Resistance is Futile

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The Chanel Fall 2010 collection has invaded my brain and refused to leave. The second I saw it, I knew that my life would not be complete until I own a fake fur miniskirt. Somehow, the ideal fur mini emerged in my mind in a dark green color.

Dark green fake fur is oddly difficult to find. I checked 2 New York fabric shops unsuccessfully, then I found some at Mood, the third place I looked. So, when you are looking for dark green fake fur (and who isn’t?), make your life easier and head straight to Mood.

I noticed a similar garment in the window of the Max Mara store. It had ribbon up the side seams, which makes a lot of sense from a construction standpoint, so I copied that feature. With the ribbon covering the seam, I could hand stitch an abutted seam, then cover it with the ribbon, thus eliminating the bulk of seam allowances. Instead of ribbon, I used strips of fabric left over from this dress.

The fake fur seemed like it would be a nightmare in my sewing machine, so I hand-sewed the side seams and the darts. I machine sewed the grosgrain to the waistband and the ribbon on the side seams. I did not hem it at all. I was considering hand overcasting the lower edge, but I really do not think it is necessary. If I change my mind about that, I may hand overcast the lower edge in the future.

All of the photos in this post are lightened considerably to show the detail.

side seam detail

Inside side seam with lining pushed aside. You can see I hand-stitched an abutted seam, then machine stitched the trim over.

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12 Comments

  1. Posted September 10, 2010 at 9:26 am | Permalink | Reply

    Ohmy! This is amazing! I guess now I know what you were looking for the fur for when we were in NYC.

  2. Posted September 10, 2010 at 11:17 am | Permalink | Reply

    wow! Love it. On you. I’m afraid my extra curves would make that skirt look fat or me. But I love this skirt on you. clever construction techniques!

  3. Posted September 10, 2010 at 11:58 am | Permalink | Reply

    So fun! And you have the figure to wear it. Great idea to use the ribbom trim over abutted seams

  4. Posted September 10, 2010 at 12:21 pm | Permalink | Reply

    Absolutely adorable. The green is awesome, too.
    I love it with the belt and belt loops.
    So unexpected!
    A real delight.

  5. Posted September 10, 2010 at 4:17 pm | Permalink | Reply

    Wow, what a fun piece! Ready for Fall.

  6. Posted September 11, 2010 at 9:07 am | Permalink | Reply

    How wonderful to find the right fabric. Adorable skirt.

  7. Kathryn(fzxdoc)
    Posted September 12, 2010 at 11:27 am | Permalink | Reply

    Very cute indeed, Claudine. Now that you’ve inspired me, I’m digging out my faux leopard mini that I made a few years back.

  8. Posted September 17, 2010 at 9:25 am | Permalink | Reply

    Claudine, I think you are the only person I know who could make a green fur miniskirt look both graceful and appropriate. Truly you are a wonder. Thanks for the construction details also. I am confident that I will never make a fake fur miniskirt, but I may make something, one day, and then I will remember this.

  9. Posted September 18, 2010 at 9:15 am | Permalink | Reply

    What a fun skirt and how wonderful it looks on you.

  10. Sue Whelan
    Posted September 18, 2010 at 4:29 pm | Permalink | Reply

    Faux fur minis were all the rage when I was about eighteen, c.1968. In fact, I was wearing the leopard print one I’d made when I met my husband. Your version is even more chic with the belt and ribbon-covered seams. Like the Beatles, it’s become a clasic 🙂

  11. Janis
    Posted September 21, 2010 at 3:14 pm | Permalink | Reply

    Claudine, you’ve done it again! What a beautiful skirt. Stunning.

  12. Posted September 25, 2010 at 1:22 am | Permalink | Reply

    This is so gorgeous! Faux fur skirt, such a fun idea! I wonder if I could get away with it, hmmm maybe?
    Thankyou for your lovely birthday wishes!

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