Dress as Skirt

Do you sometimes see something so simple that you wonder why you didn't think of it?! 

I've seen lots of bloggers lately wearing dresses as skirts or tops.  Why didn't I think of that?!

This red pleated dress is another from my Mum's 1970's collection.  However, for my everyday wardrobe this red dress was a "bit much".  So I added a chambray shirt and now I feel like I can wear it out in the daytime without people wondering "where is she going?".

Of course I am wearing satin bow heels, but why not?! 

Photos c/o my wonderful Husband

I Made It Monday - Another Midi & Great Fabric Find!

Welcome back to "I Made It Monday"! 

I made a centre back zip in this skirt with 2 box pleats.

I do wish I'd take the time to match the triangles on the side seam, but
I was rushing to finish the skirt to wear to a baby shower.

Photos c/o my wonderful Husband

 

I really should have named this blog "The Tall Mama & Her Midi" because I love them & hope you do too!

This midi skirt is made from my basic midi pattern with 2 box pleats in the front and back (see tutorial here). 

I often get asked where I find my fabrics.  I buy most of my fabric from The Remnant Warehouse; I'm in no way affiliated with them (but would love to be - I'd make you proud The Remnant Warehouse!!).  I love their selection, quality and most importantly price!  Check them out online.

I am also lucky enough to be gifted fabric from people who know I sew and have a love & appreciation of vintage fabric (examples here and here).

However you don't have to limit yourself to fabric stores when looking for fabric, inspiration can strike anywhere!  This gorgeous yellow & grey geometric fabric started its life as a doona (duvet) cover at Target!  Yep, I saw this in the bedding section and thought "why can't I find fabric like that for a midi skirt?".  Duh!  It is fabric and I can turn it into a skirt with plenty to spare! 

So the moral of the story is: when shopping for fabric don't limit yourself to fabric stores or feel discouraged if you don't have good fabric stores in your area.  Keep an open mind and great fabrics can be found anywhere! 

Mabel Midi Skirt

 

Shirt: Lee Cooper / Skirt: Made By Me / Shoes: Target



I just love the detail of this vintage floral fabric!
Photos c/o my wonderful Husband

I cannot get enough of my "Mabel Midi" I've worn it 3 times this week! 

If you missed last Monday's post on how this skirt came to be - check it out here.

Today I've styled it with some casual flats and my favourite Chambray shirt (more about the shirt here).  I think the belt ties the outfit together well while keeping it casual.

I am so in love with this skirt!  I'm sure I'll be sharing many more "Mabel Midi" looks!

Do you have an item of clothing you love to style in different ways?

Pleated Midi Skirt

Do you have a wardrobe piece that you wear a lot? 

And by "a lot" I mean so much that it could be your uniform?!  For me it's this navy pleated midi skirt.  I made it out of Ponte (for those who don't sew *yet* it's a nice heavy but not too stretchy knit fabric).  I decided to add an exposed red zipper and red button to give it some one-of-a-kind-ness (it's a word today). 

I inherited by Husbands' Nonna's sewing machine from the 1950's, tins of buttons, reclaimed zippers and other notions.  I try to add a special Nonna touch to all of the clothes I make my girls and occasionally some of my pieces.  Both the red zipper and button are compliments of Nonna, God bless her soul.



I love making midi skirts because they are easy and forgiving.  All you need to do is start with your waist band measurement (allowing seam allowance for adding the zip) and then add pleats as needed to the skirt pieces to make it fit your waist band. 

There are some great formulas on Pinterest for figuring out the number of pleats:waistband ratio, however my mathematically challenged brain prefers trial and error (not at all efficient, but works for me). I start with my centre box pleat and work my way out until the skirt piece matches up to the waist band.  Simple!

Here is a simple outline of how I made my skirt:

 

There is a great easy to follow tutorial on Elizabeth Ave  which is similar to my skirt.  The best part of making it yourself is that you can make the skirt as long as you want! 
Perfect for nice tall frames!
 
Do you have a wardrobe piece that you wear a lot and can dress up or down?  I'd love to hear about it!