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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:

  1. That is one fantastic transformation - a great Summer bag!

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  2. 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.

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  3. 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!

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  4. 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.

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  5. 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!

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

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  7. 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.

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

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  9. 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! :)

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

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  11. 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.

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  12. 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:)

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

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

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

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

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

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  18. 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!

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

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  20. 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 !

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  21. love all those pretty colours cam, very clever!!

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

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

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

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

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

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  27. 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!)

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  28. 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

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  29. 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.

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

    Jen in Melbourne

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  31. 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!

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

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  33. 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?

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