DAUGHTER JUDY: the Wren Fleece & Henry Skirt

I’ve had my eye on some Daughter Judy patterns for a while now and when the Henry Skirt pattern was released in April, it was immediately saved into a folder I call ‘Sew This’. The website describes Henry as “a fresh, no-fuss take on the classic wrap skirt – simple and sleek. No zippers, no ties, no drama.” In clothing (and life), ‘no drama’ always wins.

Henry’s design is fantastically simple and exceptionally practical. I’ve made a few wrap skirts but the tube-like aspect of this pattern sets it apart from your usual wrap skirt. You actually step into it, close it with a button on one side of the waist, and then wrap it across to close at the other side with a hook and bar. This means there are no visible closures which makes for a lovely clean finish. This clever but simple design also offers extra coverage and less leg flashing, though there is a front split which allows for both movement and some (but not too much) leg.

After making up a very wearable toile in a linen from the stash, I made the ‘good’ version up in our suiting-weight Nero Gaberdine 100% wool (also available in Navy). This skirt feels like a forever style and I wanted a forever fabric to go with it. It was the perfect choice, and drapes beautifully for this style of skirt.

My second Daughter Judy make was the Wren Fleece. I was lucky enough to pick up a remnant of this (sold out) Felpa Walnut wool/cashmere and that fortuitous score led me to this fortuitous pattern. As it turns out, they’re a match made in the coziest heaven because the fabric is lush, thick, fleecy and bouncy. Stacey at The Crooked Hem put together this very comprehensive blog post showing her Wren Fleeces made up in various fabric weights, and I really loved how the thicker fabric offers more shape and structure.

The style lines and a few details in this pattern are really something special, lifting it up a few notches from your regular sweatshirt while still being every bit as wearable as your regular sweatshirt. I’ve seen a few colour blocked versions over on Instagram and they look SO good.

The giant yoke delivers a lovely curved detail on both front and back. The option is given to topstitch this seam but I chose not to as I was worried it might ripple in this thicker fabric. Favourite thing about this pattern is most definitely the deep box pleats on the sleeve, which very much remind me of the cuff detail on our Demi Pants.

I made up a size small, and I’m not sure if it’s a short-arm thing or an oversized aspect of the pattern, but the sleeves didn’t end up being particularly cropped for me. Either way, I’m not bothered and I find much of the time (I’ve already worn this heaps!) I push the sleeves up anyway. I’ve also found this style works great when worn over a shirt.

Love both of these patterns and they’re already feeling right at home in my wardrobe. I’ve shared a reel over on Instagram and Facebook showing how well both pieces pair with some other pieces I’ve made/own, proving how very wearable and practical they both are, alongside being very straightforward sews. I currently have a third DJ pattern waiting in the wings, and quite possibly a few more after that too.