How many lives has your skirt lived?

Before it was abandoned to the depths of the "Refashion Someday..." box, this skirt lived two lives - adding a touch of awkwardly-lengthed, wrinkled frumpiness to both my mother's wardrobe and my own. After a year of isolation, I decided it was time to give this faded skirt one last chance to contribute to the world...

It didn't really work on a maxi skirt, but I knew there was potential in the black lace around the hem. On the other hand, the elasticated waistband was in such great condition that I couldn't just pick an end and discard the rest! After deliberating about removing the middle panel and joining the two end pieces, the obvious finally occurred to me... I made two!

I removed the lace panel, which had just enough fabric for a mini skirt. I used some shoelaces from my stash for a drawstring waistband. For skirts that sit on the hips, drawstrings are so much more comfortable anyway. It's still a bit too short for activities when standing, but with tights underneath I think it'll work!

The second skirt has already become my favourite item of clothing. It is sweet and simple enough to go with almost any top, and the length is perfect. I wish I had twenty! The combination below has actually become my new unofficial waitressing/barista uniform in crazy-hot weather (perfect with a little black apron around the waist!).

 

This refashion is definitely no revelation in creativity, but it really does show how a simple change can make something better in every way!
To make up for a long life of mediocrity, my sad skirt now has double the chances of providing joy and happiness. Who knows what adventures it will have next!

New Years Resolutions

So it's 2013, the world didn't end, and my long-lost little blog begins the year with a new name, a new face, and a new-found confidence.

Later, 2012!!

A lot of people don't care much for new years resolutions - many stress that if a change is needed, why not start right away? Why instead delude ourselves into thinking that the house will be far easier to clean, and that the gym membership will be far more useful, if we wait until the first of January? This philosophy makes a lot of sense, and I envy those who need no special motivation for such things.

I, however, have always been a firm believer in procrastination.

Finding the right motivation is like searching for the right sized batteries. You know there are some in the house, but they are hidden away in a crawlspace that will only materialize once you have forgotten why it was you needed them, and have started searching for a pen instead.
And sometimes, for people like me, the romantic concept of a fresh new year is just the right motivation for all those little things that seemed just a bit too special for mid-November.

So after that lengthy justification, here are the more romantic of my resolutions for the year:

1.  I will spend more time surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Manning Valley, NSW.

Great Lakes, NSW

2. I will focus on the little details, in both my sewing and life in general.

 3. I will create things for myself with just as much care and dedication as I put into gifts for others. Every item should be beautiful, inside and out.

This shirt will have a post of its own someday!