Getting the Able Sisters clothing store in Animal Crossing: New Horizons takes a bit of time and effort. Here are quick answers to some key questions about unlocking the Able Sisters:
– You first need to build the museum and get Blathers to come to your island. This unlocks the ability to make clothing items.
– After making some clothing, Mabel will visit your island plaza to set up a temporary shop. You need to visit Mabel on 3 separate days.
– On her 3rd visit, Mabel will mention she wants to open a permanent shop. Tell her you want her to set up shop.
– The next day Tom Nook will have you reserve a plot of land for the Able Sisters shop.
– The day after that, the Able Sisters shop will be built and open for business!
Getting Started with Clothing Crafting
The first step to unlocking the Able Sisters shop is crafting clothing items. To do this, you’ll need to first build the museum on your island and have Blathers come set up his fossil, bug, and fish exhibits. This gives you access to making clothing via DIY recipes.
Once the museum is built, check your DIY recipe options at a crafting bench. You should see some new clothing recipes available, like simple DIY workbench items to craft basic tops, bottoms, and hats. Craft a few of these clothing items so you have some inventory ready when Mabel visits.
Who is Mabel?
Mabel is an anthropomorphic hedgehog that runs the Able Sisters clothing shop along with her sister Sable. Mabel is the friendly store owner who engages with customers to sell her handmade clothing designs. Getting Mabel to set up her permanent shop on your island is key to unlocking unlimited clothing options in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Mabel’s Temporary Shop
After you craft some basic clothing items, Mabel will pay a visit to your Animal Crossing island! She runs a small temporary shop in the plaza, selling clothing and giving you the chance to talk to her.
You need to visit Mabel and buy some items from her on 3 separate days. Make sure to chat with her each time to develop your friendship. Mabel’s initial visits happen on random days, so keep checking your plaza daily.
Setting Up Her Permanent Shop
On Mabel’s 3rd visit to your island, she will mention she wants to set up a permanent Able Sisters shop. Make sure to respond positively to encourage her plans. The next day, Tom Nook will come to you asking to reserve a spot for the new shop.
After reserving the shop space, the Able Sisters store will be constructed overnight. Check back the next day, and the clothing shop will be fully built and open for business!
Able Sisters Shop Features
The Able Sisters shop unlock gives you access to so many great features for customizing your character’s look:
- Purchase ready-made clothing and accessory items
- Buy fabric, materials, and customization kits
- Craft clothing DIY recipes
- Use the Fitting Room to try on clothes
- Display custom clothing designs
- Download clothing designs at the Able Sisters kiosk
The Able Sisters shop also includes unlimited, rotating stock. This means there will always be new items to check out and purchase each day.
Ready-Made Clothing
The main area of the Able Sisters shop lets you browse and buy ready-made clothing items. There are tops, bottoms, dresses, headwear, socks, shoes, bags, and more. You can try on the clothing before purchasing.
The stock rotates daily, with around 6 new items for sale. So check back often if you don’t see something you like right away.
Crafting Materials
In the back corner of the shop you can purchase crafting materials like fabric, thread, and customization kits. Use these to craft clothing recipes or customize purchased items with different colors and textures.
Fitting Room
The Able Sisters fitting room lets you try on clothes before buying them. Head to the back right corner of the store and walk into the change room. You can take stored clothing items in and out of storage to preview different looks.
Custom Designs
You can also display and share your own custom clothing designs in the Able Sisters shop. Use the back right kiosk in the store to upload your patterns. Other players can then view and download your designs!
Daily Visitors
In addition to the main hedgehog shop owners, the Able Sisters shop gets daily visitor animals that you can interact with. Some visitors like Label will even give you fashion challenges to complete in exchange for rewards.
Tips for Using the Able Sisters Shop
Here are some handy tips to get the most out of the Able Sisters store:
- Check the shop daily for new items
- Buy multiples if you really like an item
- Talk to Sable each day to develop your friendship
- Purchase fabric and customization kits to make crafted clothes your own
- Display your custom designs for others to wear
- Visit other players’ islands to get new design ideas
- Equip outfits you like onto clothing stands to save for later
Purchase Daily Stock
The Able Sisters shop gets new items in stock each day. Check back daily to see clothing, headwear, accessories, shoes, and bags that weren’t available the previous day.
If you really love a particular item, buy multiple colors so you can wear it often. Dresses, coats, and headwear are especially good to buy multiples of.
Befriend Sable
Talk to Sable the hedgehog at the sewing machine each day to slowly build up your friendship with her. Over time she will warm up and even give you special custom clothing designs!
Use Customization Options
The shop sells customization kits you can use to change the colors and textures of clothing items. This lets you put your own spin on existing pieces. They also sell fabric that is used to craft clothing DIY recipes.
Display Custom Designs
At the back kiosk, you can upload your own custom clothing designs for other players to download. This lets you share your creativity and get recognized by the community!
Clothing Transfer Features
The Able Sisters shop makes it easy to transfer clothing between your storage, pockets, and display mannequins:
- Store clothing by hanging it on the wall
- Retrieve clothing from storage by interacting with the hung item
- Display clothing on mannequins and retrieve it back later
- Change your character’s outfit in the Fitting Room
Clothing Storage
You can store extra clothing items by hanging them on the wall inside the Able Sisters shop. Just walk up and select the option to hang the clothing. To retrieve it later, interact with the hung clothing again.
Mannequin Display
The multi-colored mannequins let you display a full outfit combination. You can equip clothes onto a mannequin and retrieve them later by interacting with the dressed mannequin.
Fitting Room
Inside the Fitting Room change booth, you can freely swap out the clothing your character is wearing. Put items on and take them off to mix and match different looks.
| Mabel Visits | Unlocks |
|---|---|
| First visit | Can buy from Mabel |
| Second visit | Mabel mentions opening shop |
| Third visit | Can suggest permanent shop |
This table summarizes what each of Mabel’s visits unlocks in terms of progressing to getting the Able Sisters shop:
Conclusion
Unlocking the full Able Sisters clothing shop takes time and dedication. But it provides so many great features for customizing your look and expressing your style. Check in with Mabel whenever she visits to purchase her unique items. And work towards getting that permanent store built on your island!
