Shirt to Skirt Refashion

Hello Everyone! I am finally done with the semester and it feels great! I have one semester of nursing school behind me and just three more to go - but first I will enjoy the summer. A few weeks ago, I went shopping at one of our local thrift shops. I found this shirt on sale for $2 and since I've always wanted to try refashioning something, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity!

 

 

As you can see, the shirt was huge on me. I decided to make it into a simple elastic waist skirt.

 

 

It was very simple to make - I just cut across the shirt at the armholes so I would have a straight edge to sew my elastic on. Before sewing the elastic, I used an overcast stitch to finish the edges. I used 3 inch wide elastic and left it exposed on the top of the skirt. So simple - it took less than 20 minutes!

 

The skirt ended up being way too short to wear as is because I never wear anything above my knees. That was an easy fix though. I just put on a longer, straighter skirt underneath. I think it works and it adds color to the tan skirt.

 

My favorite part of making this was that I didn't have to hem it! I think it will get a lot of wear this summer now that the weather is finally starting to warm up.

 

~Elizabeth

 

 

Linking up with some link parties found here.

The Liebster Blog Award

Hello everyone!! Back in March, Kristin of Sunny Sewing nominated me for the Liebster award! I did some searching and found out that it is an award given to bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. It is a great way to get to know other bloggers better and to find new blogs to follow.

Here are my answers to the eleven questions Kristin asked for me to answer:

Q1. What drew you to sewing?

I started sewing through 4-H when I was 11 (with quilting!) and I kept at it each year. Then I discovered clothing and my interest in sewing clothes kept growing. I love that I can take a piece of fabric and turn it into something wearable!

Q2. What is your most favorite thing you've made thus far?

My favorite thing so far was definitely this dress! It was my first dress and I am so happy with the way it turned out. Once spring decides to get here, I will be wearing it a lot!

Q3. How many hours a week do you sew?

It really depends on what my week looks like. Lately, I have been sewing 0 hours a week because of school. I would love to be sewing, but school comes first. I have been known to sew for hours on end, because once I sit down at my sewing machine, it is hard for me to stop!

Q4. What is your favorite pattern company to sew from?

My favorite pattern company is definitely Sew Serendipity. I have made several of Kay Whitt’s patterns and I love the designs! The patterns are very well written and easy to understand. Also, Kay is so helpful and is willing to answer any questions about the patterns. 

Q5. Who do you like to sew for most?

I like to sew for myself because I love wearing handmade clothes.  I also like sewing for my younger siblings, especially my little sisters! There are such cute patterns out there for little girls and it is so fun to make them things.

Q6. Roughly how much fabric do you have stashed? some, a lot, or I'm buried!

I’d say I have some fabric stashed. It might seem like a lot, but it’s really just a bunch of scrap pieces from other projects. I really don’t have any yardage stashed that I can use to make big items like clothing. My stash keeps growing with each project I make though.

Q7. What do you like to do besides sewing? Other hobbies?

Other things I like to do besides sewing are read, write, blog, run, be outside, hang out with friends, and cook/bake. Running is a good stress reliever for me and I like to get outside and enjoy the weather when it is nice.

Q8. Who inspired you to start sewing or who inspires you now?

Other sewing bloggers inspire me now! I am always amazed at what they are doing, whether it’s making their own patterns or sewing something without a pattern or refashioning an item into something new. There is so much inspiration in the blogosphere!

Q9. What made you want to start a sewing blog?

I was inspired by other sewing blogs and I thought it would be a good way for me to keep track of my sewing projects. Now, I enjoy sharing my projects with others and I hope to continue growing and learning. The blogging community is so great…I have met so many wonderful people who are encouraging and kind. I have learned a lot from other sewing bloggers too and they continue to inspire and amaze me with their incredible sewing skills!

Q10. What sewing item are you dreaming of getting, regardless of cost?

Oh, I would love to get a serger! Right now I manage with the overlock foot on my sewing machine for finishing seams, but it would be so much easier (and faster!) with a serger! Someday…

Q11. Tell me something about you that most people who read your blog do not know!

Most people who read my blog probably don’t know that I play the violin. I’ve been playing the violin for about 13 years, although I don’t take lessons anymore. I play in my college orchestra, but I enjoy playing for fun the most!

Now, I get to come up with 11 questions for the bloggers I nominate.

1. What are three words that describe you?
2. Why did you decide to start a blog?
3. If you could live in any time period, what one would you pick and why?
4. What is your favorite kind of music?
5. What do you like to do in your free time?
6. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
7. Do you prefer skirts or pants?
8. If you could play any instrument what would you pick?
9. What are some of your favorite books and/or authors?
10. What are you most looking forward to this summer?
11. Who inspires you and why?

 

Here are 11 blogs I nominate:

1. Boyer Family Singers
2. Daisy Chain Creations
3. Little Bunny Quilts
4. Simple Modest Fashion
5. Undeniably, Me
6. Five and Counting
7. Sweet Little Pretties
8. Sewing Like Mad
9. Blue Susan Makes
10. Wunderbar
11. Better With June

Thanks again for nominating me Kristin!

~Elizabeth

P.S. School has been incredibly busy this past month, so I have not been able to do any sewing or blogging! This week is finals week, so I'm almost done and I should have some new sewing projects/blog posts soon.