I had this teal coloured long-sleeve t-shirt to which I had added a fabric skirt awhile ago. That skirt eventually started tearing because the fabric was old, but the shirt part stayed intact. So I removed the skirt and fashioned another one.

I love how it turned out! The pink floral fabric comes from my collection of vintage Wabasso cotton sheets which you know I love! I have made half-circle skirts before, but I set out to learn how to make a quarter-circle skirt so it would be less bulky. Of course, I had to recall the math and geometry involved in this, but I did eventually. Calculators exist online for this purpose, but I wanted to calculate it all myself and figure out seam and hem allowances that I created, not what the calculator created and told me to use. I like to keep my mind challenged in knowing how to do tasks myself. Of course, next time I go to do this, I will have forgotten and will have to refresh my mind; but that’s alright! 😀

Once I got the quarter-circle skirt cut out, it was easier to figure out measurements for two quarter-circle sleeves. I sewed everything to the t-shirt and tried it on. It fits perfectly, and I love the drape of the skirt and the flow of the sleeves.

Then I moved on to my favourite part of any project: decorating it! I made this bright pink flower from silk from a recycled blouse. I LOVE using silk (and linen, cotton, and cashmere), especially for these types of gathered-centre flowers, because it’s so flexible. I basically sewed a strip of silk and gathered the running stitches so that it formed a circle. Then I created and attached a beaded centre using a method I made up myself (maybe others do it, but I’d never seen it…I just invented as I went, and it worked for my flower brooches).

Finally, I strategically chose one flower on the skirt to decorate. The teal and the pink were so different from each other, though similar in tone. I used the pink flower to connect the skirt to the shirt, and the embroidery thread on the skirt to match the skirt to the shirt. Now the dress looks coordinated. I attached my embroidery hoop and spent a few hours enmeshed in the act of attaching beads and thread. I LOVE this process of handstitching because it’s so relaxing.

I think I’ve been on a roll with refashioning lately, because it’s yet another way of coping with all the grief associated with our daughter’s accident and injuries. I don’t think I’ll ever stop being thankful that she survived and is doing OK.

Receive updates and a free handmade bookmark?

Your best e-mail address:

Yes, please, Colleen!