Sunday, March 27, 2011

Repurposing a Beloved Skirt

Then I made a sweet little headband to match it.
The finished product!  I attached the ruffle to the bottom, again a two inch x the circumference, of the skirt+2/3-3/4 of the circumference measurement, depending on how fully you want it gathered.  Mine was about 60inches.
I then made two roses, each from a strip of a fabric 1 inch x 12 inches.  I rolled them and stitched them as I went and sewed them on.
To further embellish the skirt, I gathered a 1 1/2 inch x 12 inch piece of netting and sewed that to the middle, front of the top ruffle.
I pulled the bobbin threads up and fitted and pinned the ruffle to the skirt, and used a zigzag stitch to attach the ruffle.
For the ruffle, I cut a two inch strip the measurement of the skirt around, plus about 3/4 of that length added.  Mine was 45 inches long. I set my sewing machine to a long basting stitch, and stitched up the middle of the ruffle to gather it.
Jean Skirt After I had applied one ruffle.   I should have taken a picture of the skirt with nothing on it; But it didn't occur to me to use it for a blog project until I got this far.  You can see the diagonal seam remaining, the top one was the same, and they continue around the back too.     
Simplicity #2238
You will have to look at the pictures from the bottom up, because I cannot get my picture to reverse the order in my posts.  I have tried and I have given up.  This is a skirt my eleven year old granddaughter brought to me.  She asked me if I could add a little something to the bottom to make it a little longer, because it still fit around, but it was a little too short.  It's one of her favorites, so I thought I would try.  Yellow is her very favorite color, so, being that I can't just do one thing to anything, I proceeded to update and embellish it a bit!  If You would like to do this to a skirt of your own, and it didn't already have diagonal seams, You could just mark and draw some guides onto it for your self and create the same look.  I have a picture above of a darling pattern I picked up at the store last week.  I think the little top, pants, dress and skirt are decorated cute on the pattern, but you could also easily disregard the patterns embellishments and add some of your own creativity.  I also made her a little headband to match, she has very long, straight hair, so it should look really cute.  I may be able to talk her into modeling it all for me, and let me take some pictures, but she is pretty camera shy.  If I get one, I will post it.  Wish me luck!

9 comments:

  1. Yeah for ruffles! I love repurposing, since I was small and my Mom took a favorite sweater of mine that had gotten to small and made me a pillow (I still have it)

    Thanks for following me and visiting me at barbwired. I hope to see you again soon!

    Amber @ barbwired

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  2. What a cute, creative idea! I can't wait until the day I have grandchildren to sew for. I miss little ones around. I'm so glad you came by my blog and left the sweet comment this morning. I've enjoyed visiting with you today!

    Sherry @ A Happy Valentine

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  3. I am loving yellow right now. This skirt is so cute.

    megan
    craftycpa.blogspot.com

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  4. Hi I am your new follower from link at Tip me Tuesday. Would love if you could follow back.
    I too love repurposing and have some examples on my blog. I will be looking forward to seeing your work. Karima
    www.karimascrafts.com/my-craft-blog.html
    and
    www.karimasblogs.blogspot.com

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  5. Very Cute!!!!
    I'd love it if you would link up over at the Glitter Party!!!
    http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/2011/03/weekly-tues-thurs-link-party.html
    xoxo
    Kelly

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  6. Hi Jane,
    Thank you for your nice comment on my ruffled singlet tutorial. Your blog is lovely! xx

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  7. Thanks for linking up last week! I hope to see another of your posts this week! :) http://petitehermine.blogspot.com/2011/04/sunday-linky-party-9-goodies.html

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