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: Adding Sleeves & Length to a Top

This week I'm adding sleeves and much needed length to a top.

It is really simple to do and dramatically changes the look of a simple (boring) piece.  As a girly girl this was a great way for me to add a little lace to a summer staple.

I simply took a scrap of white knit fabric which was the same width as the bottom of my top and sewed lace to one edge.  I then sewed it to the bottom of the top.  As knit fabric doesn't fray it is very easy and forgiving to work with.

For the sleeves I simply took 2 rectangles of fabric which were as long as the armhole.  I sewed lace to the edge then attached to the arm holes of the top.  As I wanted more of a flutter sleeve than a fitted sleeve, and knit fabric stretches, you don't need to worry about ease or exact fitting.

Simple but very effective! 

Top: Refashioned by Me / Jeans: Refashioned by Me / Shoes: Taking Shape

Photos c/o my wonderful Husband

70's Style My Way

The fashion world is talking about how the 1970's look is back.  I've seen people looking fabulous in flares, fringe and long vests.  But that look just isn't me.

I firmly believe that no matter what the trends are, you need to stay true to your personal style.  You won't feel comfortable wearing something that doesn't fit with your style.  Feeling comfortable and confident is far more attractive (and important) than being trendy. 

If I were to wear flares and a long fringed vest I'd feel like I was playing dress ups or wearing a costume.  Fortunately the 70's was more than these "hippy looks" as my Mum would say.

This dress belonged to my Mum and is from the 1970's.  She couldn't recall exactly when she bought it, but said it was before I was born so that makes it pre-1976.  The dress is made of that classic crunchy polyester... I'm thankful that the manufacture of synthetic fabrics has come a long way since then!

This is a 1970's look that fits my personal style! 

 

Photos c/o my wonderful Husband

I Made It Monday: DIY Circle Skirt

Welcome back to "I Made It Monday"!

Last week I made a couple of circle skirts for my little girls.  They loved them because nothing is more twirly than a circle skirt!  Which got me thinking: I don't have a circle skirt.  As you all know, I have a lot of pleated midi skirts and am now the proud owner of 2 maxi skirts, but no circle skirts.

That very same day that I had the "no circle skirt" revelation I was hunting for vintage dress patterns at my local Salvation Army and saw a pretty blue and green chambray meets gingham round table cloth.  A round table cloth could be turned into a circle skirt, right?!  The worst part, hemming, was already done!  For $3.00 I was going to give it a try! 

Now the internet does not need another circle skirt tutorial so I'm not going to give one.  Plus, I made so many mistakes with what should have been a very simple and straight forward project that I don't feel like I'm in a position to write a tutorial.

First I was going to put in an exposed elastic waistband, and cut the centre circle accordingly (to fit over my hips).  Then I decided that a waistband with a zipper would look more polished.  I had cut such a huge circle (clearly my mathematics was off) that I was able to cut a waistband out of the off cut.  I sewed that to my skirt and sewed in a zip... however I had failed to try the skirt on (BIG mistake) and when I put it on it fell right off.  Sigh... it was a bit big! 

At this point I was ready to re-donate it to the Salvation Army, but I refuse to be beaten.  So I unpicked the zip, which just made me begrudge the skirt more, and sewed up the hole and threaded elastic through the waistband.

If you've stuck with me through this ranting comedy of errors I commend you!  Basically what was going to be an elastic waisted skirt took some time consuming and frustrating detours just to end up being an elastic waisted skirt.  If it wasn't so pretty I wouldn't have stuck with it!

Top: Refashioned by Me (coming to blog next week) / Skirt: Me / Sandals: Big W

And you can't help but twirl like a little girl in a circle skirt!

Photos c/o my wonderful Husband

I Made It Monday: From Frumpy to Fab Refashion

This is a really simple dress to skirt refashion (see similar here) that anyone can do. 

I picked this dress up at a Thrift Shop for $3.00 - you get what you pay for, right?!

I was singing "I Feel Pretty" as you do! 
I went all out for the before shot: no shoes, no make up!

I like the colours and the lightweight cotton fabric.  However, that square neckline does me no favours; the whole dress is too wide on me; the hem line is a weird and unflattering length with that much solid blue.

So to remedy all these problems I simply chopped the dress off under the armpits; sewed a casing and inserted elastic. 

Sandals: Big W; Skirt: Made by Me; Shirt: Old & refashioned by me
Pretty view c/o Kiama, NSW

Ta da!  A maxi skirt!  From frumpy dress to fabulous maxi skirt in one simple seam!

It was really windy! 
I don't mind rain, snow, cold or heat but I do NOT like the wind!
Photos c/o my wonderful Husband who loves a random unflattering shot!