Ms. Coco Moneypenny

Got a bit of sewing mojo back this week and tackled the Centre for Pattern Design's CC inspired fold skirt.

And I quote:
Once upon a time a former student brought her aunt's unforgettable skirt to class, done by a famous Parisian designer.  I had to try it -- and here it is.  This skirt is deceptively simple, using a single pattern piece with no visible vertical seams.  It closes with two bias sashes that tie in the back, creating a single front fold with a hidden zipper on the right under the fold.  The skirt is cut on the straight with a contour facing at the back waist.  Sizes 8 - 18.  

One piece pattern with a single seam! How do they do it? OK, you have to insert a zip and sew up a few darts but heck! One seam, a zip and a hem?

The fabric is a woven wool with all sorts of colours in there: green, yellow, purple, navy. Although slightly stiff it takes a good pressing to produce an excellent crease.
It looks better close up but from a distance is a rather mucky air force blue.

The fold looks like a wrap but it's not. The front has a beautiful V shape that draws the eye downwards and away from the waist. The fold also allows for ease of movement without you being concerned about what's showing when you walk.


While I love the ties, I made this particular skirt for everyday wear and choose to cut the ties short to fit just around my waist and hence, turned them into a waistband with a three button closure.

The waistband it high, but I like that as it seems to hold more of the wobbly bits in check. As my fabric was rather robust it didn't gather as in the pattern image but another softer fabric would produce that effect.









The waistband is still unconnected to the skirt and acts like the original ties but with buttons instead.

An everyday skirt with a touch of unusual. I do feel rather prim and proper wearing it, especially with a white cotton shirt and this just may my ticket to efficiency in the administration section of my job, in which I am currently lacking terribly. I hate paperwork! 

Now there's a idea - wear clothes to make you better in your job! Do any of you have any evidence?

I had this pattern cut in a previous fabric around Christmas time but realised soon enough that the colour was not for me and put it up for a giveaway as a skirt kit. Super-sewer, Janice from Scotland bagged the kit and made it up with the scant instructions that I provided. Her finished article is a  fabulous skirt; sparkly silver tweed with silver satin waist ties. I now wish this colour would look good on me. Regardless - Janice looks fab and made an excellent job. I hope she is as pleased with her results as I am.

You can see how the satin ties gather and pleat on Janice's version and it looks wonderful with just black.

In my humble version I lined the whole thing - surprise surprise - and had to resort to hand sewing to secure the lining along the one and only seam

Do not be seduced by the one piece, one seam thing thinking this is a quick make - take your time - it is not a straightforward sewing experience. I often mistake lack of pattern pieces with a quick sew. This pattern requires thought, figuring out - especially the waistband and it pays to carefully consider and plan before ploughing headlong to the machine. I had to elongate the seams for better fit and of course the hand sewing added a few extra hours. But it's worth it.

I'm planning a few more of these for S/S in cottons and lighter weight fabrics.

Saturday morning is information day for prospective students who want to come to college in September 2013. I planning on wearing this skirt, my glasses propped on my nose and a scowl on my face. Anyone who signs up for my course has passed the first recruitment phase!
(Oh, I might put a blouse on too!)