Saturday, July 20, 2013

Three dress to skirt refashions, 1 failure, 2 okay

I got two almost identical XL dresses in India print at a TS for a couple of bucks each, thinking they would fit my foster daughter.  They did fit but were not flattering.  So I decided to try to make something for me.  I only took a before pic of this one, but there is also a red print which is the second refashion in the post.

Dress plus pants

Another sewist who posted at the Refashion Coop had added a skirt to a pants waistband and top so I thought I would try that with the top of these old linen pants which have never fit me well.

Dress plus pants

So I cut the skirt off the dress at the gathers and attached it to the pants top.  

Dress plus pants

Then....  disappointment!  What was I thinking.  I have no idea what to do with these now.  About all I can say for this skirt is that it fits.  Too much pant part and too much gathers, I think.  The trouble is the pockets of the pants go low.  I may try to redo this (later, much later).

Dress plus pants

Ok the red dress is next.  I had seen a cute skirt in Anthro with a similar print and a dropped waist.  So this time I cut the skirt off above the gathers, just below the armholes to leave room for a casing and have the gathers drop to the hips.

Refashion dress

And put some nicer buttons (that I got at the same TS, later) to replace the plastic wood look standard cheapo ones that the dress came with.  There weren't enough of one style so I used two cute small ones at the top and the larger ones you see for the rest.

Refashion Dress

Turned under to make a waistband and put elastic in elastic.  I sewed up the button up front, tho I kept the look of it.   I think its ok.  Not sure I like how I styled it in this photo, but you get the idea.

Refashion dress

I wish I had made it a bit longer.  Still could I guess!

Finally, I found a wild colorful too large print dress at a TS.  It was a sleeveless pull on.   I cut it off under the arms, took in the sides (with my new serger - love it so much),  saved some fabric when I took in the sides at the bottoms for the side vents.

Measuring the side vent

I like it, and its a nice length.

Long skirt made from dress

So I'm not really thrilled with even the 2nd two which I have worn and will wear again.  Even so, one of the wonderful things about refashioning is that I am improving my sewing skills and trying styles without spending much money.

I'm linking up to Motivate Me Monday at Keeping It Simple and What to Do Weekends at Crafts a la Mode. and Refashion First Friday.  Check out the amazing other projects!

Thanks for looking.

Kathy




7 comments:

  1. You sound like me, experimenting. I like the 2nd and 3rd ones the best.


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  2. I like them a lot!! Now I have to try my hand at it, too. Going tag saling this weekend so will check out dresses. Great work. Thanks for sharing it also. Linda

    http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/07/what-to-do-weekends-29.html

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  3. Love the skirts especially the last two! they are adorable. :)

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  4. Thanks so much for sharing! I completely agree with you about learning something new or something more when refashioning old items into something new. I love the process despite some of the failures. I love reading others' refashioning experiences.

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  5. Really like the third one... I really think that if you were to take apart the pants/skirt... and make the waistband shorter... you would be happier... just ignore the pockets if you must! Or... cut them so they would go inside the skirt portion? Just a thought!

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  6. I think you did a great job on all three! I love dress to skirt refashions but ill give you a tip to make them easier, try creating a waist band rather than using old trousers. Take a newish tshirt and cut it across just under the armpit leaving you with a tube, fold it so the right sides are facing and sew it together to make a band, then take it in ( by chopping off one side by about 2 inches to make a snug fit) as it will stretch and leave an inch or so unsewn flip right way out and hand stitch the rest an there you have a waist band (around 4-6 inches tall) then all you have to do to add the skirt is stretch the waistband as you sew to make it as wide as the skirt, then zigzag across the outside of the skirt to join the waistband securely. It's a great technique and may new practise but it's super comfy and if you lose or gain weight (or bloat like I do after dinner) it still fits and is still super comfy!

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    I am actually uploading the tutorial to this tomorrow :)

    Lauren

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    1. Thank you Lauren, for your comments and for the waistband idea. I will definitely try this, maybe as a save for that first skirt.
      Kathy

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Kathy