Monday, September 21, 2009

Is it a skirt...... is it a bag....... it's a skirt bag

Warning: Long post ahead - a cup of tea and a tim tam may be a necessary requirement

It all started a long long time ago, in a galaxy far far away...... way before Tinniegirl and I had actually met in person. In fact, it was way back in the olden days, where Tinniegirl was still blogging in her previous home over at Big Cats Emporium.

It was right there that I first set on my eyes on this fabulous skirt.

Of course, my first suggestion (and yes you can even check the comments to confirm), was that it would make a fabulous handbag.

Fast forward a few months or so, and I finally got my hands on the skirt and bought it home with me to transform into a new creation.

There it sat, staring at me from the WIP stash, just begging to be transformed.


The problem was that I really didn't want to cut the skirt at all. Yes, I realise that I constantly dismember perfectly good pieces of clothing, crochet tablecloths, vintage tea towels, doilies etc without a second thought, but this time it was different.


It was only a few weeks ago, that an idea suddenly popped into my head while I was lying in bed one night... when of course, I should have been sleeping.

I've found that all my best ideas happen this way. Sometimes, I'll sit up and grab the notepad from the drawer next to my bed, sometimes not. I need to actually make a habit of it.

Anyhow, my bright idea was to make a gusseted bottom, and then attach it underneath the bottom of the skirt, without it being visible on the skirt.


The red corduroy is a mens shirt from the op-shop that I found on the $1 rack. It matched perfectly with the red binding on the skirt.

I managed to unpick the stitching holding the facing to the outer of the skirt to attach the strap. I wanted to keep the integrity of the original skirt, and I've even managed to keep the side zip in place.


I created the inner bag by attaching it to the original skirt facing. I love the stripey inner fabric too.

I managed to insert the magnetic snaps up underneath the facing while keeping the original skirt tags in place.

I think this is one of my best transformations yet!

I guess you'll know what I'll be searching for at the op shop in the future.....

50 comments:

One Flew Over said...

That is one fantastic transformation - a great Summer bag!

trash said...

Oh you clever, clever creature you. I remain in awe plus there are no timtams on this side of the world to make me feel better.

Ellieboo said...

Love it - what a funky bag indeed

Unknown said...

That was a very cute skirt. I wouldn't wear it with my legs though. I definitely would carry it around.

Something that is really cool is that if one day the bag is discarded, and finds itself in an op-shop somewhere, it may once again become a skirt!

Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

It's having it's first outing today, and is a very fine and comfy handbag indeed. I absolutely love it.

I realized this morning that this skirt has a bigger story that I had forgotten. I'll try to find some time to tell it on my blog today.

Unknown said...

Sorry, that may have come out all wrong. I LOVE it as a bag. It would get more use here as a bag (believe me!). Just meant that the whole circular, reusable, recycling thing is cool too!

Tania said...

Clever lady! (I think I've said that before).

willywagtail said...

Isn't it just a wonderful feeling to go where no one else has been, to create what no one else has done. The colours in your skirt bag are so divine.

Cathie said...

very magnificent indeed!

RACHAEL said...

Very innovative

Jodie said...

super transformation !!!

Bellgirl said...

It looks marvellous!

Xena said...

Just gorgeous...I love it!

Jennie said...

Ingenious!

sewing the seeds of love said...

brilliant !
you never cease to amaze me !

julia said...

my gosh! That's unbelievable! You really are a creative lady!

Leonie Guld said...

I Love IT!!! Well done to you

Christina Lowry said...

My jaw dropped in awe. I couldn't speak. I don't know what to say. You fry my craft brain with your fantasticness. It is brilliant! :)

Kylie Bowers said...

Oh wow you just keep coming up with fantastic creations! Love it!

Stacy Kraus McDonald said...

Adorable! You are so creative!

Gina said...

I'm in LOVE with that. Watch out for a rip-off coming to a blog near you... if I ever find anything that cute at the oppy, that is.

Tee hee, word today is 'facelog'. I like it.

Neen said...

That looks really cool, I love the buttons. I also find it very hard to cut into fabric, so many different choices and ideas, I very much like what you decided to do:)

Micky - Handmade Expo said...

Can I buy it?????? I LOVE IT!

Micky
xxoo

Micky - Handmade Expo said...

I really mean it...

Micky
xxoo

ren said...

Well isn't that just fabulous! You are a talented lady!

Cass said...

Cam I absolutely love it and I love the style of skirt too, might have to do a skirt like that for Charlotte.

bec said...

Is Cathy getting it back, though? Hmm, I want one too, I've got a kilt i'll bring along Thursday.....

yardage girl said...

That is a great bag - nice work!

Michelle said...

I love the bag! I loved the skirt, but the bag makes it so much better!

Anonymous said...

it is not only brilliant Cam but gorgeous too I love love love it xx

Mookah Studio said...

I don't actually know which I love better, the bag or the skirt. Both are fab. Your craftiness skills never cease to amaze me!

JadeMomma said...

Wow! I'm so impressed!! The final outcome is fantastic...you go girl!

Melanie Gray Augustin said...

Fabulous!

bubbachenille said...

If Micky doesn't buy it I will !
Actually, could you not sell it to her and I'll buy it for her birthday on the 2nd October ? Oh Please !

Sandrine said...

love all those pretty colours cam, very clever!!

Swirlyarts said...

Oh it's beautiful! Love it!

beachvintage.com said...

How did you think to do that? You are amazing girl.

Christy said...

i love that bag!

Cath @ chunkychooky said...

I loved it as a skirt- I am so glad you didn't cut it! it looks great as a bag too.

frutejuce said...

You have done a great job on that skirt. It makes a fantastic bag.

Lola Nova said...

I see by the many comments that I am not only one who thinks this is awesome! Very well done indeed!

Jenny said...

Just so clever you are Ms Curly pops!!! It is stunning and yes a fantastic transformation indeed!

Liesl said...

Now that's a really clever transformation - I can see why you didn't want to alter the skirt itself. It looks really fabulous!

Do we call your skirt bag a birt? (Skag doesn't sound quite right!)

Megan.K. said...

Love it! Clever and cute...
x

JuliaB said...

WOW!!! that's AMAZING!! I have a top of a dress which I made up but which is too small .. I think I may give this a go with that! x

Nikki said...

So I've had this page open to comment since you posted but life got int he way of my thoughts. I'm glad it did because I have just read Tinniegirl's blog. My comments have changed.
First... what an AWESOME job you have done. Soooo clever. To retain the features of the skirt (especially the zip - wow!) while still adding a base is amazing. I hope you are feeling very pleased with yourself. Definately worth a Tim Tam celebration!
And second.... what a lovely story this skirt has. From Cathy's first thoughts, to your finished product. I great story of ideas, friendship and creativity.

JasperBoy said...

Love, love, love it as a skirt and as a bag :)

Jen in Melbourne

Jenaveve said...

This is super cool ... I actually wouldn't mind making this up as a skirt one day. But it's just so perfect for a bag - love your work Cam!

Melanie said...

That is a superfantastic bag, and I love the (combined) story of its journey from op-shop to bag.

Stacey said...

What a gorgeous skirt - I wish I had the legs to wear something like that!
Perhaps you could make the bottom of it detachable so you could still wear it as a skirt when the mood takes you?