Saturday, June 4, 2011

A 15 Minute Re-fashion


I have a massive range of clothes in my wardrobe. My weight tends to vary over three different clothing sizes depending on what's happening in my life (skirt is gathered and pinned at the back to fit Frances.... I am nowhere near this size).

I try to clean it out and donate things to the oppy every so often, but there are some pieces that I just have to hold on to.

Does anyone actually remember when ankle length denim skirts were fashionable?

I bought this skirt on a holiday in Queensland somewhere around 1999 or 2000. I used to wear it with a pair of black high heel lace up boots that I bought at the Queen Vic Market...... ahhhh the memories.

It's been sitting in a drawer gathering dust for years, and has even survived the massive wardrobe cull of two house moves, so I thought it deserved a new life.


Bring on the rotary cutter, overlocker, sewing machine, and a spare 15 minutes..... and this is what you get.

All of a sudden, I now have a wearable denim a-line skirt. Perfect!

25 comments:

Tanya said...

that is bravery rewarded!

Jennie said...

How satisfying is a fast refashion, especially one that will survive the washing machine? The refashioned dress I'm trying to finish for tonight has taken hooooours and is now Spot Clean Only.

My motto when making skirts for Olive Grove was always "Shorter is Cuter!" I always ended up taking 10cm off the original length.

Makeminemidcentury said...

Shoot! That's excellent!

How clever are you?!

LionessLady said...

Lovely! I am fairly certain I have something very similar in my cupboard.

mel @ loved handmade said...

That is perfect! I do remember when long denim skirts were in I had a dark one & a light one & wore them all the time! I just shortened an ankle length wool dress that I have had for years & years & could never throw away even though I hadn't worn it since forever! Since shortening it just below the knee I've worn it heaps already this season, hooray for the re-vamp!

Betty Jo said...

I just read Maxi skirts are back in!http://www.madisonmag.com.au/fashion/trend-alert-maxi-skirts.htm
Can you sew the cut off denim back on....because we must always follow the trends.

Christy Franklin said...

Noice!! And now you have a nice big piece of scrap denim to make fun things out of!

Renae @ theredwren said...

Cute! That's much nicer!

teddybearswednesday said...

FAB! xo

Alicia said...

Fantastic, love it when these brain waves hit!

Andi said...

Perfect!!
Just team it up with those boots and some funky colourful tights!!

willywagtail said...

Great idea. I loved those long denim skirts but the truth is they suit tall, slim girls such as your Frances the best, of which I am neither. Cherrie

Margaret said...

Can't disagree with that.

Miss Prudence said...

Hmm i am regretting throwing out my ankle length skirts! But culling is most necessary isn't it? In fact I am doing that as we speak, well I taking a break to blog heh heh.

Copper Patch said...

Oooh I think you should reward your bravery with a fab pair of boots for winter? Some nice opague tights too...?
Have fun flitting about in your new skirt!
Ab

Lauren said...

Great job...times like this I wish I could sew :)

Naturally Carol said...

Hi Cam..when you have a brainwave like this don't you wonder why you didn't do it months ago..lol!

Tas said...

Oh, you know that ankle length denim skirts are sure to be "in" next winter, don't you? Lucky fashion trends aren't anything we chose to follow lol.

trash said...

What? They aren't fashionable anymore? Uhoh...

Jennifer Rose said...

i have the hardest time finding ankle length jean skirts, i love them just hard to find one that doesn't make my arse look huge :p

Caroline said...

Can't believe you bought this in Queensland!? I guess in true Queenslander style it would have only been worn with a pair of thongs. Lucky you have put it out of its misery and now it would look totally funky with a great pair of Melbourne winter boots!

The Creative Beast said...

I love the skirt style you have there! No wonder you kept it through two house moves and numerous cullings - it looks just as great in the new length as it did when it was long...

Speaking of which, I often wear long denim skirts in the cold months, when we have such weather here in Los Angeles =-\

The Creative Beast said...

BTW - I'm curious to see what will be made with the left over denim!!

Julia said...

I'm doing the same thing right now. I am remaking some of my old clothes, as well as, some of my Mother's to update them and to fit me.

Unknown said...

Awesome!!! I did a crop to a long denim wrap skirt a few years back and it made it so much more wearable... As for fashion.. Ankle length skirts are always in fashion for me!! I love them.. especially linen ones.. :)