Pattern review: the Sinclair Patterns Lola Skirt

The Sinclair Patterns Lola Skirt is the kind of project that earns its place in a regular wardrobe: comfortable enough for everyday wear, polished enough for leaving the house, and adaptable to the fabric already waiting in your stash. This review looks at the pattern’s fit, instructions, construction and styling potential from the perspective of a home sewist who values useful garments over one-off showpieces.

For Australian sewists, a skirt also has to work across very different conditions. A breathable version can be ideal in Brisbane or Perth, while a heavier knit suits a Melbourne winter with tights and boots. The Lola’s straightforward shape makes it a practical candidate for both, provided the fabric, length and waistband are chosen with the local climate in mind.

The pattern at a glance

The Lola is a casual knit skirt with a clean, wearable silhouette. Its design is simple enough for an approachable make, but the finished garment has more shape than a basic rectangle gathered into elastic. That balance is appealing: the skirt feels relaxed, yet it still looks considered when paired with a tucked-in tee, blouse or cropped cardigan.

Sinclair Patterns are known for offering inclusive sizing and multiple height options, which is particularly useful when ordering from Australia. A pattern drafted with different height ranges can save considerable alteration work, especially for sewists who find standard skirt lengths too long or too short. It is still important to compare your body measurements with the finished garment measurements rather than selecting a size from ready-to-wear habits.

The PDF format is convenient for an international audience. There is no waiting for a paper envelope to cross the sea, and the files can be printed at home or sent to a copy shop. Australian sewists may want to check A0 printing prices locally before buying several large-format files, as the cost can vary between a suburban print shop, a specialist sewing service and a local Spotlight counter.

Fabric choice and wardrobe potential

A stable knit is the safest starting point for the Lola Skirt. Ponte, scuba knit with suitable drape, cotton jersey with good recovery, and medium-weight rayon blends can all produce different but successful results. Ponte gives the skirt a neat, slightly structured appearance, while rayon jersey creates softer movement and a more fluid everyday garment.

Very lightweight jersey may be less forgiving around the waist and hips, particularly if the fabric has poor recovery. A knit with a little substance will usually make construction easier and help the waistband sit smoothly. Before cutting, test the fabric’s stretch and recovery in both directions. This small step can prevent a skirt that grows during wear or feels tighter than expected.

The pattern is also versatile in terms of season. In Australia’s warmer months, a cotton or viscose knit can make a cool skirt for markets, errands and casual office days. For cooler parts of Tasmania or Victoria, a darker ponte version can be worn with tights, ankle boots and a wool jumper. A floral print feels summery, while stripes, animal prints and solid neutrals give the design a more year-round place in the wardrobe.

Fit, sizing and length

The most important fitting decision is choosing the size from body measurements and considering how much ease you prefer. A close-fitting skirt may feel secure in a firm ponte, whereas a softer jersey could require a little more ease for comfortable sitting and walking. Measuring over light clothing gives a more useful result than relying on a favourite pair of jeans.

Length is worth checking before printing or cutting. Many sewists prefer a hem around the knee, but the most flattering and practical point depends on height, proportions and lifestyle. Someone commuting around Sydney may prefer a shorter length with sandals, while a knee or midi variation can be more comfortable for cycling, gardening or chasing children at the park.

Sewing consideration	What to check for the Lola Skirt	Practical result
Fabric stretch	Stretch percentage and recovery	A waistband and skirt that remain comfortable during wear
Size	Body and finished measurements	Less risk of choosing by habit rather than fit
Height	Pattern length and personal preference	A hem that works with your shoes and proportions
Waistband	Stability and pressing behaviour	A smooth finish without rippling
Intended season	Fibre content and fabric weight	A skirt suited to Australian weather

The waistband is where a careful fitting check pays off most. If your waist and hip measurements fall into different sizes, blending gradually between sizes may give a better result than sizing up or down throughout. Make a quick toile from inexpensive knit if you are uncertain, particularly before cutting into a premium fabric purchased from an Australian independent shop.

Construction experience

The Lola is a manageable project for a confident beginner who is ready to work with stretch fabric. The construction is not overloaded with complicated details, so attention can stay on accurate cutting, consistent seam allowances and controlling the knit as it passes through the machine. A ballpoint or stretch needle, a narrow zigzag or stretch stitch, and a walking foot can make the process smoother.

For more advice on matching needles to fabric, this needle guide is a useful companion before starting. The correct needle helps prevent skipped stitches and unnecessary holes in delicate jersey. It is sensible to test the chosen stitch on scraps before sewing the actual skirt, since machines vary considerably in how they handle knit fabrics.

The instructions are best approached in a calm, methodical order. Marking the quarter points around the waistband and skirt helps distribute the fabric evenly, while pressing each seam as you go keeps the garment looking professional. A twin needle or coverstitch can provide a neat hem, but a zigzag finish is perfectly serviceable if that is what your machine handles reliably.

What works especially well

The strongest feature is the pattern’s everyday usefulness. It does not depend on a complicated print, an elaborate trim or a special occasion to justify making it. A black or navy version can become a reliable basic, while a brighter fabric gives the same silhouette a more expressive personality. That flexibility makes the Lola suitable for sewists building a handmade capsule wardrobe.

The design also works well with the realities of Australian fabric shopping. If you find a two-metre remnant at Lincraft, Spotlight or a local independent store, the skirt may be a realistic way to turn it into something wearable rather than leaving it in the stash. Online fabric retailers also make it easier to order technical knits and imported prints, although postage and delivery times can affect the final cost.

A useful detail for Australian makers is the pattern’s digital accessibility. Independent patterns are often purchased internationally, so there is no need to wait for an Australian distributor to carry the design. GST, currency conversion and printing fees should still be included in the budget, especially when comparing a PDF with a paper pattern bought locally.

Styling and final verdict

The Lola Skirt can be dressed up or down without much effort. Wear it with a tucked-in linen shirt and sandals for a warm-weather lunch, or add a fitted knit top, tights and boots when the temperature drops. In Queensland, a lighter rayon knit may be the most comfortable choice in humid weather; in Adelaide or Canberra, a heavier fabric and longer length may earn more wear through the cooler months.

It is also a good pattern for experimenting with colour. A solid skirt highlights the shape and makes outfit planning easy, while a small-scale print can disguise minor fitting marks and bring energy to a simple top. If you prefer a quieter wardrobe, charcoal, olive, rust and denim blue are practical alternatives to black and combine well with common casual staples.

The Sinclair Patterns Lola Skirt is a sensible, repeatable make rather than a one-time sewing challenge. Its approachable construction, adaptable fabric requirements and potential for different lengths make it useful for beginners and experienced sewists alike. For more project ideas and independent pattern reviews, the wider sewing collection brings together practical garments and techniques in the same friendly spirit.