Pattern: Colette Patterns Ginger
Fabric: Birch Organic Fabrics “Commute” (Coral Ride colorway), purchased at Gather Here
Size: 6
Shirt: Alternative Apparel
Necklace: gift
Three words: Love. This. Skirt.
I woke up on a rainy Saturday morning thinking about a bicycle print skirt. For reals. I don’t know if it had anything to do with my yearning for a bicycle print poly chiffon I saw at Mood back in May that I wish I bought (how darling of a blouse would that be?!) but damn it, I wanted a bicycle skirt. So I grabbed my rain coat and boots and headed over to Gather Here, local purveyor of all things awesome and most likely to have bicycle print fabric. And I was right! Plus, Virginia carries all sorts of awesome pattern lines like Sewaholic, Sew Liberated, and Colette, so I picked up a couple of patterns as well.
This is my first Colette pattern that I’ve made and let me tell you: I’m hooked. At first glance, $16 seemed steep for a basic skirt pattern (especially since I’m so used to the $1.99 sales at Joann Fabrics), but after opening the envelope and examining the cutting and sewing instructions and design suggestions, it’s clear that a lot of the thought was put into the writing and design of this pattern. There’s a lot to be said for clearly written sewing instructions, especially if a pattern like this is your first venture into sewing.
This is essentially a 3-in-1 pattern: three different looking skirts, each with waistband variations or a bias skirt. I picked option 3 with the straight waistband instead of a curved one. This is a high-waisted skirt too, which I love, and looks great with either my shirt tucked in or worn out. The fit is spot on and true to the measurements on the pattern envelope.
Don’t ask me how I did it, but I managed to get the bicycles lined up going from the skirt into the waistband! Not so much though when it came to the center front seam. I followed the cutting instructions for lining up stripes but it didn’t work out so well when I assembled the skirt fronts and backs – this was my first venture into sewing with, what I didn’t realize until I got home, a striped fabric. But I was so bowled over with the waistband alignment!
The design tips were a nice addition and gave me the idea to look through my stash for some white piping I knew I had on hand. The invisible zipper is unfortunately grey instead of white (all I had available) but since I don’t see it when I’m wearing it, I forget about it. Out of sight, out of mind!
I can tell this is going to be a new favorite pattern of mine that won’t be made just once and then filed away. A-line skirts are my favorite kind of skirt and this pattern is such a great wardrobe staple that can be modified and adapted for a multitude of looks depending on the fabric and other design elements like pockets, buttons, trims, etc. This one is a keeper and well worth the money spent! I can’t wait to try the Jasmine blouse pattern I picked up as well.
Have you made any Colette patterns? Which is your favorite?
Really nice skirt!
That is a super cute skirt. I've been thinking about doing more sewing, so it is good to see reviews on some of the more expensive, cute patterns.
Definitely spring the extra bucks for Colette Patterns, they're worth so much more than the big 3 when it comes to written instructions
Thanks for the pattern review – I'm starting on my first (of many, I'm sure) Ginger this week and now I'm doubly inspired to get started. Love the bicycles too!
Thanks! Colette patterns are totally worth it IMO 😉
I love the fabric, and the fit is fantastic!
So cute! You did a great job.
Thank you so much! I wish I got that fabric back in May but this skirt will have to sub for it 😉
Super cute! I love that fabric line, but it never occurred to me to use it for a garment… uh oh, now I might need a bicycle skirt too!
I'm always hesitant to use quiilting cotton for garments because of the wrinkle factor. However, there's so many lines out there now with cute prints that it's hard to resist using them!
Holy moly – love this skirt! And I keep hearing about how great Collette patterns are. I have to get this pattern!
This skirt will be a staple in your pattern collection for sure! Believe everything you've heard about Colette Patterns 🙂
Wow. I love the Ginger you made. The fabric is great. Good job!
Found your pic when I was randomly looking for images of this pattern that I just picked up. Your skirt is so cute! Now I really can't wait! I love Virginia at Gather Here, too; how funny that your pic was the first one to come up in my search. I stopped at Grey's in the South End — have you been there? Smaller, but also cute shop and very friendly.
I'm just about to make this pattern which I have traced from my daughter's stash. I used to work in the clothing industry and I used to cut out sample patterns for a job. You should not have worried too much about the bicycles on the fabric as it is a fairly busy pattern. The rule about busy fabrics is that you can go upside down, right side up and it is still acceptable to not match perfectly. Matching checks and stripes and borders is quite different of course.