SKIRT REFASHION: Third time's a charm

THREE REFASHIONS: ONE BLACK SKIRT

During one free weekend, I decided to work on a few skirts that needed some extra attention. I absolutely love this roomy black skirt that I had found on clearance about a year ago. The skirt – nicknamed Andersen August – was too long for my short little legs and too big for my fat waist (oxymoron?). No big deal because I was pretty sure my beginner and limited sewing skills could somehow remedy the minor flaws.

SECOND REFASHION: ADD HIGH WAISTBAND

During the first skirt refashion, I had created a modest slit to make the skirt more flowy and breezy and less “this skirt is too long for my short legs.” I wore the skirt a few times with the minor modification, but I knew I could do better.

GOODBYE, PRETTY WAISTBAND

After studying one DIY skirt tutorial, I decided to add a high waistband with ties (the second refashion). I don’t remember too much about the process of adding a new waistband and creating cute ties to match. I wore the skirt a few times with the new waistband, but I still felt the skirt was still too big and the waistband and ties were too bunchy and kind of weird.

HELLO, NEW PRETTY WAISTBAND

So during my “I have nothing better to do” weekend, I decided to try the easy elastic waistband method that I’ve read on several different blogs and tutorials. I found 2-inch black elastic at my favorite fabric store along with some other items that were either on sale or clearance (I love a good deal).

BLACK SKIRT + CAMERA PHONE = VERY POOR RESULTS

I wrapped the black elastic around the area I wanted it to rest on me – the tummy area. From all the tutorials I had read, I couldn’t remember what measurements I needed to take to make sure the elastic would fit so I just “chanced” it. Expert sewers are probably mentally screaming at me, “Noooo! Find the tutorial! Take the measurements, you idiot!” Sorry, my laziness kicks into overdrive on the weekends.

Once the elastic was pinned to the skirt, I started sewing! Yay! I actually sewed two zig-zag lines – one close to the bottom elastic border and the second just a few centimeters above the first one. Annnnnnd, the skirt fits me perfectly!!! PERFECTLY!!! Cue the fireworks! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! The length is perfect. The elastic waistband is perfect. The drape of the skirt is beautiful. I could probably twirl around in the skirt for hours. I am so happy I could successfully pull off the 2-inch elastic waistband method!

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Jennifer Elliott