Weekend sewing project and portraits with my buddy

[Kiwibird]

When I went through my closet, I re-discovered a pair of jeans my friend, er, "encouraged" me to buy several years ago that I never wore. Ya, apparently this (pricey) brand was SUPPOSE to flatter your figure. HA! And when I thought about listing them on ebay, I discovered they could only resell for about ten bucks (they cost over 100!). Anyways, I decided to up cycle them instead into a cute skirt instead. They look about a million times better as a skirt than they ever did as jeans, and now I'll get some use out of them! And I actually got my husband to take some nice pictures for my mom, which I have neglected to do for quite a while, since I hate being in photos (I'm about the least photogenic person ever). Anyways, these aren't the worse "portraits" they could be and the skirt is actually really nice!

These are supposedly "figure flattering" and "looked great" (I more thought they were too short and made me look disproportionate):

Converted into a skirt:

And my favorites, me n my buddy

(yes, that is Kiwi accepting a under-beak pet!)

Offering up some kisses

We are going to miss hanging out outside when summer ends!

 

[getwozzy]

WOWWWWWWW!!!! You did a really great job, April!!!! Awesome skirt!!

(And kiwi looks handsome too [emoji6])

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Good job on the skirt

 

[RavensGryf]

Wow is right!!! I mean, I knew you were super talented and all... But I can't believe HOW you even did that!! :11: That's just amazing April!

 

[Featheredsamurai]

that's amazing!! the skirt looks really good

 

[Betrisher]

Oh YES!!! I agree: the original jeans were shaped funny (NB. You, April are not!). Turning them into a skirt was a brilliant solution and the skirt is a really nice one. It flatters you and is so much more feminine. Well done!

Questions: were you able to glean enough fabric out of the lower legs to fill in the front and back panels and make the ruffle or did you have to harvest some denim from somewhere else? Was the ruffle difficult to stitch onto the bottom (thickness of fabric)? What thread and needle did you use in your machine? (I never think to swap to a denim needle 'cause I'm usually too lazy or too keen on getting started to do it).

You should make a matching tote bag out of another pair of jeans just to complete the ensemble!

Also: can we please have a pic of the lovely quilt on your bed??? Please???

PS. Kiwi is GORGEOUS! He's so green and healthy-looking and BIG! Barney and Madge send their regards, as does Dominic.

 

[Allee]

Beautiful work, April! The skirt is really cute, and that guy sharing your balcony is very handsome! Did you make the quilt by any chance?

 

[faeryphoebe1]

Wow, looks better than store bought! Very cool.

 

[Kiwibird]

Thanks everyone! I was pretty pleased with how it came out I like skirts and dresses and wear them more than jeans anyways.

The quilt on the bed was a cheapie I got on sale at Wal-Mart a few years ago lol. It's not even a quilt, the "quilted pieces" are printed on. Just cute for fall. I did make a quilt a few years ago though. Not quite as complex, but it did get so big (for a queen bed) I had to finish at my mom's house. The fruit print attracted over a very confused "visitor" who thought she hit the jackpot I can't honestly say I'll ever be tempted to quilt again (gained a lot of respect for those who do those incredibly complex designs!). Clothing and miscellaneous home stuff is more my thing.

And Trish- I cut the jeans off at the knee, so I did have enough to piece in the same denim from the bottom of the jeans and could have hemmed it there. I had to buy extra denim of a similar (enough) color to make the ruffle. 1/2 yd did a nice 3" wide ruffle. I used a a jeans top stitching thread that was the same mustard-like color as normal jeans and just used a heavy fabric needle (but I know they make specific denim ones). My machine is quite old, basic (i.e. no fancy mechanics inside that cause issues) and pretty much sews anything I run through it with little complaint. I have a roller foot for thicker fabrics, so it had no problem handling the denim (I've done thicker on it). I did baste everything first as my machine does not like pins (nor do my fingers!). And in keeping with how the jeans were made, I double stitched everything. It's a fun project actually!

 

[Betrisher]

OooO! I love your fruity-veggetty quilt! I especially like the peace symbols lurking in the corners. They really appeal to an aging hippie like meself. I think everyone has a cheater quilt (that's what it's called when the patchwork is printed on rather than pieced together) and yours is pretty.

The top-stitching was a brilliant idea - I wouldn't have thought of that, but of course it would make the whole garment 'hang together' and look even more professional. My dear daughter volunteers at our local thrift shop, so maybe she can find a pair of nice jeans just begging to be turned into a skirt?

I wish you'd give quilting another try! The patchworking part is the fun bit. I really dislike the quilting, but it's a necessary evil I, s'pose. Check out the Missouri Star Quilt Company on YouTube for pretty but easy ideas that work up very quickly. I like to enable my friends to begin quilting. It's so GOOD for you! My latest fetish has been making bags. I did a large waterproof nappy bag for my niece when her little boy was born and then made a cunningly folding tote bag for a friend. Then, I made a really pretty handbag for my daughter out of a dark blue cat-flavoured fabric. She likes it so much, now I have to make a matching dress to go with it! Hmph! See? Quilting doesn't have to turn just into quilts: it can turn into lots of other things as well.

 

[Kiwibird]

Trish- You should meet my mom! Also a "original" hippy (as she calls it)

I'm working on holiday projects now, so I won't be doing any more "fun" things that are complex like quilts for some time! And if you find a pair of jeans and get additional denim for the ruffle, you could even do one like this:

Super cute denim ruffle skirt | sewing | Pinterest

Or one of these:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/106587409/delarosa-victorian-summer-ruffle-denim?ref=market
https://www.etsy.com/listing/76299452/custom-order-to-your-size-front-ruffle?ref=related-0

I thought these were also cool designs! Lots of interesting denim skirt designs out there I might try the flower one, but I only have one other pair of jeans and I do wear them, so I can't cut them up. But maybe after the holiday craziness is over, I'll check out goodwill for a pair to try the flower ruffle

 

[Terry57]

April, your skirt is adorable! And your hair is just gorgeous

 

[Betrisher]

Thanks for the links, April! I love the ruffled skirts! I really do feel I like the flower one best, but I can almost hear my daughter shrieking 'I won't wear that!' Still, I can but try. Repurposing clothes is so much easier than starting from scratch.