Sunday, February 09, 2014

Sunday Sew-Day: Blazers, Part VIII

This blazer was... interesting. I spotted it at the end of the night at last fall's clothes swap. No one had taken it yet, and it's obvious why. My husband's first comment upon seeing it was "It's never too late to begin a career in clowning."

Circus SkirtCircus Skirt

But the colors are beautiful, and the fabric is a lovely silk/linen blend.

Circus Skirt

So I decided to bring it home with me and ask it what it wanted to be when it grew up. The answer it eventually gave, after much quiet contemplation and staring at one another, was "a skirt". The bright, bold pattern has a bit of a 60s mod vibe, so let's run with that.

First, I removed the sleeves and shoulder pads.

Circus Skirt

Then I cut straight across the yoke, at the top of the lapels but below the collar.

Circus Skirt

I cut the pieces apart at the side seams and trimmed them into trapezoidal shapes.

Circus Skirt

I carefully (and awkwardly) joined the two fronts by flipping one inside out and inserting the other inside it, aligning the edges, and sewing down to where they start to curve outward. A quick press and I've got the front panel of my skirt.

Circus Skirt

I cut more trapezoids from each sleeve and their linings.

Circus Skirt

I stitched each sleeve to its lining along the bottom edge with right sides facing.

Circus Skirt

Then I flipped it right-side-out and gave it a good press.

Circus Skirt

I spread open the former sleeves and the former back, all connected to their lining along the bottom edge, and I attached them to one another on the sides.

Circus Skirt

I attached the front panels in a similar fashion (but more awkwardly since their lining is also attached along the center seam, not just the bottom edge). After pressing all my seams, it's starting to look like a skirt!

Circus Skirt

I grabbed a zipper from my stash, salvaged from another refashion. And I picked out about 6 inches of the front right seam of both the outer fabric and the lining.

Circus Skirt

I pinned my zipper in place, between the outer fabric and lining...

Circus Skirt

....and top-stitched around it.

Circus Skirt

I had this dress hanging in my refashion closet (thrifted for $5 with the original JCP tags on it). I plan to do something with the floral print portion, but the black border will come in handy right now. I snipped off the bottom hem, enough of it to go around my waist. It's a cotton blend with a bit of stretch to it - perfect for a waistband.

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It's already doubled over lengthwise, so I flipped it inside-out, and sewed the ends closed. Then right-side-out and ironed the ends flat again.

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I pinned the raw edge to the inside of my skirt, slightly stretching the waistband as I sewed around it.

Circus Skirt

Then I folded the waistband downward, toward the right side, making it four layers thick, and I top-stitched along the edge.

Circus Skirt

I even managed the save and reattach the laundering tag, like I like to do.

Circus Skirt

The wild print is still wild, sure, but I think it works much better as a skirt than it did as a blazer. Now should I leave my shirt untucked?

Circus SkirtCircus Skirt

Or should I tuck it in?

Circus Skirt

Should I leave the pocket flaps out or tuck them in too?

Circus Skirt

I'm leaning toward both shirt and flaps tucked. What do you think?

Circus SkirtCircus Skirt

And how about a little close up?

Circus Skirt

Circus Skirt - Before & After

22 comments:

  1. Carrisa - How Cute this skirt turned out -At first, I thought that you were heading the way of culottes with the curved front - a skirt definitely handles this patterned fabric much better that the short jacket and I really like the black waist band finishes the top. Pocket flaps tucked in is the way and I think that shirt works well that way too!! I see it with a tank top.

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    1. Thanks, Linda! I was kinda thinking a tank/cami as well. Of course the temperature has dropped again here, so perhaps I'll be wearing it with fleece-lined leggings and a chunky sweater for the time being!

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  2. I like the way this turned out! and I agree with Linda, tucked and tucked. I'd like to see it with the shirt you were wearing under it in the before pic!

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    1. Thank you, Cari! The chambray shirt was just what I happened to wearing the day of the before pic. I would never have thought to pair it with the new skirt, but maybe now I will!

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  3. I like the look of the pocket flaps tucked in but the shirt loose over the skirt :)

    Great job. Much better as a skirt, and you're right about the resemblance to a 60's pattern!

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    1. Thanks, Jenny! I would have loved to make a little mod shift dress, something like this maybe, but there wouldn't have been enough fabric. The skirt is probably a bit more modest and wearable anyway though, so it all worked out!

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  4. Love it! Outstanding transformation.

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  5. Love the skirt - and I agree, tucked and tucked, although they are quirky cute pocket lapels. Great job!

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    1. Thanks! That's why I didn't remove the pocket flaps - because I felt like they had a chance at being cute.

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  6. Wonderful job! This pattern makes for a fun skirt! I agree with one of the above comments, I think it would look great with the light blue shirt you had on in the 'before' picture-it complements the colors in the skirt. :)

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    1. Thank you, Desarae! I have to give that a try!

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  7. It looks great! I really like this!

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  8. Bahaha, it really did look like a clown costume. Love the transformation!
    Miche from Buttons and Birdcages

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    1. Thanks, Miche! It certainly couldn't have gotten worse!

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  9. I love it, most beautiful after than before ! (j'aime, plus beau après qu'avant)

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  10. Sooo stinkin' cute!! I vote for the double tuck. Love the line of the pockets when you tuck 'em. Regardless, the colors and print are fab.

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    1. Thanks, Carolyn! I like the pocket lines too. I feel like it doesn't interrupt the pattern as much as the pocket flaps do.

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  11. I would have worn the jacket as was, but adore the skirt even more! Let me know if you ever get tired of it!

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