Here are my first sketches for my Skirt Skills class with Brooks Ann Camper. I did a yoke for each waistline because my tummy hurts often enough that I want a friendly waist for it. I also sketched with real shirts I actually have, tucked in, since I often do tuck in. (Usually with a French tuck, thanks Tan France!) My plan for my skirt is to make something lightweight that I can wear to my job as an elementary school librarian early in the school year, then transition to fall and winter with leggings. Each sketch includes a pattern inspired by fabric available from Spoonflower and a bookish graphic tee that I actually wear to work.

Brooks Ann has a great way to create a custom croquis to draw clothing designs on your own body, which is how I got these sketches that actually look like me.

Sketch 1: Pencil skirt A sketch of a clothing design with a pencil skirt

The pattern inspiration for this skirt is Stack of Books by Kassi Simpson and the shirt is It’s Me Hi I’m the Librarian by Yaquetees.

A swatch of fabric printed with stacks of books A black t-shirt that reads 'It's Me Hi I'm the Librarian It's Me'

Sketch 2: A-line skirt A sketch of a clothing design with an A-line skirt

The pattern inspiration for this skirt is Red Crimson Pink Blush Roses by Elda & Oak Design Studio and the shirt is the Book Nerd Floral Unisex T-shirt by Out of Print.

A swatch of fabric printed with red and pink roses on a black background A t-shirt with the text 'Book Nerd' surrounded by illustrations of flowers

Sketch 3: Tulip skirt

A sketch of a clothing design with a tulip skirt

The pattern inspiration for this skirt is Pumpkin King Stripe by Disneybound Dresses and the shirt is the What’s More Punk? t-shirt from the Mt. Pleasant (VA) Library Friends.

A swatch of fabric printed with wobbly white pinstripes on a black background A t-shirt with the text 'What's More Punk Than The Public Library?'

Drawing these was super fun and has really inspired me. I’m beginning to understand and imagine so many possibilities for designing my own clothes, especially for cosplay.