Sorry, I’m so wrapped up against the cold, (four layers and counting), that I’ve almost totally obscured the actual skirt in the first image above. We haven’t gone much above 2 degrees for about a week now and apparently it’s hanging around for a while longer yet…
This is the third Colette Mabel I’ve run up now. See here and here for the first two, but the first using my overlocker. A pattern that was simple and that I was already familiar with seemed the obvious first choice 🙂 And do you know I’m now officially one of those people who can say I ran this up in under an hour?! Woo woo! Well, excluding the cutting out. I know that generally I’m trying to slow down with my sewing projects, but sometimes you just need a quick fix, and this was mine.
This is a really simple skirt to run up. Excluding the reinforced stitching along the top of the back vent and the hem, I managed to complete it all on my overlocker 🙂 You can probably do these bits too if you’re prepared to switch needles or threads etc, but this was enough for me for now. And I didn’t want my sewing machine to feel too neglected…
I bought the material from Leon’s in Chorlton. It’s a very fine, dark grey stripe, which was a step up from my cheap, scarf fabric, but not too much so, just in case. As before I cut a size S and added an extra inch or so to the length. The slicing action of the blade was a little nerve-racking to begin with, but the professional look it gives your innards (which I’m attempting to show above) is really satisfying. My machine doesn’t have a ruler guide as my sewing machine has (and the overlocker I used on my course), so I will have to be careful of this on future makes.
I was interested to read Zoe’s review of this pattern, where she questioned the purpose of the back vent in a stretch skirt. My previous two did lie pretty flat once pressed, but this one (presumably because it’s a slightly thicker fabric) proved trickier. Next time, as Zoe recommends I might omit this vent totally.
And here’s one I made earlier, and have now fixed with the addition of a zip! Much more practical to get on and off… Thanks, as ever, for the great advice 🙂
navybluethreads 
Omg. Genius! I still pat myself on the back each time I thread my serger. Haven’t done a project. I now have an inkling. Thanks!!
Thank you! It’s a pretty dull skirt, but one that I know will get loads of use 🙂
Wow you’ve got the overlocker bug haven’t you! It looks nice and smart and professional! Think of how many you could knock up in a weekend!!
I know! It’s a super useful and easy to wear pattern too. I’m surprised you haven’t been tempted by it yourself, think it would really suit you 🙂
Don’t make me buy any patterns!!!
I know that feeling 😉
It’s great to see you making progress with your overlocker! You can’t beat the professional finish it gives to the seams can you? And the fact you can sew the seam and finish the edge in one step:)
I love that about it! The finish really is impressive for something so simple 🙂
Ssh, don’t tell anyone – they won’t be as impressed!
🙂
So glad that you have caught the overlocker bug! My sewing machine is still being fixed and I am feeling quite anxious about not being able to sew. I completely forgot that you can make a garment with just the overlocker! Why this didn’t dawn on me before? Thanks for reminding me, I’ll be back to sewing again tonight – hooray!! 🙂
I’ve been thinking my machine might need a service in the coming months, so this has gone through my head too. I might be willing to part with it now, for a short while at least… 😉
Woo hoo a skirt in under an hour and all overlocked, go you! Its a bit hard to see under the layers, but what I can see looks good.
I should have shed a few layers for the photos sorry, but I’ve been really feeling the cold of late! Definitely ready for Spring now…
That looks really great and one of those items that could be worn to bits for work (in a British winter anyway!). Yet again, I’m inspired by you to investigate the Mabel myself. Can I ask, did you use a twin needle for the hem? I’ve just had my first experience with one (largely positive) so interested to know what others think?
Hi! It’s not the most exciting looking skirt, but one that I know I’ll wear loads 🙂 I don’t have a twin needle, just a ‘stretch’ one, but I’m thinking of getting one soon. I can see a few more of these skirts in my wardrobe, before Winter’s out…
Woooo! Looks great! 💝
Thank you! So pleased with my new toy 🙂
Brilliant!! So nice to have made something entirely with your overlocker, and with black thread too! x
Everything could be in dark colours for a while… 😉
Want to swap?! I’m running out of ideas for white 🙂
Now that would be perfect 😉
Hooray for a skirt made on your overlocker! It looks like a great basic. I’m sure you’ll be hooked on using your new machine in no time!
Think I already am Teri!
A skirt in an hour, perfect and it looks great.
I’ve got an old overlocker and so I have used a Sharpie to mark the 6mm and 15mm marks on my overlocker, a bit drastic but I know where my seams should be sitting.
Just thinking about that, you could always use sticky tape and then draw on that.
Great tip, thank you! Will take a lock over the weekend. I could definitely do with some kind of guide…
That’s an idea. Really not sure how accurate I’m going to be otherwise!
Great skirt – I just got an overlocker for christmas as well – I love it now after initially being terrified of using it! I did the same as you and started with a basic pattern that I already knew – a loose sweatshirt and did everything except hems in a few hours – its like magic!
Louise
Thank you! I’d be interested to hear what sweatshirt pattern you used. I’ve only used the Coco so far (on my machine), must have a go at one on my favourite new toy 🙂
I made a Grainline Hemlock and a Dixie DIY Hot Cocoa – both are free and very straightforward. I found it easier to do the neck band first on the sewing machine as I am not confident enough on the overlocker yet to sew while stretching out the neckband!
Louise
Thank you! I’ve never used ribbing before, but will take a look 🙂
Looks great, and a nice neat save on the one with the zip! After seeing your lovely professional finish I’m definitely considering an overlocker soon!!
Thank you! You wouldn’t believe how excited I get using mine, would definitely recommend getting one 🙂
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