And the After.
I lost some of the "trumpet-ness" because I also chopped off 4" from the length, but I gained a skirt I can (and will) actually wear.
I made it a little snug on purpose because I'm not going to be doing this re-make again. When it gets too big to wear again, it will be tossed or donated.
The skirt has 6 gores, 3 front and 3 back. Ordinarily, I probably would have removed the waistband and taken in each vertical seam. But this skirt has a side invisible zipper, which is in a pocket …
… with button tabs.
I didn't want to mess with the zipper or pockets. But I noticed that the center front and center back gores were wider than the side gores and decided that I could just alter the CF and CB pieces and not throw off the sideseams (or pockets) at all.
So I unstitched the waistband above those pieces and then ripped out the seams connecting the centers to the sides, and ended up with this:
(The dress underneath is still waiting for me to stitch the neckline higher. It will probably take me 15 minutes to do this, but yet there it still sits.)
Oh, before any ripping, I had pinned the waistband so that it fit and then marked it with washaway marker. I measured the take-in distance at the front waist and removed that from the CF gore. I did the same for the back.
Then I sewed the gores back in and cut the waistband to fit the new circumference (most of the waistband was still attached to the skirt. I just worked in the areas above the CF and CB gores). I narrowed the front waistband in two places - I was trying for seams above the gores but I missed. I narrowed the back waistband at the CB only.
I'm happy with the remake. It took a few hours but I think it was worth it. I couldn't have cut and sewed a new skirt with these features in the same time. Once again, I'm glad I have mad sewing skillz. ;-)
Next up will be this skirt. I'm going to cut it down from the waistband and add new, tighter elastic. This one should be a pretty fast re-do.
I think I've had a pretty productive weekend. My laundry is done. I made a skirt, remade another, returned unwanted purchases, returned books to the library before they were late, gassed up the car, and tomorrow's lunch is made and in the fridge. Now I've about 2 hours before sleep time so I'm going to watch the rest of the football game and just generally veg.
You've been very busy this weekend! Like the refashioned skirt.
ReplyDeleteI like that flouncy skirt.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Debbie...I really appreciate you taking the time to post photos and write out the steps you take in your sewing. I keep on learning from you! Thanks
ReplyDeleteMan, I need to lay down and rest after reading all that! I rarely find it worth my while to unpick seams and redo RTW -- it ends up looking too imperfect to meet my exacting standards, but that skirt wound up looking great! Hopefully you have enough clothes for the next week, but one can never have too many....
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about sewing on a deadline. I find that having a blog does keep me steadily working -- otherwise I might let a couple weeks lapse between projects.
Very creative alteration! I love the skirt details.
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed following both your sewing and fitness adventures. Congratulations on your new job! I'm curious how you fit your walking into your new schedule? As a desk jockey, I find it hard to keep active.
ReplyDeleteVery productive weekend indeed. Great refashion of the skirt too. But what I can't believe is how much weight you have lost when I see that skirt!! Since late-May you say? WOW! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI particularly admire the 'lunch made and in the fridge' part :-). Still, an admirable weekend, I'm glad you could end it with some real rest. Soon you'll be able to go to work for weeks on end without needing to do the laundry :-).
ReplyDeleteI like that purple(?) skirt, the next remake. The cover-stitched seams look fantastic. Also, congratulations from me on the job, the mad sewing skillz and (to borrow a phrase) living your best life.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your weight loss. You look terrific!
ReplyDeleteTerrific remake! Have a great week at your new J.O.B. !!
ReplyDeleteYour remakes are so smart. I've a bunch of "before" dresses that are too long in the shoulder, too floppy in the sleeves--you've inspired me to tackle them today. Brava!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I've been on low-carb since January and I'm down 47 pounds. I've altered a few RTW skirts and pants and came to the same decision about only once. I've also made some muslins that I've had to alter before I got the real thing made! Low carb is great! Keep up the good work. I have 23 pounds to go. Hope to reach my goal by Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo on looking good and the remake. You are on a roll!
ReplyDeletewow! Great job...I'm having the same problem with most of my work wardrobe...guess that happens when you start working out and lose two dress sizes!! You make it look so simple to completely re-make a garment! I'm terrified to try mine...
ReplyDeleteI had some catching up to do and first off I have to say you look amazing! I love all the outfits for your new job and you look and really sound sooooo happy :)))
ReplyDeleteThe skirt fit in May????? Wow. Double Wow. You have my deepest admiration. The flouncy skirt will look great when you finish it, too. Hope the job is going well.
ReplyDeleteIt fit in May ?! Wow - Congratulations on the weight loss !
ReplyDeleteYour remakes look great - I really like both skirts.
I started my pant making/fitting journey in the fall last year, right before I started my own weight loss. Only completed 2 pairs but they're now falling off me. Weighing the 'remake' possibilities against just starting a new pair or two.
Wow, Debbie.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, you are 'smokin'. I need to know what you are eating. I need me some of that! Keep up the great work.. losing weight, sewing and back in the work force.
ReplyDeleteClever refashion! I am so impressed with your patience. I hate going back to finished projects. Though every time I do, it is infinitely worth it.
ReplyDelete