Thursday, July 31, 2014

Business Time

I picked up this professional-looking dress for $5 at one of my favorite thrift shops. It had definite potential, but the fit was all wrong. The bottom fit okay, but the top was way too big and the waist was way too long for my short torso. The center back seam had come undone a bit and the bottom of the zipper was poking out (no wonder with how high the zipper stopped - clearly the manufacturer doesn't know what hips are). Add to that the fact that I like a little more color in my wardrobe, and I decided I would get a lot more use out of this piece as a skirt.

Grey Pencil Skirt - BeforeGrey Pencil Skirt - Before

My first step was to carefully remove the zipper. I seam-ripped the back seam about 8 inches further down also so there wouldn't be too much pressure at the bottom like there was originally.

Grey Pencil Skirt - In Progress

Then I cut the top off, just below the under-bust seam. I also snipped off the hanger straps with the intent of reusing them. Ultimately though, I forgot about them and discovered them still laying on my sewing table after the skirt was complete. Oh well!

Grey Pencil Skirt - In Progress

I folded the waist panel downward and trimmed off the excess to match the angled seam in the back.

Grey Pencil Skirt - In Progress

Then I tucked the edges under and stitched around the edge to create my new waistband. I stopped a little short on either side of the zipper edge though, so I'll be able to insert my zipper between the two layers of the waistband.

Grey Pencil Skirt - In Progress

Then I reattached the zipper and trimmed the excess length.

Grey Pencil Skirt - In Progress

I top-stitched the waistband along the top part of the zipper...

Grey Pencil Skirt - In Progress

...and around the entire top edge of the skirt.

Grey Pencil Skirt - In Progress

From my scraps of waistband, I cut six little squares, about 2 inches on each side.

Grey Pencil Skirt - In Progress

I grabbed my iron and pressed the top and bottom edges inward about 1/8 inch (top two in pic). Then the sides were pressed in toward the center (middle two). Then the whole thing was folded and pressed in half (bottom two).

Grey Pencil Skirt - In Progress

After stitching around the edges, these little guys are going to become my belt loops!

Grey Pencil Skirt - In Progress

I attached one on either side, plus two in back and two in front. A few quick stitches on the top and bottom of each belt loop completed the project.

Grey Pencil Skirt - In Progress

Hey, these pics look familiar!

Floral Blouse - AfterFloral Blouse - AfterFloral Blouse - After

I paired it with my new floral blouse and a hot pink belt. They're the perfect colorful compliment to the conservative grey skirt.

Floral Blouse - AfterFloral Blouse - AfterFloral Blouse - After



Grey Pencil Skirt - Before & After

9 comments:

  1. The dress can only be considered as frumpy! - now who was the manufacture - we can only hope that they are checking out the refashioning blogs. You have created a great all occasion skirt. Another success!

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    1. The tag just said "Uniform". I'm not sure if that was the brand name (not a very good one), but I certainly wouldn't want to work wherever they are required to wear that dress!

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  2. I don't believe I've ever seen a dress like that. You can get a lot of mileage out of it as a skirt.

    I love the outfit as a whole.

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    1. Definitely! I plan to wear this skirt all the time now!

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  3. Great job Carissa! Love your refashions!

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  4. I like the skirt and top combo! Great job!

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