Howdy everyone!
I'm wanting to make myself some ankle length skirts for this winter and I'm in need of advice!
Firstly, I'm looking for a pattern that will result in something fits me and gives me room to do what I need to do. I'm one of those crazy homesteading people, so I need a skirt that is full enough to let me squat down, climb over fences, run to catch rogue sheep, and suchlike. I've been living in a dozen or so simple elastic waist cotton skirts that I made a couple of years ago, but I'm moving to a cooler area (that actually has snow!) and I'm thinking I'll need skirts in heavier fabric - maybe denim, corduroy, wool, etc. I'm also thinking that these heavier fabrics won't lend themselves to the good old elastic waist that I'm used to.  I've got a 36" waist and 48" hips with a lower belly pooch, so something that doesn't draw too much attention to that would be nice! I don't know what kind of pattern would best fit with what I have in mind. Something simple and full, with pockets if possible, would be ideal! If anyone knows of any good patterns, please share!
I'm also wondering about what fabrics to use. I would really like to make at least one wool skirt, so what would work there - maybe a suiting type fabric? What weight of denim might work well? I've mostly fiddled around with plain old cotton fabric in my limited sewing adventures, so I really have no clue what would work well/best for what I'm wanting to do!
As for the "underlayers", I'm wanting to try my hand at making some petticoats, which I know I can wing, and ... well, I'm not sure what you'd call them. Maybe pseudo-bloomers? I have a vision of something like knee-ish-length pants in flannel to wear under my skirts to keep me warm from my waist down to the tops of my leg warmers (I'm outside a lot and freeze solid quite quickly in cold weather, so I'm a firm believer in lots of layers!). I was thinking of trying to find a pattern for, say, pajama pants and just shorten the legs. I'm pretty sure I could sew together some rectangles and get something serviceable, but if anyone knows of a pattern that might be suitable, even better!
I'd really, really appreciate any advice that you all can offer! Thanks!