CYCLIN' SUNDAY skirt to bag

Hello, Eleanor here.

I can't resist patterned corduroy, whether straight off the bolt, or made up, so whenever I see a little girl's skirt at a car boot sale or charity shop, I snap it up (while wishing I was 40 years younger).

Here's my first before re-fashioning:

It had too much fullness, so I made tucks at the base, which, whilst reducing the width, kept a good capacity. The handle is a length of leather from an old belt, punched with a hole through which to attach buttons.

The skirt was lined, so I just had a few seams to stitch, closing up the bottom hems, a couple of buttons to sew on and it was done!

I had another skirt tucked away, a little more challenging:

but I love the pattern and the embroidery at the waist so much that I thought it was worth tackling.

I needed to take out the elastication, and construct a strap. I removed the bottom couple of inches, including the orange lace strip, and found some acid green broderie anglaise. I chose some matching buttons, and attached the strap

and magnetic closure before stitching the bottom edge (curving the corners), and adding a simple lining.

I love it:

I popped into a local charity shop recently and found this, for £1.25!

Watch this space.

Bye for now.

 

 

 

Comments

[Handmadebyclairebear]

I love upcycling skirts into bags, but I had my eye on a bigger (adult-size) skirt that wouldn't possibly fit me. It is now a great shoulder bag with loads of space. I hope you are loving your skirt/bags as miuch as I love mine.
ClaireBear

http://handmadebyclairebear.com/2012/04/14/upcycle-project-skirt-into-shoulder-bag/

[Lynne]

Gorgeous bags, you make me want to go and find a skirt to make into a bag now.

[Erika]

Eleanor love your bags and a great idea for recycling.
Hugs Erika.

[Scrapdolly]

don't sew, can't sew, don't like the thought of sewing ....
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...
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so how come every sewing post you do makes me want to sew!!!

I love them. They are so pretty

[Bev]

Wow I absolutely love this idea and can't wait to rifle through the garage for my daughter old skirts! Thanks for sharing!