Colette // Mabel Skirt

Pretty pumped to share with you my first completed make of my #2017MakeNine list: a Colette Mabel skirt. Whilst in my initial 2017 Make Nine post, I debated between this pattern and McCall’s 7331 in my stash, sometime ago I got halfway through a test version of M7331 and decided I really wasn’t feeling it. Plus, I realised I could use three of my Seamwork credits to purchase the Mabel skirt so it was like it was already in my stash really (shush!).

Today you’re not getting my face ’cause I’m just not feeling it but that’s not what you come here for anyway. You’re also getting indoor photos as it was raining on Saturday. Boo! Here comes the hand on the hip…

The top I’m wearing here is a Grainline Studio Lark tee with long sleeves and scout neckline in some teal t-shirting from Fabric Land in Bristol. Oh and if anyone is interested, the wedges are from Modcloth, kindly given to me by a friend.

Fabric

As I’d planned, I used this geometric Chevron Ivory Black Fukuro knit (ponte) from Joanns from my stash, which I’d picked up on a work trip to the US and initially used for a Seamwork Mesa dress. It’s very easy to work with and is nice and spongey. I even have a little more left although not sure what else I might make with it. Pattern matching with this fabric is hardly ever required; in fact, no matter how little attention I pay to the pattern matching, it always comes out alright in the end. I wish it was always like that!

The waistband facing is using some black ponte roma jersey from Fabric Land which I used for the Seamwork Margo skirt.

Sizing and cutting

I made Version 1 and cut a size S but lengthened the front and back pattern pieces by ~5″ (~13cm).

Fitting and alterations

For the back skirt pattern piece, I decided to eliminate the back seam and cut this piece on the fold. In addition, after sewing, I brought the side seams at the top of the skirt and the waistband in by ~5/8″ (~1.5cm) as it was gaping a little.

Pattern instructions

All present and correct. This was another fairly simply make and is a good basic.

Finishing

All seams: Overlocked (actually made most of this skirt using the overlocker).
Hems: Twin needle (before I’d broken it sewing Margo)

Verdict

Really love this fabric and you know, I’ve seen people in the UK wearing clothes with this fabric so I wonder whether perhaps American clothes retailers have used it. Also love being able to whip something up quickly on the overlocker. I initially wore the skirt without hemming it as the fabric looked stable at the cut edge but it wasn’t really. A quick hemming solved the problem. When I was ironing the waistband, the heat of the iron seemed to stretch the waistband a little but after a wash, it sprung back. If I make Mabel again (and it is a good basic), it’s still a little lose around the waist, so slips down and makes me want to hike it up. If I reduce it at the waist, so it sits in the right place, I also want to lengthen it some more.

Working on…

Still my Closet Case Patterns Kelly Anorak from my #2017MakeNine list. She’s all underlined and I’ve started on construction: at the weekend I’d sewn my gusset pockets and inserted my first spring snap! Sew exciting!

What are you working on? How’s your #2017MakeNine coming along?

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