni loves that this skirt now holds a little memory of sewing with her mom.

The Finishing Touch: Perfect Buttons

The last piece of the puzzle was finding buttons for the pockets. Jenni didn’t have any in her stash that worked, so she headed to The French Seam in Indianapolis, a fantastic local shop with an incredible button selection. After sorting through at least six or seven options, she found a set that matched perfectly. They elevate the look and tie everything together beautifully.

Styling the Orla Skirt

The ocean-blue wool makes this skirt a true anchor piece in Jenni’s wardrobe. The color is one of her Moonlit Summer colors and it pairs seamlessly with so many of her tops and layers. For fall, she’s already styled it with a denim shirt and cowboy boots (her favorite look so far!), but she’s also planning on:

• Wearing it with tights and a cozy sweater for chilly mornings
• Pairing it with tall boots for dinners out
• Styling it with a blazer for a polished holiday outfit
• Layering it for warmth through the dark winter months

This skirt is going to carry her from crisp fall mornings straight into the holiday season—and beyond.

Try the Seamwork Orla Skirt

If you’re a Seamwork member, you can grab the Orla Skirt pattern along with the expansion pack for skirt lengths. Not a member yet? You can sign up through TomKat Stitchery’s resources page and get 50% off a Seamwork membership—which includes access to this pattern, the length expansion, and tons of other perks.

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