This week I'll be sharing a couple of refashions that I've been working on. First up, this knit dress a la Target last fall...
It was $10 on clearance, and I loved the stripes. Problem was that it was too short. Since it had an empire waist I figured that I could make a skirt of it that would be the perfect length. If that didn't exactly work, well I'd have some good striped knit to do something else with. So I bought it, and it's been in my closet waiting for a free creative moment.
The Deconstruct
Cut the top away from the skirt at the empire seam.
Cut off the sleeves.
Using the top portion, cut just under the arm holes.
Cut off the side seams and square up edges. You'll have two rectangles to use for your waistband.
The Reconstruct
To make the waistband, take both of the rectangles and fold them in half (long edge to long edge).
With the folded edge at the top, cut a diagonal starting at the bottom corner going up and in one inch from the top edge.
Do this to both edges of both rectangle pieces.
Open both pieces and with right sides together pin the sides.
Serge both sides.
Fold waistband in half wrong sides together. Pin together each side seam on the raw edge. These seams will be East and West on your waistband.
Match the side seams together in the middle and smooth out the waistband. Put a pin on the raw edge in the fold on either side. These will be North and South. Add a few extra pins to keep the raw edge of your waistband together.
Your waistband is now ready to attach to the skirt portion. You'll be sewing the raw edge of the waistband to the skirt.
Using the same method as above find North, South, East, and West on your skirt and mark with pins.
Turn the skirt wrong side out and place the waistband inside. Match the raw edge North, South, East, and West points to the waistband and pin in place. Then pin in between these points all the way around the waistband.
Serge all the way around.
Turn right side out, press seam toward skirt, and you're done.
Wear it with pride!
