It's one of my favourite times...sharing tester makes for our latest release!
You can check out the launch blog post for Ella with all the details here, and buy the pattern here! (Use our launch week code HELLO_ELLA for 20% off).
We always get incredible testers, and this time was no exception. During testing, I allow testers to make small changes to their makes so they can personalise it to their preferences (after all, isn't that the best part about sewing?). Of course, I make sure that they don't do anything drastic, or it wouldn't be a very good pattern test! It is often a great way to get even more inspiration for the versatility of the pattern, and ideas for hacks. If the testers in these pictures have made any alterations to the style, I will point them out. I hope it inspires you for the potential of this pattern! Enjoy looking at all the lovely pictures of their makes!
Renee made hers in a thrifted cotton. She very cleverly used an existing rolled hem on the fabric to use as the finished edge of her ruffle. A nifty time saver, and it looks great too! She made the mid-length view with rounded patch pocket.
Anne made hers up in a mid-weight linen. She made the pockets 3cm larger in width and height, which suits the long view quite nicely!
Cassandra made her knee-length Ella in a lightweight crepe and used the in-seam pockets. Perfect for twirling! 
Chui made hers in the longest length in a cotton batik print, and did some clever planning with her print placement! She shortened the bottom tier by one inch to make it fit perfectly with her print. I love it paired with a simple top like this!
Dana made a gorgeously cozy Ella in flannel. Perfect for transitioning into colder seasons! I love how she's styled it with a turtleneck and boots.
Debra made a fun skirt in banana print silk satin! She also did something clever: she cut a smaller size in the skirt to reduce the level of gathers in the skirt. This give a slimmer fit to the silhouette. A few testers experimented with this, and I have even included it as a tip in the booklet! 
Elisa made hers in a synthetic twill, and styled it in the perfect Autumnal vibe.
Eliza used a cotton sateen fabric. I love to see people enjoying the in-seam pockets!
Johanna went with the knee-length option, and picked a gorgeous shade of rusty orange for her skirt.
Gemma made hers in a lightweight viscose in the knee length. Love it styled with a casual jacket (and a great sewing space too).
Anjori made hers in a lightweight remnant, and she styled it a few different ways too! 
She chose to go with a contrast waistband, and also added piping to the ruffle seam, which looks beautiful and ties it all together. She also added a bit of height to the waistband so it was 5cm (2") high finished. Here she tied it in with a top in the same fabric for a faux-dress effect.
She also did the trick of sizing down in the skirt to decrease the amount of gathers at the waist. It looks great on her!
I love this nostalgic styling from Jessie!
Jo is always so much fun (and I love her Instagram captions too)! She made a few mods to her gingham masterpiece. She made the knee length, and added 1.5" length to the gathered tier. Not to mention the addition of chunky ric-rac, and added gathered embellishments around the edges of the pockets!
Kathryn is currently pregnant, so used some clever modifications to her Ella skirt, by cutting a larger waistband and adding elastic, for a fit that can change with her needs. I definitely think an elastic tutorial is in order, as I think that will be quite a popular pattern hack!
I am also loving that she cut her pockets on the bias, for an extra visual detail. I think ginghams and plaids are a perfect fit for this design, so bring on those fun bias details!
Katie made hers in a fresh, white cotton. She lengthened the ruffle tier by 5cm (2"). It looks gorgeous with simple clean styling!
Kiera made the long length view, with no modifications, in a stretch cotton. I'm in love with this dreamy photo!
Ana used a lovely drapey, soft rayon for hers. She made the longest view, but took some length out since she is shorter than average. I think she nailed the proportion for herself!
Koelyn has tested before and I enjoy her lovely photos so much! I love her version in drapey fabric, with in-seam pockets.
Nastasia made the shortest version in a lightweight viscose challis that moves beautifully. She wore a slip with it, rather than lining it. Simply gorgeous styling!
Nicole accessorised her Ella perfectly with a bum-bag (I think Americans call this a fanny-pack?), hah! She said she loved the swish factor and this is the perfect fabric for it, a slippery rayon.
Veronique used an interesting scuba suede fabric. I love the volume it gives the ruffled tier. And the outfit is just gorgeously bohemian!
Wendy made a long skirt! The print on this version is so lovely, and looks great with a simple top.
I love this short one from Wendy. She is petite, so shortened through both the skirt, and the ruffled tier (1.3cm/ 1/2" through the skirt, and 7.5cm / 3" through the tier). The slightly shorter tier works well with the short skirt too!
Boon Kuan is a wonderful tester to have on board. She made two different versions, each with their own special features! For both her skirts, she used the trick of cutting one size down in the skirt pieces, to reduce the fullness of the gathers slightly.
Her blue skirt was made with no other modifications, and she used the rounded patch pockets. Again, with the crisp, simple styling, it's perfect for warm weather!
For her next version (made in rayon), she made the shortest view, but she lengthened the bottom tier 2.5cm (1"). Then, she also preserved a bit of extra length by hemming the tier with a rolled hem, instead of the standard double-folded hem. Doing that in a contrast black thread was so clever. It looks great! She also added some height to the waistband, which is a nice easy alteration to do.
And that's the round-up! I hope you have enjoyed all the inspiration and insights into the little ways you can make it your own. Our testers stun me every time with their beautiful makes and the exciting ways they style them. I hope this has inspired you and shown you how trans-seasonal the design can be! From wintery flannels, to summery rayons, and everything in between.
As always, huge thanks to the testers, and all the feedback they gave along the way. There were so many great things that I incorporated into the final product, and I'm truly to excited to share this design with everyone.
And of course, thank you to all the customers that have supported Forget-me-not. Remember, you can get 20% off Ella for launch week, using the code HELLO_ELLA at checkout (click here to buy the pattern). This one is a really fun, versatile skirt to sew, and I can't wait to see what you all make!
