Yellow & Green Collection Piece #5: NewLook 6544 Ankara Pencil Skirt

This post is long over due and I know – this collection has gone on forever but we are literally at the end of it. This skirt is one of the last two pieces in the collection that I will share before I recap my experience making a collection. I took a minute to actually share this because life and a tablespoon of procrastination (okay – maybe a cup full *nervous laugh*) but we are here! Right?! So let’s dive into this skirt, shall we?

Last year I finally cut into this awesome green ankara wax fabric that I’ve had in my stash for over a year. My friend Neneh purchased it for me on her last trip to Sierra Leone, West Africa and I knew immediately when I saw it that I wanted to make a pencil skirt. I never owned an ankara pencil skirt and after seeing a skirt with a similar print on pinterest I felt it was meant to be.

For my pattern, I used NewLook 6544. It was actually my first time inserting a zipper into a garment and sewing a vent. I am always a bit nervous when it comes to making fitted garments with non-stretch fabric because I never want to feel uncomfortable or restricted in any way when I sit down or move. Definitely need to do away with that fear because I absolutely love fitted silhouettes and dresses that accentuate my curves so this project was necessary.

The pattern was simple to put together with simple and clear instructions to install the zipper and create the vent. I decided to line this skirt and hand sew the hem and the lining to the vent with a blind hem. For my first time, I felt like I did a good job, but there are some parts of the hem where my blind hem was a bit wonky so I plan on going in to fix it. I also wished I made a muslin of this skirt first to get a better fit. I think there is a bit too much fabric in the front by my darts so I do want to take it apart and fix it. Plus, the lining I chose is a bit too slippery, causing the skirt to rise up by my hips which I don’t care for too much so I will probably change that too.

All in all, I love this skirt. It looks so good dressed up or down. It is comfortable when I sit which is a plus and it goes so well with my new DIY tassel clutch. I have ideas for skirt patterns in the future (especially more ankara ones) so I want to make a muslin of this skirt and perfect the fit to create a skirt block or a go-to skirt pattern for upcoming makes.

My last and final make for the Yellow & Green Collection is complete (the yellow top shown above) and it pairs so well with this skirt. I can’t wait to share more on this and how one of my most liked garments on Instagram almost didn’t become a reality. I’ll also be sharing in a seperate post about my experience of creating my first collection and if it is something I would do again so stay tuned for that. Until next time, loves!

Love,

Christine