Refashion Runway: Metallic

For this week's Refashion Runway metallic challenge, I found a pair of ultra-high-sheen, gold satin (well, polyester) curtains at the thrift shop and also pulled out a silver metallic lace skirt that's been hanging forgotten in my craft room closet following a clothes swap a couple years ago.

First, I cut the valance thing off one of the curtain panels to experiment with creating permanent press pleats by steaming with a vinegar-water mixture. Once my swatch came through the washer and dryer with pleats still intact, I used the rest of that panel to create my pleated skirt. I cut it into thirds and pieced them together into a rectangle almost 12 feet long. Then I spent hours measuring, pinning, and basting pleats before I could steam it into submission. Boy, did the house stink! After all that was finished, I installed a zipper and used the curtain's rod pocket and some interfacing to create the waistband.

While my pleated valance sample was in the wash, I distracted myself with some jewlery-making. I used the tassel salvaged from the valance - along with an old necklace that belonged my grandmother, a big glass bed, and a gold jump ring - to create a trendy necklace.

The skirt-to-shirt conversion was comparatively simple. I used a well-fitting shirt to trace out my pattern. Then I attached the lace and lining pieces to one another before assembling my new shirt. A couple bust darts gave it a more fitted look.

For more details, check out my full post on CarissaKnits, then head over to The Renegade Seamstress to see the rest of the entries and vote for your favorite!