Burda Style For people who sew

I refashioned a skirt today, that I had bought for two dollars at a second hand clothing store.

I bought the skirt, because the fabric was of a good quality and the existing cut (fitted around the hips extending to A-line) was promising, although it had a few problems. The skirt facing was too bulky and someone had obviously shortend the skirt previously – to an awkward length: mid calf. I suspect it originally was a long skirt.

I adjusted the facing and shortened the skirt length to the narrowest part of my legs, somewhere around the knees. I made a 6 cm wide hem.

When I did the alterations, I noticed that the skirt had been altered previously in various parts (not just the length). I noticed the diffent colour tones of sewing thread and different types of stitching that had been used on this garment.

I had been wondering how a size 12 did fit my size 10! The (however many) previous alterations explain this!

Now – I wonder how many more times this skirt might get changed. And how many times do you alter your garments before you cut them up for appliques or quilt squares?

How many lives does a garment have?

Jun 30, 2009, 04.57 PM by buzzybee

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  Aug 16, 2009, 05.04 PMby mrsjoker

  So glad we’re still recycling and reusing. My mom talks about making kids clothes from the parts of the adult clothing that was’nt worn out or even taking off the skirt to a dress and turning it so the the worn places in the back were now the front to be covered from an apron. Then when the good pieces were to small for clothes it became quilts. I tend to buy used and only alter hemlines or buy for the fabric and make something for my granddaughters
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  Aug 16, 2009, 09.39 PMby oonaballoona

  lately I’ve been recycling my botched sewing projects— now that I have a little more knowledge, it’s so satisfying to fix or refashion what would’ve stayed balled up in the closet. great and thoughtful post, buzzybee!
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  Aug 17, 2009, 02.20 AMby buzzybee

  MRSJOKER, I have heard of family stories of unraveling old jumpers and knitting kids clothes with that wool. Recently I turned the bottom tier of a skirt inside out. I had a bleach stain that was only showing on the outside. Luckily the fabric was the same on both sides – which isn’t always the case. oonaballoona – I have been thinking of having another go at some of my early sewing projects, too. But as they mostly look bad on the inside it is not on top of my list. Also, when I pick them up thinking “maybe I should change this” I’ll leave it in the end, since those pieces represent some of my early sewing achievements! I have to say though, these are the ones that weren’t completely messed up. I have some of those too…