Here is what you will need:
- A pair of pleated trousers
- Scissors
- Elastic
- Seam ripper
- Thread (same color as trouser)
- Sewing machine
- Tape measure
- Pins
- Chalk
Procedure:
1. Decide how long you want your skirt to be. It should be above the knee but not too short since this style rides up a bit while walking. Add 2" to that measurement to allow for the elastic to which we will sew to the hem to create that bubble effect. Fold pants, measure and cut.
2. Remove the inseam stitch using a seam ripper. Sew fronts of legs together at Center Front seam and backs together at Center Back, mimicking the original seam.
3. Measure length of elastic. Should be long enough to walk comfortably, but short enough to create a cool gathered effect. Add 1" to overlap the ends when you sew them together.
4. Sew the elastic ends together, overlapping 1".
5. "Quarter" the elastic into 4 equal sections, marking with pins or chalk. Pin to the bottom of the skirt on the inside folding 1/2" of fabric from the bottom of the skirt over the edge of the elastic and lining up the pins on quartered elastic with the four seams of the skirt (2 sides, center front and center back). Elastic should be narrower than the skirt bottom.
6. Sew elastic, stretching it as you sew and using zigzag stitches.
7. Turn over and sew again using zigzag stitches. And voila!
Love, Gloria's Closet
Monday, November 2, 2009
Upcycling!
"Out with the old and in with the new", they say. But, how about taking the old and making it new? Now there's a concept worth looking into. In this economy, every little bit helps. Some pretend that the economy is doing great and continue to shop away. Some choose to shop their closets and add a few fashion pieces to it. Others choose not to shop at all which we do not recommend- there is nothing more depressing then wearing the exact same outfits as last season. No matter which category you fall under, here is something that you might want to consider: upcycling! Upcycling is recycling your clothes upward! "How?" you ask. Our latest contributor, Gloria's closet, will help you embrace the upcycler in you. Follow her as she tells you how to make a bubble skirt from a pair of old pleated trousers. 
Here is what you will need:
- A pair of pleated trousers
- Scissors
- Elastic
- Seam ripper
- Thread (same color as trouser)
- Sewing machine
- Tape measure
- Pins
- Chalk
Procedure:
1. Decide how long you want your skirt to be. It should be above the knee but not too short since this style rides up a bit while walking. Add 2" to that measurement to allow for the elastic to which we will sew to the hem to create that bubble effect. Fold pants, measure and cut.
2. Remove the inseam stitch using a seam ripper. Sew fronts of legs together at Center Front seam and backs together at Center Back, mimicking the original seam.
3. Measure length of elastic. Should be long enough to walk comfortably, but short enough to create a cool gathered effect. Add 1" to overlap the ends when you sew them together.
4. Sew the elastic ends together, overlapping 1".
5. "Quarter" the elastic into 4 equal sections, marking with pins or chalk. Pin to the bottom of the skirt on the inside folding 1/2" of fabric from the bottom of the skirt over the edge of the elastic and lining up the pins on quartered elastic with the four seams of the skirt (2 sides, center front and center back). Elastic should be narrower than the skirt bottom.
6. Sew elastic, stretching it as you sew and using zigzag stitches.
7. Turn over and sew again using zigzag stitches. And voila!
Love, Gloria's Closet
Here is what you will need:
- A pair of pleated trousers
- Scissors
- Elastic
- Seam ripper
- Thread (same color as trouser)
- Sewing machine
- Tape measure
- Pins
- Chalk
Procedure:
1. Decide how long you want your skirt to be. It should be above the knee but not too short since this style rides up a bit while walking. Add 2" to that measurement to allow for the elastic to which we will sew to the hem to create that bubble effect. Fold pants, measure and cut.
2. Remove the inseam stitch using a seam ripper. Sew fronts of legs together at Center Front seam and backs together at Center Back, mimicking the original seam.
3. Measure length of elastic. Should be long enough to walk comfortably, but short enough to create a cool gathered effect. Add 1" to overlap the ends when you sew them together.
4. Sew the elastic ends together, overlapping 1".
5. "Quarter" the elastic into 4 equal sections, marking with pins or chalk. Pin to the bottom of the skirt on the inside folding 1/2" of fabric from the bottom of the skirt over the edge of the elastic and lining up the pins on quartered elastic with the four seams of the skirt (2 sides, center front and center back). Elastic should be narrower than the skirt bottom.
6. Sew elastic, stretching it as you sew and using zigzag stitches.
7. Turn over and sew again using zigzag stitches. And voila!
Love, Gloria's Closet
