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Friday, July 04, 2008

Refashioned

Last week walking through the subway, I saw a young woman wearing an a-line print skirt that had a band at the hem that was a totally different color than any of the colors in the skirt. At first it was a little jarring to the eye but the look stuck with me.

Today I was hanging up clothes in the closet and I happened onto some skirts that I made about five years ago from my favorite TNT skirt pattern. I have been hesitant to ditch them because they are perfectly good skirts, just not right for my current work environment. They are made from some cotton pique prints that I got during a fabric shopping extravangza with friends to JoMars in Philadelphia.

So I started with this long, ankle-length, bias cut skirt:




And after a trip to the fabric closet...I'm starting to believe that I have a little of everything in there...I ended up with this:



I added a 4 inch band of yellow linen to the bottom of the skirt. So with a little time and effort, I now have a great skirt to wear on fridays. I can just add a white twinset and I'll be all set!

I'm home for the next few days and have a few more dresses that I want to crank out so look for them!

And does a refashioned item count as a finished item?...Just wondering...






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37 comments:

  1. Erica BunkerJuly 04, 2008 8:44 PM

    That skirt is adorable! I love the contrast!

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  2. toyJuly 04, 2008 8:54 PM

    that is so cute Carolyn, I think the contrast band really vamps it up!

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  3. RoseJuly 04, 2008 9:02 PM

    The revision looks modern and fashion forward. You highlighted one of this summer's colors--yellow! I think that this counts, I mean, you did make the skirt several years ago, so this is just an added edit ;) . Great job!

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  4. MaggieJuly 04, 2008 9:23 PM

    Of course it counts! It has the Lily Pulitzer look to it. The contrasting band is a really good way to update.
    Marguerite

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  5. scottrhoJuly 04, 2008 10:16 PM

    I love it!!

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  6. GigiJuly 04, 2008 10:18 PM

    Wow, I can't believe the difference! Now the skirt looks totally fresh and new - amazing. You are tall though so I am wondering how well this would work for short little me...I'll have to test it out. I hear ya about having a "little bit of everything" in the stash - mine is actually starting to scare me a little. I need to do more sewing and less shopping!

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  7. SherrilJuly 04, 2008 10:50 PM

    You've got a totally cute skirt now. I think it will look really fashionable with your white twin set. If you can wear it, it must count as finished.

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  8. AllisonCJuly 04, 2008 11:04 PM

    That's terrific, what a makeover!

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  9. MyraJuly 04, 2008 11:16 PM

    Great idea! You should sign up for Wardrobe Refashioning site; it's all about what you have done there. I just signed up, so we will see what we do. I have a maternity dress I am going to cut into for a blouse (the bust fits fine and sleeves are already set in, so I will see what I can fashion from a BWOF pattern cutting it down, darts, etc. And, yes it counts, you used up stash to make the band.

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  10. SheilaJuly 04, 2008 11:29 PM

    Great refashion and agree it has a fresh and modern look to it.

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  11. Kris C.July 04, 2008 11:45 PM

    You could always call it a re-finished item! :)

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  12. ValerieJuly 05, 2008 12:39 AM

    Love, love, love it! The yellow is a perfect compliment!

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  13. TanyJuly 05, 2008 4:34 AM

    Fabulous! You are so inspiring! I love your "new" skirt!

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  14. ClaudineJuly 05, 2008 5:01 AM

    That skirt was languishing in the 1990's and you've rescued it! You are a hero.

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  15. KayBJuly 05, 2008 6:40 AM

    Wow.... that's something I really have to keep in mind. Thanks! and it looks like a new one, too.

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  16. SummersetJuly 05, 2008 8:03 AM

    Awesome! I love it, love it, love it! You've done a fabulous job giving that skirt a lift and bringing it up to date.

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  17. cidellJuly 05, 2008 8:29 AM

    You just took 10 years off that skirt in one fell swoop!

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  18. Vicki WJuly 05, 2008 9:07 AM

    Absolutely it counts and what a fresh new look!

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  19. MaryissewfastJuly 05, 2008 9:18 AM

    Very pretty! Looks even better the second time around! Mary

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  20. ClaireJuly 05, 2008 11:15 AM

    Dang! Can I take 10 years off my body as quickly as you took 10 years off that skirt????? In my book *anything* finished counts as a finished project. The skirt looks absolutely fantastic!

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  21. a little sewingJuly 05, 2008 11:22 AM

    What a great idea! This gives me a good excuse for saving my scraps and remnants. Cuz, ya never know!

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  22. JaneneJuly 05, 2008 11:46 AM

    Great save...you made it updated, stylish, and NOW. Love it.

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  23. Mariela AlethiaJuly 05, 2008 11:47 AM

    Wow, I really like it!

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  24. Still PatriceJuly 05, 2008 12:00 PM

    Beautiful! I love the yellow :)

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  25. Nancy KJuly 05, 2008 1:41 PM

    Now its young and hip. Great idea.

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  26. fabricluver (Susan)July 05, 2008 3:23 PM

    I love it - that is so cute!

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  27. Ann_BJuly 05, 2008 5:12 PM

    Wow, looks like a whole new skirt. The yellow hem band makes the skirt look brand new. I'd count it as a finished item.

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  28. CarolJuly 05, 2008 6:50 PM

    Cute as a button! I love it.

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  29. Nancy WinninghamJuly 05, 2008 11:51 PM

    I love what you did with this skirt. One of my very favorite skirts I got from Old Navy. It is a navy and white batik/wax print with a gold band around the hem. I get lots of compliments on it.

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  30. AnonymousJuly 06, 2008 1:06 AM

    Absolutely refashioned counts as finished ~ especially when it adds a garment to your wardrobe for a casual day. It looks great - love the contrast bands. g

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  31. loopyluluJuly 06, 2008 2:58 AM

    Good idea to refashion a skirt this way. I saw something similar on a marc jacobs dress, thanks for re-triggering that memory.

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  32. Faye LewisJuly 06, 2008 2:58 AM

    I really love your refashioned skirt.

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  33. MegJuly 06, 2008 8:22 AM

    Inspiration from unexpected places yields the most wonderful things.

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  34. JackieJuly 06, 2008 10:12 AM

    So cute! It's like have a brand new skirt!

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  35. Sew BettieJuly 06, 2008 8:59 PM

    The skirt is great. I am so impressed with your sewing skills.

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  36. MynroseJuly 13, 2008 11:21 PM

    Oh wow that is nice!!! :) I love the color co-ordination with the yellow border and the sunflower. Pretty! I would want one just like that if I had the same fabric and all :) Thanks for sharing .

    Maz/Mynrose.blogspot.com

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  37. VickiJuly 13, 2008 11:33 PM

    Wow, what a difference that makes! Really brings it up to date.

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