Saturday, November 29, 2008

skirt tricks

One of my professors in fashion design school used to say, "Fashion is evolutionary, not revolutionary." I loved that. I was reminded of it when I mentioned "anthropolizing" my skirt...as in making it Anthropologie-like. We've seen retailers emulate trends that have originated with the handmade/DIY movement. In turn we look to them and reinterpret the concept again, each in our own way. And on it goes...

I bought this plaid skirt a few years ago at Ann Taylor Loft. Nice enough. But it was time for it to "evolve". :)

I dug into my stash of felted sweater scraps in cream, tan, and brown. I drew some freehand flowers onto the paper side of Heat-n-Bond fusible webbing, then fused them to the back of the scraps with a hot iron. Next I trimmed the flowers out, following my pencil lines. I laid out the skirt, peeled the paper off the backs of the flowers, then arranged them on the skirt. Once I was happy with the arrangement, I covered them with a press cloth and fused the felty flowers to the skirt. A few random buttons, a little yarn stitching...

Just add tights, boots and a chunky sweater! That's what I'm talkin' about. Cozy, stylish, and one of a kind.

Oh, one more thing. A big shout out to Julie M, winner of my Customer Appreciation Give-Away! Congratulations!

25 comments:

Cicada Studio said...

Rock on- looks great! Love that quote, too.

tam said...

Right on sister-great job!
~Tam :D

Apron Thrift Girl said...

I recently did this to a pair of cords and they definitely gave them a fun, unique side. I didn't use fusible webbing though and I think I would have made the job much easier and less shouting at my poor sewing machine as I tried to stitch around the leaves.

Carrie said...

That is so clever... and I totally love "Fashion is evolutionary, not revolutionary." I've always been completely intimidated by finding "my style" or trying to get my jewelry to be right up there with the next big fashion trend. I'm not trendy at all... not even at 15. It's so comforting to think you can take something that's simple, possibly 5 years old and just spice or spruce it up a bit to make it more "you". Save money and sanity... you totally made my day :) Thank you!

Regina said...

What a beautiful evolution! Great job!

Mytutorlist.com said...

Nice work, Betz! It looks sooo good!

Lorrie said...

The skirt looks great - very "anthropology with a Betz twist."

Lorre

bordados & bordados said...

I love to get out, and the details of it too!

Jamie said...

Wow, I LOVE IT...you are sooo creative and so very stylish! Hope you have a happy Sunday :-)

RID said...

I love it...you can wash it without problems??????

Hello, I'm Sally. said...

Very cute!

Betz White said...

Hi RID,
The skirt says Dry Clean, but I'll wash it by hand. The felted flowers are secure and already felted, so they'll be fine.
Betz

sammyjo said...

loving the skirt! actually love the whole look!

Inspired Tokens said...

Absolutely the cutiest little skirt! Love the skirt ...love the boots!

Rebecca said...

love the skirt. very fashion-ista. great idea to give a go too.

Suzanne said...

I'm surprised that the Heat-n-Bond will hold the felted flowers. I usually have to go back and topstitch around the edges.

The skirt is so, so cute. Very clever evolution.

- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

stephanie said...

I just love it!! Fantastic reformation =D

Elizabeth said...

very, very nice! what a lovely idea!

DiddleDaddleDesigns said...

So so cute.
Teresa

RID said...

Thanks for answering!

Dotty said...

that is such a lovely skirt!
I love the design, it looks like it was there when you boght it :)

Penny said...

Your skirt turned out great! Very anthropologie-esk!

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

What a great idea! It totally looks anthro! I'll be linking.

Kim said...

Love it! The final product turned out great!

Heidi Ann said...

Your skirt is now a beautiful work of art. Really fabulous.