Roses for Dinner

How to make a man's dress shirt into a skirt

2012-01-20T08:41:00.000-08:00

Here is the shirt. I had already cut off one sleeve before I remembered to take a picture. But you can't really tell, can you? So go ahead and cut off those sleeves. Don't cut both thicknesses at once, just snip into it and then stick your scissors in and follow the seam.

Now you want to cut off the collar. Use a straight edge to cut off the top of the shirt.

Cut all the way down the side seams. Then you can cut off the old seam so your new seams won't be so thick.

I had a little bit of the back yoke left and you don't want that, so cut it off.

My shirt had a pleat in the back, so I used my ripper to rip out those stitches.

I cut off the old sleeve seams, but it really wasn't necessary. You'll get rid of them when you trim your seams.

Now make sure the buttons are all buttoned up and lay the front fabric on top of the back fabric. They won't line up perfectly, but that's okay. Just do the best you can to keep both pieces straight across (matching grains).

Here's how mine looked. The points of the underarms didn't match up, but it doesn't matter.

Now pin the sides in as straight a line as you can and sew your new seam. Do the same on the other side. You want to be as perpendicular to the bottom as you can so your seams won't curve or slant. They're hard to steam open when they're not straight up and down.

You'll have a huge seam allowance in some places where the fabric at the bottom is wider than the top. Trim it to about 5/8", but don't worry if it's not perfect. You can use only the bottom part of the fabric if you want and it will work out a lot straighter and you can preserve more of the fabric for a fuller skirt. I used the top because I wanted to keep the little pocket that was on the original shirt!

Now turn down the top edge and sew it under a little less than half an inch. Make sure you're not hitting a button. You might want to trim the top to make sure that your skirt top starts with a little space in the placket and not a button!

Now turn it down another inch or less and sew, leaving a space for inserting the elastic.

I stopped sewing here so I will have a little space for the elastic to go in. I trimmed my seam very close for an inch or two from the top so it wouldn't get in the way of the safety pin going through the casing. Trim both seams close. It makes things a lot easier!

Stick a safety pin through your elastic so you have something to hang onto as a guide to pulling your elastic through the waist. Don't pull it all the way or you have to start all over! You want two ends to sew together. Do this with a needle and thread or use the machine. It doesn't matter which. Just make sure your ends are secure and that the elastic isn't twisted.

Now cut off the bottom to a length you like. You want the back of the skirt to be a little longer than the front to allow for butt stickoutage. Turn up the bottom edge a little bit and sew, then turn up an inch or two for a hem.

Here's how it should look. See how I left room above the first button? And I pulled the back up a little higher than the front before I cut off the bottom to make sure it hangs right when my butt is in there!

I cut off the original buttons because they were boring. I got some brightly colored buttons out of my button jar and sewed them on in the same places where I cut off the old ones. You don't need to really use the buttons to get your skirt on, so it's okay if the buttons are bigger than the button holes. I kept the button on the pocket because I want the pocket to remain functional.

Here it is on me. (Sorry, my sons don't like taking pictures for me so I couldn't be picky about quality!) This was a neat learning garment. Not sure I will ever actually wear it, but I did figure out some things that I will do next time to make a skirt that I will really like!

And here's how it started out again.

Afterthoughts:

1) My church's clothes closet sells every article of clothing for 25 cents, so I can make a skirt for a quarter! I could use two coordinating shirts and use one for a band around the bottom or contrasting front pockets. Goodwill organizes shirts by color, so you will have all the best combinations already there for you, but don't limit yourself. I'm in love with the idea of a sage green print with a solid black band. Beware that Goodwill is not cheap anymore.

2) Look through catalogs to find skirts that you like before you start and copy them. Then you won't end up making a skirt that seemed like a good idea at first, but that you really don't want to wear.

3) The next time I go to the clothes closet I will look for corduroy shirts so I can make a skirt to wear in winter. Plaids are cute, but be careful not to get something that looks too "school uniform."

4) The bigger the shirt, the more fabric you get and the price is the same! Get a huge shirt and you can cut off the placket and seam the two pieces together and use the front of the shirt for the back of the skirt. I don't see why you couldn't make a waistband and put in a zipper if you want! But you'd end up spending money on a zipper unless you have some stashed away.

5) The sleeves from a short-sleeve shirt would be perfect for side pockets. If I find some corduroy I want to try this. You might be able to use long sleeves for something else like a waistband or yoke.

6) The ugliest men's shirts can be the prettiest choices for a skirt. Hawaiian shirts often have no back yoke and therefore yield more fabric. Buy a big one! And don't worry about a frayed collar - you don't want the collar anyway. Missing buttons are no problem, either, if you're going to replace them with better ones.

7) Think of your thrift store or hand me down bags as a huge and inexpensive fabric store. It's fun! Next you'll be redesigning women's dresses. Buy the big ones!

A Pox on Walmart

2011-06-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

The thing all of us in the accelerated nursing program have in common is that we all already have degrees in other things. One girl in our group is a pharmacist at Walmart. At lunch the other day she was telling the rest of us how Walmart treats their employees. I won't go into details here, but as a result of our lunchtime discussion I have decided I will at least try not to shop there as much.

When I took B to work at Brookshires the other day, I followed him in and purchased some things that I normally would have gotten at Walmart. I spent $20.45.

I took my receipt to Walmart and checked the prices of the same items there. I interpolated for the sugar substitute, since the Walmart package had more in it, and I gave Walmart the benefit of the doubt on the chips since they don't even have them in the store. I assumed they would be the same price if they were available.

Brookshire's

Cape Cod chips.............................2.50
Folgers coffee.............................9.49
Splenda....................................7.29
Store brand bread..........................1.59
Hothouse tomato............................1.58

Total.....................................20.45

Walmart

Cape Cod chips (not available)..............2.50
Folgers coffee.............................14.78
Splenda.....................................5.94
Store brand bread...........................1.08
Anemic-looking tomato.........................85

Total......................................25.15

Brookshire's won this one because of the coffee. Also, the selection was better.

Chair Project

2010-04-10T09:49:00.000-07:00

My parents bought two matching rockers from Tell City in the seventies. This one was recovered several years ago by a professional reupholsterer. It's okay, but very dark and still quite Early American looking.

This one still has its original skirt. EXTREMELY Early American!

Here is the original chair with its skirt removed. It has been sanded.

Here is one chair primed. The white primer gives a hint of what they will look like painted white or another light color.

I liked the idea of a black and white toile on the back cushion and skirt, with a pink seat cushion, like the pretty little chair Kelly @ Much To Do With Nothing did. But I want to get away from the Early American look so I think a black and white, or brown and white Anthropologie type print would be better. Not quite to the point of choosing fabrics, though.

Wild Animals in My Closet!

2010-04-08T19:12:00.000-07:00

When I put on my Easter shoes, they hurt my feet. So I took them back today and got these!

I don't need them. I don't even know what I will wear with them. But I love them!

I almost bought pink plaid peep toe pumps, but the plaids weren't placed the same on both shoes and I knew it would really bother me.

I have gone shoe crazy. Zebra stripes with pink heels! What do I wear with them?

Another Project?

2010-03-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

This is a Felicity dress I started a LONG time ago and have never been able to finish. I am posting a picture of it here to see if it will shame me into working on it. I can't seem to think of a trim or color that would give it enough pizazz that someone would want it.

I'm at a standstill. At this point I would rather just finish it any old how. If you have any ideas for spicing it up let me know. If I could just get it hemmed and put the velcro in I'd be ecstatic. Then I could add something pretty or fluffy and be done!

I want to work on another dress, but won't let myself until I finish this one.

What's On Your Nightstand?

2010-03-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

I saw this at vintage simple.

And here's my nightstand. I can show it only because I cleaned my room yesterday.

The book is "Lost Moon" by Jim Lovell. I'm reading it aloud to the boys.

The roses are from my boyfriend, just because he's like that.

There's my phone and an odd candle that I should probably throw away. And a lamp that I study by (or look at magazines by). An eyeglasses case from Goodwill - ha! Bible. The letter "T" paper weight. A highliter that I use to study. And that's my table. I don't know what it says about me except that "this little table is fairly neat right now, it must be a miracle!"

Scrapped

2010-03-13T16:53:00.000-08:00

I decided to do some fun mindless things on this project, like cutting off the buttons,

...and ripping out the side seams...

Then I shaped up the armholes, using the pattern pieces from that vintage patern. As you can see, the original armholes are so huge that I couldn't really cut the curve of the new ones. I fudged on the angle so I could get at least part of the curve. I thought maybe I could fiddle with the seam allowances and make it work.

I pinned in one of the sleeves and tried it on. As you can see, the fudging I did took up all the fullness of the bodice. I didn't foresee that the different sleeve shapes would be such a problem. I could have added gussets or pieced the fabric to get the right amount for the new sleeve, but that started feeling like drudgery. I have officially scrapped this project. The light blue will make perfect doll aprons for Kirsten someday!

Lesson learned: You can't really adapt a man's sleeve to a woman's because, even though there is more fabric in the shirt, it has been cut AWAY more in the armhole.

Let's all cry together. Wah!

Thinking

2010-03-07T13:54:00.000-08:00

I considered this shirt as fabric for a pleated ruffle. But it has no black in it. I, non-designer that I am, think that would be a problem in a dress with black buttons. I didn't buy it.

I didn't buy anything. The furniture room was practically empty except for this chair that had already been purchased and that this other lady really wanted and argued about for several minutes while I was there.

Give up, lady. Somebody else already bought it!

There were a couple of TV's and an ugly TV table. Bleah.

The other Goodwill in town is just as bleak. I think all the nouveau poor are buying things at Goodwill. I think the old poor should have priority.

It's hideous, isn't it? But it would make a good ruffle. heh

And here is a picture I uploaded by mistake, but it's kind of cute. From the night I took my boys bowling. One of the boys is not in the picture because he was... well, bowling.

I took an allergy pill and slept for a day and a half. I have not sewed or washed clothes or done any dishes. Just slept and studied.

More little stuff

2010-03-03T18:34:00.000-08:00

Here is the pattern I got the sleeve from. I had to search through all my patterns to find one. I've gotten rid of a lot of patterns so this is THE only short sleeve I have. It's a fun, vintage pattern I probably bought at a garage sale.

I spent good money on buttons. But not much! I like the shank buttons. They're shiny and very black, like little eyes! They'll show up much better than matte buttons with holes. The seam binding is for the bottoms of the sleeves. I'm toying with the idea of a ruffle around the bottom, too.

And this is the lovely salad I had today. I tried to copy the one I ate at Chili's the other night and I think I did pretty well. I couldn't eat it fast enough!

I spent a good part of the day dealing with the Navy. They're not real welcoming to homeschooled kids. They're putting us through hoops. And I had to study today. So no sewing.

Little things

2010-03-01T18:28:00.001-08:00

I ripped out the shoulder seams...

...and gathered the front sections.

And now I'm cutting new sleeves out of the old ones.

Amputation

2010-02-27T15:55:00.000-08:00

I finally cut off the arms. Yay.

Next I will rip out the shoulder seams and gather the front sections a little to make them softer and more feminine. I think I have plenty of room since the shoulders are way too wide. I need to find a sleeve pattern and some black buttons.

Snow Day!

2010-02-12T14:07:00.000-08:00

This project has been put on hold in view of the fact that it snowed here and that has been our major focus today!

But here are some idea dresses:

Oh, it's not a dress, but very cute! Just for fun.

And this is sort of plain, but might help me figure some stuff out.

I love the black trim on this one.

And this one is adorable, but I'd have to cut up the entire shirt to make the ruffles!

The First Step

2010-02-11T16:58:00.000-08:00

I meant to bring my camera to Goodwill, but I didn't know I was going until I got out of lab early. I went to see if they still had a headboard and footboard that I saw on Tuesday. They didn't. But they did have my chambray shirt:

If the boys weren't all outside having a snowball fight I would get someone to take a picture of it on me. You could see how long it is and decide whether you think it could be a dress or not.

And I got a lamp for one of the boys. It's cute, isn't it? $2.99. He can read with the overhead light off now.

2010-02-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

So now I'm wanting to buy a really big man's chambray shirt and make a little dress out of it. The sleeves I could cut apart and make cap sleeves from. Slim it up on the sides and make the armholes smaller. I can leave the placket and collar intact, maybe, leaving some buttons unbuttoned. Cut off the tails and hem.

Well, now I'm thinking plaid or stripe. To really look like a man's shirt.

Just an idea.

I hung a gilt mirror over my black 60's dresser. It's too small, but I like the look. So now I'm on the hunt for a big, fancy mirror.

Typical Bargain Day

2010-02-07T06:41:00.001-08:00

I discovered a consignment store on Thursday after class. It's brand new and they had a lot of nice things on sale. It looks like a good place to take things, too.

I replaced the black knitted bolero I lost. ALso found a short-sleeved BROWN one. I would love to just completely switch over to BROWN! (Is is possible to live without black, though? nah)

A pink and orange striped cashmere sweater!

A top that does not look good on me, but will on daughter. Hope we stay the same size. It sure is handy for shopping!

Should have bought the little leopard print bag.

Dang it!

Friends

2010-02-03T19:07:00.000-08:00

I finally met daughter's new friend tonight. She's gorgeous. I wonder if she will let me dress her up, too?

Note to self: find cowboy boots and hat for someone to wear with a little sundress!

Another note to self: Go study!

Our First Photo Shoot

2010-02-02T20:12:00.000-08:00

On today's visit to Goodwill I found a man's striped sweater that I fell in love with! Also, a purple plaid top that I have no idea what will match with.

Anyways, I was driving home and got this idea for an outfit. As soon as I walked in the door I started throwing clothes at daughter, saying, "Put them on quick. The light's going!"

And then I made her put on the men's sweater.

And then I found another funny little thing for her to try. (Where are these things coming from? she asks. I say, I keep things I have a feeling about, ha.)

I'm so excited to have a model. Thanks, daughter! Isn't she cute?

A Bowl and some Fashion

2010-01-31T12:01:00.000-08:00

And then there were three...

Three children. Two bowls deep enough to cook oatmeal in the microwave without it boiling over and making a huge mess. Constant turmoil.

Can you tell which one I brought home from the resale shop yesterday?

This is a little outfit I put together this morning to take the kids to Sunday School. It was really cold, so I put the sweatshirt on over the tank top and it lost some of its charm. I'm sorry I don't have a picture of me actually wearing the outfit, but all my photographers were at Sunday School by the time I thought of it.

Raiders sweatshirt: Walmart circa 1980 something. Tank top: University coop. Cut off sweatpants: ???. Blue slippers: Christmas gift from my lovely daughter.

Simple Question

2010-01-30T21:56:00.000-08:00

If you know someone who is a single mother, do you think you should try to help her or try to make her life harder?

You'd be surprised how many people choose the wrong answer.

Missing Sweaters

2010-01-29T11:48:00.000-08:00

I must just leave sweaters lying around everywhere.

I have been noticing how many of my sweaters have disappeared in the last year or so. I used to have a black, lacy, crocheted bolero sweater that was so pretty and I wore it with everything.

I used to have another black sweater, a short sort of crossover with a double breasted band at the bottom.

There was also a natty little brown zip up hoodie with sleeves that covered my hands.

They're all gone now and I'm sad about it. No telling where I left them.

Yes, they all came from Goodwill. Well, okay, the black bolero might have been in a bag that someone gave me. I can't remember.

A Good Goodwill Story

2010-01-28T18:53:00.000-08:00

I will not, I repeat - WILL NOT - allow myself to use the reading glasses from my purse while I'm at home. I don't want to get to class (or a restaurant with tiny print menus) and not have glasses. So imagine my chagrin when I opened my glasses case this morning and found it empty!

Goodwill Girl? Did you use your purse glasses at home?

Luckily we got out of lecture early and I had time before lab to race down to Goodwill and buy some more reading glasses for $1.99.

You just can't hardly beat that. I saw them next to the register on Tuesday. ha!

Goodwill to the rescue.

And now I have three pairs. One for the bathroom, I suppose. Such luxury!

2010-01-27T09:11:00.000-08:00

I just checked out "Lost Moon" from the library. It is our next read-aloud book. Is Jim Lovell anyone else's hero?

Must convince myself to study today. I'm interested in anatomy, but I want to read what I want to read, not what we're having a quiz over. What a rebel!

Goodwill Trip

2010-01-26T13:25:00.000-08:00

Hot Tempered Tunic - $1.20

Large boys' button-down - $2.15

Size 8 wedges - $2.99

Size 8 1/2 sandals - $3.99

Size 7 wedges - $3.99

Leather belt - $1.99

Old Navy bag, new with tags - $1.99

Victoria's Secret bag - $2.49

Size 6 cotton spandex skirt - $3.29

Size 8 cotton skirt - $2.50.

Extra small blouse, new with tags - $2.15.

Medium woven cotton tee - $4.29

Petite small Vera Wang - $1.65

Old Navy tee - $3.29

2010-01-25T10:27:00.000-08:00

I guess when you turn fifty you can post a picture of yourself in a too short dress. Ha!

2010-01-22T13:41:00.001-08:00

Quote of the day: "Don't mock tightie whities."

2010-01-22T06:30:00.000-08:00

It's Friday. That means no school, but lots of studying and getting people where they're supposed to be tonight.

The sun is shining. The jeans are drying on the porch rail. I got a call yesterday from the lady who wanted to upload my official information so I can start teaching.

New shoes and a dress that's too short. I don't think I will look like a teacher tonight. Which reminds me: I need teacher clothes. Long skirts and sensible shoes.

2010-01-21T13:24:00.000-08:00

For my birthday I will dress like I'm half my age. And eat a lot. And dance. That's the most important thing, the dancing. Well, that and the tee-shirt-like dress.

Fall Days

2010-01-21T04:46:00.000-08:00

Looking for a) job b) house c) real friends.

2010-01-20T15:06:00.000-08:00

I am using shoe blogs for comfort. Love, also. I thought I had put it back in the closet, but I found it in the crack of the couch yesterday.